California congressional race shows why the Democratic Party lost its way | Opinion

There are plenty of ways for a political candidate to become undesirable—arrogance, being out of touch, or scandals that surface mid-campaign. But in my conversation with Randy Villegas, candidate for California’s 22nd Congressional District, I found someone bold, intelligent, and unwavering in his values.

Villegas aligns himself with progressive values, but that alone should not make him polarizing. As a Central Valley native, he understands what his district needs from a representative: someone who will protect their way of life. You can’t protect your community without the conviction to stand by your beliefs—and Villegas has demonstrated exactly that.

Yet, his biggest challenge in this race isn’t the opposing party—it’s the Democratic establishment and the powerful PACs that bankroll it.

Villegas’s candidacy exposes a lack of direction within the Democratic Party

Last week, The Bee reported that the Democratic Majority for Israel Political Action Committee (DMFI PAC), a Washington, D.C.-based group, has spent $500,000 on ads targeting Villegas. The very idea that a national PAC believes it can buy influence in the Central Valley speaks to arrogance rooted in deep pockets.

To make matters worse, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chose to back Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains — the only Democrat who voted against Proposition 50, a measure widely supported by Democratic voters who authorized the state to redraw congressional districts to benefit Democrats.

The California Democratic Party had an opportunity to take a clear stance with an endorsement, but failed to unite behind either candidate. At a time when leadership and conviction are desperately needed, the party’s inability to reach consensus is more than just a bad look — it’s a sign of deeper dysfunction. If Democratic leaders can’t agree on their own values or candidates, how can voters trust them to deliver on the issues that matter most?

Bains does not believe that what is happening in Gaza is genocide—an opinion that diverges from much of her party’s base. What troubles me is not just her stance, but her inability to articulate real conviction in her words.

“I believe Israel is a critical ally and has the right to exist, defend itself, and live in peace,” Bains said in a statement on her website. “As a doctor, I also believe we have a moral responsibility to prevent human suffering and ensure aid reaches civilians in need and that we can and must achieve lasting peace for both Israel and Palestine. Those values are not mutually exclusive. We need leaders in Congress who approach these issues with the seriousness and thoughtfulness they deserve – not soundbites or false choices – and that will continue to be my focus.”

This is exactly the sort of cautious, ambiguous language that PACs like DMFI reward.

By contrast, when Villegas spoke with the Sacramento Bee Editorial Board, his focus was almost entirely on local issues: jobs, housing, and healthcare. He mentioned Palestine only in passing, during his closing remarks, when he challenged his opponent’s inconsistency on Gaza. For some outside groups, apparently, even a minute of honest dissent is too much.

The fact is, American public sentiment has shifted. Young Americans in particular have increasingly negative views on Israel and of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. According to the Pew Research Center, eight in 10 Democrats and Democratic leaning-independents have an unfavorable view of Israel, views exacerbated by the war in Gaza.

Villegas reflects that skepticism, Bains does not. But the party backs Bains?

The party that once produced leaders like Barack Obama and John F. Kennedy seems lost and disconnected from a new generation of voters who have far more in common with Villegas than Bains.

Will money always win?

As long as Democratic leaders cling to the same money and power dynamics as their Republican counterparts, and until the party is willing to recognize and uplift new voices, it will keep falling short of the change so many voters are demanding.

This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 10:19 AM with the headline "California congressional race shows why the Democratic Party lost its way | Opinion."