Former congressman, David Valadao, takes early lead in his rematch against TJ Cox

Valadao took the lead in the early stages Tuesday (November 3) of the 2020 election, outpolling Cox in Kings County 7,605 to 3,129. Cox outpolled Valadao in Kern County, amassing 5,880 votes to the challenger's 5,400, 43.7% to 40.2%.

But in a district that includes Tulare, Fresno, and Kern counties, Cox still trails 22,815 to 15,514, a considerable 53.1% to 36.1% advantage.

However, Cox faced similar challenges in 2018 and defeated Valadao in the November general election by less than 1,000 votes.

Former Rep. David Valadao

"We all know this race will be decided in November. Remember, just two short years ago, Mr. Valadao beat me in the primary by 26 points," said Cox in a press release. "We went on to victory in the general election by out-working him by being in the community, listening to the voters' needs, and promising to make a real difference in their lives."

Valadao said he was pleased with the March 3 results that put him in the early lead. "I am honored to have earned the vote of so many voters across the Central Valley," he stated in a press statement. "We built a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and No Party Preference voters throughout Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Tulare Counties who are ready to have Congress start working for them again."

He added that from water to trade to the economy, everywhere he goes, voters want politicians to put aside the partisan fights and get to work on the issues that matter. "That's exactly what I plan to do.  I look forward to earning voters' support again in November."

Cox counters that he's spent most of his term listening to the voters' needs and getting results. "Since our election, we've done just that. Just last Friday, the House passed my bill to cut health care costs by making asthma inhalers accessible to families, whether or not they've hit their insurance deductible.

"And last fall, President Trump signed my Family Farmer Relief Act into law. We passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to legalize the agricultural workforce, and we're on the way towards fixing the Friant-Kern Canal and getting water to underserved communities in the Valley. I promised results, and we delivered."