Socialist Senator Bernie Sanders (I–Vt.) has made his pick in California’s 22nd Congressional race, delivering a shock to an already contentious Democratic Party fight.

Sanders announced on Monday that he is backing Visalia Unified School District Board Member Randy Villegas.

Driving the news: Villegas is challenging Rep. David Valadao (R–Hanford) in the district, along with Asm. Jasmeet Bains (D–Delano). • Villegas has already picked up the support of former Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg and is seen as the progressive choice in the race. • He also appeared on stage at a Bakersfield town hall event earlier this year with Rep. Ro Khanna (D–Fremont), a progressive Congressman who said at the time that he would like to be colleagues with Villegas.

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