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After years of defying the odds, California's David Valadao faces new test as Latinos turn on Trump
HANFORD, Calif. (AP) — For years, Rep. David Valadao benefited from voting patterns that shifted toward Republicans in his rural, heavily Latino district in Central California, deep in the state’s farm belt where highways crisscross boundless stretches of almond groves, cornfields and dairy feed lots.
This time, that could change.
Across the country, there are signs that Latinos have grown disenchanted with President Donald Trump, especially as the price of gas, fertilizer and groceries keep climbing while funding for healthcare services is declining.
It's Republican lawmakers like Valadao that could pay the price. He's no Trump acolyte — if reelected, Valado will be the last member of his caucus who voted for Trump's impeachment after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol — but his fortunes are inevitably tied to the leader of his party.