INDEPENDENT2026

The Full Read · Article by Article

David G. Valadao

Rep · R–CA-22
6/7
📚 Summer School
📚 Summer school. David G. Valadao holds 6 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Open Books). Assignment: summer school for Civics, watch every Schoolhouse Rock episode five times, and submit a one-page report — due before the end of the year. Report to summer school →

Rhetorical, not literal — an opinion on conduct measured against our civics standard. Ratings terms · Challenge this review

1Open Bookscritical
2%☆ not yet
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
38.8% of receipts from PACs — over the 15% cap; fails the money floor. (FEC 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
82%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
No 2020 election denial, no fake-elector role, and no documented support for partisan gerrymandering. (Jan 6 roll call; OpenSecrets; redistricting record)
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
72%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Moderate Problem Solvers Caucus member with a measured, respectful tone toward opponents across the aisle.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
70%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Pragmatic agenda focused on agriculture, water and healthcare rather than threat or grievance messaging.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
72%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
Voted his stated conscience on impeachment matching his public words; no notable fact-check problems on record.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
85%★ earned
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
One of ten Republicans to impeach Trump after January 6, at significant political cost; genuine independence.
60
7Morality
63%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Family dairy defaulted on roughly $9M in loans and went bankrupt; a $325k wage settlement to employees denied breaks/overtime went unpaid.
60

Engage Valadao

Every public channel, one click. Hold them to it — warmly, in the register of right speech.

2465 Rayburn House Office Building
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →

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