BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Ahead of the 22nd Congressional Debate on Wednesday, Oct. 2, KGET sent each of the candidates in the race a questionnaire hoping to get answers to some basic questions — an introduction to voters in the district. We asked each candidate several questions: Name Age Hometown; City you reside in Tell us about your family. Give us a brief educational history Party registration; How long have you been registered with that party? Give us a brief career history Why are you running for this office? How long have you lived in the 20th Congressional District? Describe your political philosophy Below are responses from the candidates participating in Wednesday’s debate. California 22nd Congressional District Debate: How to watch Rudy Salas Age: 47 Hometown, place of residence: Born and raised in Bakersfield and Delano. I live todaynear where I grew up, by the Fairgrounds. Family: Single Educational history: Graduated from Bakersfield South High School and UCLAwhere he majored in Political Science and History. Career history: After college I worked in the Office of the Vice President of theUnited States before I returned home and worked as a counselor at CSUB helping HighSchool kids go to college. In 2010, I ran for and was the first Latino ever elected to theBakersfield City Council. I was then elected to the California State Assembly where Iserved from 2012-2022. History of elected service: Bakersfield City Council 2010-2012; CA State Assembly 2012-2022.4 Party registration: "Lifelong Democrat." Length of residence in the district: "I was born and raised in this district and have lived here almost all of my life." Why you are running for this office?: "The Central Valley is home for me. I see far too many neighbors and working-class families, like the one I was raised in, struggling and they don’t have a Congressman fighting for them. The current Congressman has voted repeatedly to take money out of the pockets of working families in the Valley. He voted no on lowering the price of medicine for diabetes, tried to take away people’s affordable healthcare, voted to increase taxes on California homeowners, and even voted no on a tax credit to help working parents. New poll shows Valadao-Salas race will, once again, be a difficult-to-predict toss-up I’ve spent the past decade serving the people of the Central Valley and working to putmore money into their pockets. I voted NO on the gas tax, voted to lower the price of life-saving medicines, like insulin for diabetes, and delivered funding to combat Valley Fever and replace failed drinking water wells. In Congress, I’ll fight to cap the price of insulin at $35 a month for all Americans, deliver tax relief for working parents, and pass a first-time home buyer tax credit to make the dream of homeownership a reality for more working families." Political philosophy: "I was born and raised here in the Valley. Growing up, I worked with my dad in the fields and in construction. I know what hard work is and I respect it. After working my way through college, I came home to help kids get into college. I entered public service to fight for working families, like the one I grew up in, across the Valley. My philosophy is simple. Do the most amount of good for the most amount of people.That’s what I’ve done throughout my time in public service – dedicating myself todelivering real results for Valley families. I’ve proven I’ll work with Democrats, Republicans, and Independants to make adifference for Valley families. I’m proud of the fact that I was the only AssemblyDemocrat to vote NO on the gas tax, because it was the right thing to do. RELATED: : 1-on-1 with CD-22 hopeful Rudy Salas I passed legislation that allows California to manufacture life-saving medicines, likeinsulin for diabetes, and make it more affordable for Valley families. I helped save KernMedical Center from closing its doors, helped create the first Valley Fever institute in California, secured critical funding for our cancer center, and expanded health coverage. I’ve worked hard to deliver more opportunities for students in the Valley by deliveringfunding to create a mobile welding program, increase the number of nursing graduatesat our local college, and expand opportunities for students in rural communities toaccess college. I’m excited to continue this work in Congress, where I’ll fight everyday to help workingpeople keep more money from each paycheck in their pocket." Additional relevant information: This election is about protecting our freedoms and doing what’s right for Central Valley families. That’s what I’ll do in Congress. After ten years in Washington, the current Congressman has forgotten Valley families and has signed onto an extreme agendathat includes banning women’s access to healthcare, blocking funding that would helpimprove our water infrastructure, and voting to make healthcare and housing moreexpensive. It’s time for a change." David Valadao Age: 47 Hometown, place of residence: Hanford Representative for California’s 22nd Congressional District  Family: My family emigrated from the Azores Islands of Portugal to the United States in 1969. After settling in the Central Valley, my dad started a small dairy farm in 1973. I married my high school sweetheart, Terra, in 1999. Together, we have three beautiful children. Educational history: College of the Sequoias, attended; Hanford High School Career history: Dairy farmer, with leadership roles within the California Milk Advisory Board, and Western States Dairy Trade Association. Elected Regional Leadership Council Chairman for Land O’ Lakes, Inc. State Assemblyman. Member of Congress  History of elected service, if any: Congressman 2013-2018, 2021-present; State Assemblyman 2010-2012. Party registration: Republican, since I’ve been registered to vote.  RELATED: 1-on-1 with CD-22 incumbent Rep. David Valadao Length of residence in the district: Entire life. Why you are running for this office?: "As your Congressman, my number one priority is Valley families. I’ve heard from people in Hanford down to Bakersfield about the crushing toll of inflation, and especially the price of gas. I was born and raised in the Valley as the son of immigrant parents, and I understand that without the security of food on the table and money to pay the bills, nothing else matters. The only way to lower costs for every day Californians is by rejecting extremes and meeting in the middle with common sense solutions. A lifelong farmer, each day I see the critical need for clean and reliable water. I have reached across the aisle -- and always will -- to find solutions to increase the Valley’s water supply, make energy more affordable, ensure our law enforcement are well-funded to keep communities safe, and create good-paying jobs. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW The Central Valley is my home. I understand our community’s values and needs, and face many of the same concerns as my neighbors and friends. I have always fought to do what’s right for us, and we deserve a leader who will put our needs ahead of their own. Valley residents simply want an opportunity to build a better life for their families, and I am ready to bring strong, bipartisan, practical leadership back to Congress. If you honor me with your vote, my promise to you is simple: I will work tirelessly on your behalf to improve your quality of life and always put your needs first. Political philosophy: I believe people just want an opportunity to provide a better life for their family without the government getting in the way. I’m a conservative because I believe in a smaller government that’s accountable to the people we serve. The 22nd Congressional Debate takes place Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m.