BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Ahead of the Nov. 5 election, 17 News is hosting debates for high-stakes races. Kicking it off Wednesday evening is the head-to-head between Republican incumbent David Valadao and Democrat Rudy Salas for California's 22nd Congressional District. This debate is the first faceoff between Salas and Valadao. Ahead of the big night, here's a breakdown of the district and two candidates. Postal workers rally in hopes for a new contract "It's a truly purple district," said Democratic political analyst Neel Sannappa. "How much can really change just based off this one district, that could be the difference between who has the majority in the House." "Purple district," as in either party can win. "Both sides clearly think they can win it," said UC Merced Professor Nathan Monroe. That's because of the district's makeup. CD-22 encompasses most of Kings County and parts of Tulare and Kern counties. About 42% of registered voters are Democrats, 27% are Republican and 23% have no party preference. Despite being a largely Democrat and majority Latino district, an Anglo-Republican, David Valadao, has been re-elected multiple times since 2013. He lost the incumbency once to a Democrat in 2018. "Obviously I have to get a lot of people who are not registered in my party to vote for me to be successful," said Rep. Valadao. "It's a vote of confidence, I think that [Valadao has] been returned time and time again, no matter what the registration is," said Tulare County GOP Chair and former Congresswoman Connie Conway. Man pleads not guilty to killing 71-year-old mother in Wasco Chairwoman of the California Republican Party, Jessica Millan Patterson, agreed: "Generally speaking, this is a seat that would be very, very tough for Republicans. But what we have on our side is the phenomenal candidate Congressman David Valadao. CD-22, these experts said, depends on voter turnout -- typically a disadvantage for Democrats. "The community has been fantastic. People have been great. We just need them to turn out in November," said Democratic challenger Rudy Salas. Chairman of the California Democratic Party, Rusty Hicks, stated, "The challenge is, is ensuring that there is the kind of turnout that matches and reflects what the registration is in the district." But as nationwide of an influence the CD-22 race has, the strategies to win it are local. "[This race is a] classic Valley matchup between a fairly moderate Democrat and a fairly moderate Republican incumbent that are sort of uniquely valley legislators," explained Monroe. "They understand some of the unique issues that are in the Valley. They play well to the constituents. It's one of the most expensive races nationwide, too. The Salas and Valadao campaigns, as well as outside political groups, are spending millions to sway voters. "In any campaign, you use the same kind of blunt instruments of mail, digital ads, television, negative campaigning or contrast between the two candidates to drive voters out of fear or concern to support a respective candidate," said Central Valley Political Strategist Tal Eslick. Salas and Valadao faced off in the 2022 Midterm election. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage Salas beat Valadao in the primary, but Valadao beat Salas in the general by just three points. And in this year's primary, Valadao defeated Salas by about one point. "The first and foremost [issue for me] is water," said Rep. Valadao. "Water is the thing that we struggle with the most here in the Central Valley… It's crime, it's homelessness, it's drugs, it's all those different things." Opponent Salas said, "My issues are the issues that voters are bringing up, right? It's cost, healthcare and it's choice." You can watch the debate live at 7 p.m. Wednesday, on KGET TV-17, or via livestream on our website kget.com. And use the #CA22debate to follow along on social media.