Dems in California House race spend millions in messy primary battle

Democrats were supposed to be gearing up for an all-out battle against incumbent GOP Rep. David Valadao for a coveted swing seat in California’s Central Valley.

Instead, they are staring down the humiliating prospect of being locked out of the November runoff by Valadao and another Republican — and are blaming each other for bungling their shot.

The party establishment has already spent more than $2 million to boost former state Assemblymember Rudy Salas in the top-two March 5 primary over fellow Democrat Melissa Hurtado — a current state senator who has...