Heated race

The race for the 21st district is heating up with a few weeks until election day.

Democratic congressiona l candidate emilio huerta is under fire tonight following the release of an attack ad claiming his opponent, republican incumbent david valadao, said he would support republican presidential nominee donald trump.

Valadao, who has publically denounced trump on multiple occasions, is responding to the ad saying it is deceptive and misleading.

17's alex fisher joins us live outside kern county democratic party headquarters where huerta is scheduled to speak within the hour, with what we can expect.

Alex.

Alex: in roughly 5 minutes, democratic congressiona l candidates emilio huerta and california attorney general kamala harris, who is running for senate, will hold a rally here.

But the big question tonight -- did huerta approve the attack ad.

Alex: this campaign ad is receiving a lot of attention in the race for the 21st congressiona l district.

With 29 days until election day, the attack ad for emilio huerta run by house majority pac and aft solidarity attempts to associate congressman valadao with gop presidential candidate donald trump.

Ad: "republican valadao said he would absolutely support donald trump...."

Alex: the ad's source comes from our nexstar sister station, k-p- g-e, in fresno on october 30, 2015.

After valadao endorsed republican candidate jeb bush, cbs 47's anchor joey horta asked the congressman if he could support the republican nominee.

Joey: "will you be able to support one of those two if they make it for the nomination?"

David: "well, absolutely.

I'm going to stick with the winner for my party, obviously...."

Alex: but after donald trump clinched the gop nomination, valadao has publically denounced the candidate.

Most recently, in a series of tweets, valadao said, "i have repeatedly stated i cannot support donald trump..."

Valadao's campaign has called for television stations to remove the ad because, quote " is inaccurate, deceptive and misleading" adding, "your station should immediately refuse to continue airing this advertisement ."

Alex: like i said before, we are expecting to hear from emilio huerta in a few minutes.

We hope to have some response from him, ahead on 17 news at 6.

Live in downtown bakersfield, alex fisher, 17 news.