At least three Democrats are lining up for a chance to take on Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) in the 2020 election for California’s District 22 Congressional District seat.

This month, Fresno financial adviser Phil Arballo was the latest to announce his plans to run against the Republican incumbent.

"I’m running for Congress to create more pathways to opportunity. So people don’t have to choose between paying their rent or mortgage or for their prescriptions drugs. To ensure we have clean air and clean water for everyone," Arballo, 40, said. "I’ll work for common sense gun safety to keep my kids — and yours — safe. I will always fight to ensure a woman’s healthcare decisions are up to her — because I’m not a doctor, and neither is Devin Nunes."

Other previously announced candidates include Dary Rezvani, the owner of Mid Valley Auto Repair in Fresno and Bobby Bliatout, a health care industry administrator.

Bliatout ran against Nunes in 2018, finishing third in the June primary with 4.9% of the vote.

High-profile support

It didn't take long for Arballo to get a high-profile endorsement.

On the same day as Arballo's announcement, Andrew Janz, the Fresno County prosecutor and Redwood High School graduate who gave the Tulare Congressman the most competitive general election race of Nunes' career, went on Twitter to endorse Arballo.

“I’m humbled to have Andrew’s endorsement in the fight to take on Devin Nunes," Arballo said. "Andrew understands that we need a leader representing the Valley who’s willing to fight for our children’s future.”

Janz decided not to seek a rematch against Nunes in 2020. Instead, the Visalia-raised lawyer is running for Fresno mayor in a field that includes Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.

Dyer announced in March he was officially retiring from the Fresno Police Department in October. In May, Dyer launched his campaign for mayor.

A Fresno State graduate, Arballo is married and has two children.

"The opportunity to receive a quality education, have access to affordable healthcare, safe drinking water and a good-paying job feels out of reach for far too many families in the Central Valley. I was raised by a single mother and am the first in my family to work my way through college, so I know firsthand the challenges that our community faces," he said in a press release announcing his candidacy. "I also know the opportunities that lie ahead if we have public servants less focused on scoring political points and more focused on working with both parties to get the job done."

In an interview with Politico, Arballo argued Nunes has been more interested in appearing on Fox News to defend President Trump than on issues such as trade, health care, immigration reform and pocketbook issues important to Central Valley voters.

“What is going to matter here in the Valley is everyday things," Arballo told Politico.

Arballo or any of Nunes' potential Democratic opponents will have a difficult time unseating the Tulare Republican. Both The Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the seat as likely Republican for the 2020 election.

Since Nunes' 2018 victory over Janz, the Tulare native lost his chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee and announced a series of controversial lawsuits against internet and media companies.

James Ward covers entertainment, news, sports and lifestyles for the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register. Follow him on Twitter. Get alerts and keep up on all things Tulare County for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.