California Republican who impeached Trump locked in tight race for reelection

A California House Republican who voted to impeach former President Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot is locked in a tight race for another term, according to a new poll.

The Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics/The Hill poll of California’s 22^nd Congressional District found GOP Rep. David Valadao trailing Democrat Rudy Salas among likely voters by 2 points, 45 percent to 47 percent, with 8 percent undecided.

Valadao is one of two Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack remaining in the House, along with Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.). The other eight House Republicans who voted to impeach the former president either declined to run for reelection or lost in the 2022 midterm elections.

Valadao defeated Salas by a few points two years ago, but will have an uphill climb this year in a blue-leaning district. The same poll showed Vice President Harris leading Trump in the district by 14 points, 56 percent to 42 percent.

The race between Valadao and Salas is one of a few rematches throughout the country happening in key House contests.

The poll’s results are an improvement for Salas compared to one from late last month that showed him and Valadao almost exactly even at 45 percent. But the lead is still within the margin of error.

California's 22nd District could be one of the pivotal contests in deciding who controls the House next year. Democrats think their road to victory could run through California and New York, where a number of vulnerable Republicans are defending their seats in otherwise blue states.

The poll was conducted from Oct. 22 to 26 among 525 likely voters. The credibility interval, similar to margin of error, was 4.2 points.