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| Congressmember TJ Cox |
Cox said he conceded in a phone call to his Republican opponent, David Valadao. The Kern County Elections Office completed their vote count on Nov. 30 with Valadao narrowly winning the Central Valley district. Valadao had 85,298 (50.45%) votes compared to Cox’s 84,406 (49.55%) votes, a difference of 892 votes.
Cox's campaign depended on a strong grassroots ground game to win in 2018, but the coronavirus limited that strategy this time around.
"Almost three years ago, I entered the race for California’s 21st District as an underdog. But we out-worked our opponent and pulled off the most stunning upset in Central Valley history. Unfortunately, this year due to the Coronavirus, we weren’t able to engage in door-to-door personal canvassing and the election results reflected that,” said the congressman.
Cox was elected in 2018 by beating Valadao with a margin of 865 votes. He joined Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia as Filipino American members of Congress.
Before Thanksgiving, Valadao was leading Cox by about 1700 votes. Cox, hoping to eke out a win like he did in 2018 was able to narrow the lead by half in the final count.
Following is Cox's full statement:
"Almost three years ago, I entered the race for California’s 21st District as an underdog. But we out-worked our opponent and pulled off the most stunning upset in Central Valley history. Unfortunately, this year due to the Coronavirus, we weren’t able to engage in door-to-door personal canvassing and the election results reflected that,” Cox said in a statement.
"I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in just two short years. The 27 bills I introduced and the $700 million dollars of water infrastructure funding that I was able to get passed through the House shows what can be accomplished by reaching out and working together with communities and organizations on the issues that are important to all of us.
"Just as important, I was so happy to provide opportunities, internships and jobs to so many young men and women from the Valley. I want to say thank you to them for considering a career in public service.
"My proudest moment as a Member of Congress was when a young woman from the Valley said to me on the day we passed the Dream and Promise Act, ‘Thank you Congressman Cox. You finally make me feel as if someone cares.’ I do care and will continue to fight to make a positive difference in the lives of Central Valley residents.
"I am also very proud of the campaign we’ve run. We didn’t engage in gutter politics. We took our message directly to the people, many of whom never knew they could have a strong voice in their federal government. I never forgot that I work for them. I want to thank my staff, 2,000 volunteers, and over 50,000 donors who believed in our campaign to Put People First.
"I hope Mr. Valadao goes back to Washington humbled by his 2018 loss and has learned he can’t discount communities like Arvin, Lamont, and Mendota, places that went without visits from their congressional representative for years. I hope he will indeed deliver results for the Central Valley, which desperately needs a strong advocate in Washington."
Following is Cox's full statement:
"Almost three years ago, I entered the race for California’s 21st District as an underdog. But we out-worked our opponent and pulled off the most stunning upset in Central Valley history. Unfortunately, this year due to the Coronavirus, we weren’t able to engage in door-to-door personal canvassing and the election results reflected that,” Cox said in a statement.
"I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in just two short years. The 27 bills I introduced and the $700 million dollars of water infrastructure funding that I was able to get passed through the House shows what can be accomplished by reaching out and working together with communities and organizations on the issues that are important to all of us.
"Just as important, I was so happy to provide opportunities, internships and jobs to so many young men and women from the Valley. I want to say thank you to them for considering a career in public service.
"My proudest moment as a Member of Congress was when a young woman from the Valley said to me on the day we passed the Dream and Promise Act, ‘Thank you Congressman Cox. You finally make me feel as if someone cares.’ I do care and will continue to fight to make a positive difference in the lives of Central Valley residents.
"I am also very proud of the campaign we’ve run. We didn’t engage in gutter politics. We took our message directly to the people, many of whom never knew they could have a strong voice in their federal government. I never forgot that I work for them. I want to thank my staff, 2,000 volunteers, and over 50,000 donors who believed in our campaign to Put People First.
"I hope Mr. Valadao goes back to Washington humbled by his 2018 loss and has learned he can’t discount communities like Arvin, Lamont, and Mendota, places that went without visits from their congressional representative for years. I hope he will indeed deliver results for the Central Valley, which desperately needs a strong advocate in Washington."
Valadao, who voted with Trump's agenda when he was in Congress, claims to be a moderate Republican. He was supported by the powerful agricultural interests, who didn't like Cox's support from environmentalists who wanted to employ stricter water conservation measures by agribusiness. The GOP poured money into Valadao's campaign to return the district back to the Republican fold.
During the campaign, Cox said that in the years Valadao was congressman for the district, the Republican voted lockstep with Trump. On Nov. 3, 21st District voters went with Biden over Trump.
Two key issues Valadao says he' will emphasize in his return to Congress is bringing water to the Central Valley and immigration reform, which would require him to work with Democrats who retain a slim majority in the House of Representatives.
Two key issues Valadao says he' will emphasize in his return to Congress is bringing water to the Central Valley and immigration reform, which would require him to work with Democrats who retain a slim majority in the House of Representatives.
