As election day approaches, residents come nearer to determining their representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives. Three California congressional districts — the 19th, 20th and 21st — represent various parts of Fresno.
With Congressman George Radanovich retiring, California’s 19th congressional district seat is open. The district contains parts of Stanislaus, Madera and Fresno Counties, as well as all of Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties. State Senator Jeff Denham won the Republican primary in June for the opportunity to face Democratic candidate Loraine Goodwin.
Denham has represented California’s 12th senate district for eight years, and is endorsed by Radanovich. Goodwin is a physician who has never held public office. In this historically Republican district, Denham is expected to win.
California’s 20th congressional district covers parts of Fresno and Kern Counties and all of Kings County. Incumbent Jim Costa, a Democrat, faces a reelection bid against Republican challenger Andy Vidak.
Costa has represented CA-20 for six years and had served in the state legislature for 24 years prior. Vidak is a Central Valley farmer who, like Goodwin, has never held public office. Although historically Democratic, President George W. Bush came close to winning the district in 2004.
California’s 21st congressional district covers the eastern parts of Fresno County and all of Tulare County. Incumbent Devin Nunes, a Republican, is unopposed for reelection, and has served since congressional lines were redrawn in 2002.
To find out which congressional district you live in, check out this tool from the U.S. House of Representatives website. To find a polling place, check out the California Secretary of State website.
For more coverage of politics, read the Oct. 13 article, Brown, Whitman engage in final debate.
