Rep. Raul Ruiz projected to win U.S. Representative for District 25

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, NBC) - NBC News projected Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) will keep his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

As of Wednesday, Rep. Ruiz had more than 69,500 votes, amounting to over 64% of the vote.

Meanwhile, his opponent, Joe Males (R-Calif.) had more than 38,455 votes, amounting to nearly 36% of the vote.

Following his victory, the congressman issued the following statement:

"There was one big winner last night, and it wasn't a political party or a politician. It was the American people.

The American people won because we now have a Congress that will fight to end corruption, reduce the price of gas and groceries, and ensure that everyone has access to affordable health care. The American people won because we now have a Congress that will stand up for families, not billionaires.

The job won't be easy. Donald Trump has already vowed to veto legislation that doesn't line up with his twisted priorities of making himself and other billionaires even richer.

But we will fight him at every turn and hold him accountable for his self-dealing. And hopefully, Trump and his cronies have learned that the American people are watching, and the people are making their voices heard."

Ruiz represents District 25, which covers all of Imperial County, and parts of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.