BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- With House Republicans' proposed budget sparking fear of potential cuts to programs like Medicare and Medicaid, healthcare is top of mind ahead of the 2026 Midterms. When it comes to healthcare, Republicans are on the defensive; Democratics on the offensive. No De mocratic -- at least yet -- has officially declared they will challenge Congressman David Valadao in 2026. Party leaders told 17 News only time will tell. Another political deja vu: Rep. David Valadao, Rudy Salas file paperwork to run for Congress in 2026 "This is a very dire situation," said Asm. Dr. Jasmeet Bains, Democratic lawmaker from Delano. Bains was one of many Kern Democratics voicing concern and anger at a Thursday night townhall in Bakersfield's International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 428 union hall. Joined by state and Kern County leaders like Bains, as well as California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks and Los Angeles Congressman Jimmy Gomez and Assemblywoman, attendees shared woes that as a result of House Republicans' budget blueprint, federal assistance programs like Medicare and Medicaid could be cut. That proposal was approved in February. Asm. Dr. Bains has also been floated as a CD-22 candidate for 2026.When asked if she’d consider, Bains responded in a statement, “I really hope I don’t have to step into the race - I am 100% focused on standing up for Kern County and delivering for my community.” Attendees also took issue with the fact that GOP Congressman David Valadao -- one of two Kern County representatives -- voted for it. "I've been vocal, I've been on the House floor, even the president of the United States has put out on his own website and publicly made statements that no one is looking to touch Medicaid," the representative told 17 News in a Friday afternoon phone call, defending his vote. Valadao has said he will not support a final budget bill including such cuts and was also one of eight House Republicans who signed a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson citing concerns over cuts to Medicaid, food stamp programs and more. The emphasis for Democrats has been on unseating the five-time representative of this competitive swing district. "Turn this seat from red to blue in 2026," said CADEM Chair Rusty Hicks. CD-22 is majority Latino and leans Democratic, yet Valadao has won reelection time and time again. Two elections in a row, Valadao beat the local, state and national Democrats' candidate of choice -- former California Assemblymember Rudy Salas. 17 News' Jenny Huh: "CD-22 is a seat you have ran for twice. What's it looking like for 2026?" Rudy Salas: "I have a lot of folks that are out there like, Rudy, if people just go out and vote, you know Rudy, you have the support, it's just people got to go out and vote." 17 News' Jenny Huh: "Rudy, you're not ruling out a 2026 run?" Rudy Salas: "Oh, no." According to the Federal Election Commission, so far, only Valadao and Salas have filed their statement of candidacy -- an intention to run in 2026. It's not yet clear if Democratics will once again stand behind Salas. "Well, there's a lot of talent in this community, and I know there's plenty of time between now and a primary in June of 2026 [to choose our candidate]," said Chair Hicks. He added, " We don't have to do too much [to win]. In many ways he and they, the Republicans, are doing plenty." 17 News' Jenny Huh: "Do you feel threatened by these townhalls and the fact that Democrats are already gearing up for 2026 using the issue of healthcare? Rep. David Valadao: "No… I've got more important things to worry about than an election that's almost two years away." Flipping seats from red to blue is part of a nationwide movement -- Democratic lawmakers are meeting with constituents in competitive congressional seats, discussing potential cuts to healthcare. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage To his Bakersfield crowd, L.A. Rep. Jimmy Gomez said, "We have to fight it in Congress, we have to fight it in the courts, we have to fight it in the streets, and we have to fight it every single day." Valadao also criticized Democrats' recent usage of healthcare as political rhetoric. "It's sad that a fellow congressman who should be focused on taking care of his constituents is taking time out of his schedule to play in political rallies," Valadao commented. There will be another Democratic townhall in Bakersfield Sunday morning, led by Santa Clara Congressman Ro Khanna at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Community Center. The focus, again flipping CD-22 and other competitive congressional seats in 2026. Of Khanna specifically, Valadao said, "I imagine he probably wants to run for governor or president or something, and so this all plays a role in it. But, it's not helpful, and it's obviously not going to be helpful in finding a way to work together to solve problems for my constituents or his." During the roughly seven-minute interview, Valadao also addressed the notion that healthcare is his Achilles' heel. Political analysts and strategists have said Valadao's voting to repeal and replace Obamacare in 2018 may have resulted in his reelection loss against Democratic challenger TJ Cox. That was the one reelection bid thus far Valadao lost. On that point, Valadao noted that historically, the party in power loses seats in Congress. At the time, President Donald Trump was halfway through his first term. The congressman also stated that various factors -- such as the Democratic registration being larger in that cycle -- affect a campaign and that he doesn't agree healthcare led to his brief 2018 exit. "Democrats have horrible numbers right now, and they're struggling with their base," Valadao said, adding that Americans aren't pleased with the status quo or what President Joe Biden's Administration left behind. ...read more read less