He will challenge Valadao in the 2022 Republican primary for California’s 21st Congressional District. He could end up facing former Assemblymember Nicole Parra, a Democrat, who also announced she would be running for the local congressional seat.

Mathys is the first Republican to announce a run against Valadao, many of whom have condemned the Hanford Republican for his vote in Congress impeaching President Donald Trump. Valadao was one of 10 Republicans to vote for impeachment. 

Mathys said he was “appalled” by what he referred to as Valadao’s betrayal of his supporters and Republican values when he voted with Nancy Pelosi and fellow Democrats to impeach President Donald Trump.

“Congressman Valadao voted to impeach President Trump with no witnesses, evidence, or without allowing the president a defense,” said Mathys in a press release. “Congressman Valadao and his Democrat majority voted for impeachment charges by calling all President Trump supporters white supremacists, a danger to their New Socialist agenda and wanting to end our free speech.”