Former Assembly Member and congressional aide, Nicole Parra, running to unseat Rep. Valadao

Valadao recently returned to the seat he held before being unseated by Democrat TJ Cox in 2018. This week, former Fresno City Councilman Chris Mathys, a Republican, said he too plans to run for Valadao’s seat in Congress.

“I am running for Congress because the people in the Central Valley deserve better; they deserve a representative with a proven track record and the experience and the leadership skills necessary to solve real problems,” said Parra in a press release. “As a member of the California State Assembly, I always put the needs of my district above partisan politics.”

Parra served in the State Assembly from 2002 to 2008, representing the 30th Assembly District. The Central Valley Democrat is a familiar figure in Kings County and much of the Central Valley. Her father was a longtime Kern County Supervisor. Parra also served for several years as a Hanford aide to former Congressman Calvin Dooley.

Parra said her campaign would focus on COIVD-19 Recovery, Healthcare, Energy, Water, Jobs, and Immigration in the Central Valley. 

 “Decades of public service have taught me that a member of Congress should be honest, empathetic, courageous, humble, practical, intelligent, and always be willing to put the people’s interests before their own. It is time for new leadership and a fresh approach in the 21st Congressional District.”