On the Issues: 22nd District: Rep. Devin Nunes and Andrew Janz

By Maya Sweedler

Oct. 25, 2018 3 AM PT

California’s 22nd Congressional District is seen as a safe seat for Republicans, even though there’s been more of a push this year from a Democratic challenger who’s pulled in millions in donations. Republicans have a nine-point voter registration advantage, and the district within Fresno and Tulare counties went for President Trump by 10 percentage points in 2016.

But its seven-term incumbent, Rep. Devin Nunes of Tulare — chairman of the House Intelligence Committee — has faced criticism for his handling of the investigation into Russian meddling in the election and the Trump campaign’s ties with Moscow.

Fresno County prosecutor Andrew Janz, who has drawn praise from locals for his moderate positions on gun control and immigration, is trying to unseat Nunes.

Although Nunes’ support for Trump helped Janz raise a record-setting $4.3 million last quarter, the incumbent holds a eight-point lead in the district, according to a recent poll from UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies.

District voters are most concerned about water, the economy, taxes and healthcare, according to the IGS poll.