Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno) has his first Republican challenger for the 2026 midterm election.
Lorenzo Rios, the CEO of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, launched a campaign for the 21st Congressional District on Wednesday.
Driving the news: Rios was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States when he was 12. He worked alongside his parents in the fields before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps when he was 18.
- Following his service in the Marines, Rios attended Gonzaga University for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and earned a Ph.D. from Arizona State.
- He joined the ROTC program at Gonzaga and commissioned as an Army officer, going on to serve 23 years of combined service in the military.
- Rios retired as a Lieutenant Colonel who deployed to the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan.
- During his military career, Rios also taught International Relations and Latin American Politics at West Point.
- Rios also served as a Department Chair at Fresno State, as a board member for various statewide organizations, as the president of Rotary, as a member of the Kiwanis club and Scout Master with the Boy Scouts of America. He was also the president and CEO of Valley PBS from 2019 to 2021.
State of the race: Costa was first elected to Congress in 2004 and will be running for his 12th term in office next year.
- Costa won reelection last year over Michael Maher 52.6% to 47.4%, down from the 8.4% margin he enjoyed in 2022.
- The 21st District covers parts of Fresno and Tulare Counties and includes the whole cities of Sanger, Fowler, Dinuba, Selma, Kingsburg, Reedley and others, as well as parts of Fresno and Visalia.
- Democrats have seen their advantage slip in the district over the past few years as their 17.21% edge in 2022 now sits at 12.91%, according to data compiled by the California Target Book.
What he’s saying: “Too many families in our region still face rising crime, limited opportunities and a growing disconnect from the decision makers in Washington D.C. Here in the Valley, we don’t need more talk. We need more action,” Rios said in his announcement video. “We need public servants who lead with purpose, not politics. I’m not a politician. I’m a father, a veteran, a servant, and I’m running for Congress to help restore the promise of the American dream right here at home.”
From working in the fields, to serving our country, to raising a family in the Central Valley – I’ve lived the American Dream.”
Now, I’m running for Congress to protect it for the next generation. I’m ready to fight for our Valley and bring leadership that puts people first.… pic.twitter.com/6P7HkHN7Jx— Lorenzo Rios (@LorenzoRiosCA) July 9, 2025
