Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., is the newest member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, adding a first-hand experience in the dairy industry to the panel's ranks.
Valadao, who represents California's 22nd Congressional District covering part of the San Joaquin Valley, has been a dairy farmer throughout his life. His family emigrated from the Azores Islands of Portugal to the United States in 1969, and his father started a small dairy farm in the Central Valley in 1973.
Valadao has held leadership roles with the California Milk Advisory Board, the Western States Dairy Trade Association, and served as Regional Leadership Council chairman for Land O' Lakes Inc.
"As a dairy farmer, I understand firsthand the challenges our farmers, ranchers, and growers face, from rising input costs and labor shortages to unfair trade practices and the need for a strong agricultural safety net," Valadao said in a statement. "Agriculture is at the heart of the Central Valley and a critical part of our nation's economy, and I'm ready to get to work on delivering results for the families and communities who depend on it."
Valadao fills the seat vacated by Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., who had served on the committee until his death in January. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa., cited LaMalfa's legacy as a standard for Valadao to build upon.
"As a producer who understands the ins and outs of a family operation, Mr. Valadao appreciates the opportunities and challenges facing farm country," Thompson said. "I can think of no one better suited to carry on Doug LaMalfa's legacy of being a true advocate for California agriculture."
Before his election to Congress, Valadao served in the California State Assembly, where he sat on the Agriculture Committee and held the position of vice chair. He was first elected to Congress in 2012, representing California's 21st Congressional District. Valadao narrowly lost his seat in 2018 to TJ Cox, but was reelected in 2020, defeating Cox in a rematch by 1,754 votes, 51% to 49%.
Valadao currently also serves on the House Appropriations Committee's Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Subcommittee.
