Just days after the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee labeled Congressman Steve Knight (CA25) a top target, the National Republican Congressional Committee added Knight to their most vulnerable incumbent list.
“One-Term Wonder Congressman Knight’s election last year was a fluke and now National Republicans are scrambling to save Knight from himself,” said DCCC Communications Director Matt Thornton. “No amount of support from Washington will hide Knight’s reckless votes and dangerous behavior from the people of California’s 25th District.”
Knight made national news last week after threatening a resident that he would “drop [his] ass” and just yesterday Knight voted to block protections for military families from predatory lenders. The dangerous episode, his shameful congressional record and weak fundraising in Los Angeles’ expensive media market make Knight a top DCCC target for 2016.
Other vulnerable California Republicans on the list include Jeff Denham and David Valadao.
Background:
NRCC Adds Congressman Steve Knight To Patriot Program. “Freshman Rep. Steve Knight, who represents California’s 25th District. Knight raised a paltry $29,000 in the first quarter, and created controversy by threatening a protester in his district — an incident caught on camera.” [Roll Call, 5/01/15]
Knight Voted Against Duckworth Amendment To Remove Provision Undermining Military Lending Rules. “House lawmakers narrowly voted to remove controversial language delaying new rules on payday lenders from their annual defense authorization bill early Thursday morning, calming concerns from advocates who saw the move as potentially undoing financial protections for military families. By a 32 to 30 vote, members of the House Armed Services Committee stripped provisions from the legislation that would have delayed Defense Department plans to expand the scope of the 2006 Military Lending Act by requiring a new report due next spring on DoD’s rule-making procedures in that regard.” [Military Times, 4/30/15; H.R. 1735 Full Committee Markup, YouTube, 4/29/15]