A behind-the-scenes move by a strategist tied to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has ignited a new round of Democrat infighting in California — just as party leaders hoped redistricting would smooth their path back to House control.
Morris Katz, Mamdani’s lead media consultant, traveled to California’s Central Valley to produce a campaign ad for a little-known liberal challenger in a newly redrawn congressional district held by Republican Rep. David Valadao.
The move has opened a fresh front in the Democrats’ long-simmering civil war between liberals and moderates.
California Democrats recently pushed through an aggressive gerrymandering plan designed to flip as many as five Republican-held House seats — a strategy seen as critical to retaking the House majority.
However, while the new map boosts Democrat registration in key districts, it has also intensified internal battles over ideology, money, and message.
In Valadao’s district, progressive candidate Randy Villegas, backed by Katz, has attacked rival Democrat Jasmeet Bains, a state lawmaker viewed as more moderate.
Villegas accuses Bains of taking corporate money and opposing the redistricting ballot effort, while Bains has countered by questioning Villegas’ ties to progressive groups and his residency.
“This is a fight for the soul of the Democratic Party,” Villegas told reporters, framing the race as a choice between “billionaires” and the “working class.”
Katz warned that Democrats risk undermining their credibility by nominating candidates who accept corporate donations and avoid criticizing what progressives call a rigged economy.
Bains has rejected the attacks, accusing her opponent of spreading falsehoods as his campaign struggles.
The clash has raised concerns among Democrats about weakening their eventual nominee ahead of what is expected to be a high-stakes general election against Valadao.
The concern is heightened by the district’s new political math. After redistricting, Democrat registration rose by more than four points.
Yet Valadao remains a formidable opponent. A dairy farmer with strong ties to agriculture and energy interests, he has survived multiple cycles in Democrat-leaning districts, even after voting to impeach President Donald Trump in 2021.
Trump narrowly carried the district in 2024, but Valadao outperformed him.
Moderate Democrats and labor leaders see Bains as their best chance to win. SEIU California, the state’s largest labor union, encouraged Bains — a physician — to run, citing her appeal to healthcare workers and her opposition to recent congressional healthcare cuts.
“ heating his campaign struggles.”
