Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. will make a campaign stop in Bakersfield, Calif., on Oct. 7 to campaign for Amanda Renteria, a former Senate chief of staff and top Democratic recruit this cycle.  

Biden’s visit to the Central Valley, which Renteria announced on Facebook , will come less than a month before Election Day, when the Democrat will face off against freshman Republican Rep. David Valadao. Democrats are hoping the vice president’s appearance will gin up excitement for the contest and motivate the base to turn out.  

The district voted for President Barack Obama by an 11-point margin in 2012, making it a top pick-up target for Democrats this year.  

Valadao captured the 21st District seat in 2012 against one of the worst Democratic candidates of the cycle. A dairy farmer by trade, the freshman has since succeeded in solidifying support.  

In a district with a large Hispanic population, some Democrats say privately the race looks like an uphill battle for Renteria, despite the upgrade in candidate quality from last cycle.  

The race is rated Leans Republican by the Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.  

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