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Tuesday, Feb 07 2012 02:32 PM

Election notebook: Valadao advances toward party support

By The Bakersfield Californian

Republican state Assemblyman David Valadao advanced a step in the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee's "Young Guns" program, the committee said Tuesday.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, and two other Republican congressmen created the "Young Guns" program to elect Republicans to the House of Representatives.

Last fall, the committee promoted Valadao to "On the Radar" status in the program. Now he's moved to become a "Contender" candidate, the third step of four to getting Republican party support.

Valadao, who represents the current 30th District in the state Assembly, is running for the newly drawn 21st Congressional District, which in Kern County looks like the current 20th District.

Democrat John Hernandez, chief executive officer of the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has said he will run for the seat. Democratic state Sen. Michael Rubio dropped out of the race for family reasons.

"We are looking forward to working with David Valadao, who has already proven himself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the 'Young Guns' program that will position his campaign for victory," NRCC Chairman Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said in a press release.

In achieving 'Contender' status, Valadao met a third set of organizational and fundraising benchmarks and has begun to establish himself as a strong contender, the NRCC said in the release.

-- The Californian

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