Valadao, David, 1977-

David Goncalves Valadao (born April 14, 1977) is an American politician and dairy farmer serving as the U.S. representative for California's 21st congressional district since 2021, previously holding the seat from 2013 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, his district comprises part of the San Joaquin Valley. In 2020, Valadao defeated Democratic incumbent TJ Cox to reclaim the seat. Before his election to Congress, he served one term in the California State Assembly, representing the 30th district from 2010 to 2012.

In the 2020 elections, Valadao, Michelle Steel and Young Kim became the first Republican congressional candidates since 1994 to unseat incumbent House Democrats in California.[citation needed] Valadao was unable to attend his scheduled swearing-in on January 3, 2021, due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. He quarantined at his home in Hanford, California, and took his seat on January 12. Valadao was one of ten Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump during Trump's second impeachment.

Valadao graduated from Hanford High School in 1995. From 1996 to 1998 he attended the College of the Sequoias in Visalia as a part-time student but did not graduate.

Valadao's father established a dairy farm in Kings County, California, in 1969. Along with his brother, Valadao became a partner in Valadao Dairy in 1992. He has been a member of the California Milk Advisory Board, Western States Dairy Trade Association, and Regional Leadership Council Chairman for Land O' Lakes.

In March 2018, Valadao, a general partner of Triple V Dairy, was named in two lawsuits against the dairy for defaulting on almost $9 million in loans and for failing to pay a supplier. In June 2018 a bank seized the dairy and sold it off to pay its debts. Valadao said, "Like so many family dairy farms across the country, burdensome government regulations made it impossible for the operation to remain open." After a lawsuit in 2019, Valadao agreed to pay $325,000 to former employees who sued for being denied breaks, minimum wage, and overtime pay. The settlement was not paid due to Valadao and Triple V Dairy filing for bankruptcy.

Valadao announced his candidacy for California's 30th State Assembly district after the 2010 retirement of Republican Assemblyman Danny Gilmore. He defeated Stephanie Campbell in the Republican primary, 78%–22%. In the general election, he defeated Shafter Mayor Fran Florez, 61%–39%.