“Denham, Valadao, and Knight will share the ballot with Donald Trump, exposing their out of touch records,” said Barb Solish of the DCCC. “California voters will reject these House Republicans, just like they will reject Donald Trump.”
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
How Trump Could Flip Republican CDs in California [Excerpts]
May 9, 2016
CalBuzz
- GOP Reps. Jeff Denham of Atwater, David Valadao of Hanford and Steve Knight of Palmdale all could soon find themselves joined at the hip to a Republican presidential candidate even less popular than John McCain, who took just 37% of the vote against Barack Obama’s 61% in California in 2008.
Denham in Danger:
- In a March 17 press release titled “The Denham and The Donald Line Up Again Against Immigrant Families,” the DCCC pointed to a 2010 debate in which Denham replied “yes” when asked if he believed “anyone who is here right now as an illegal immigrant should be detained, arrested and deported?”
- But based on Denham’s more nuanced stance on illegal immigration, Politifact California, which acknowledged Denham had agreed to the debate question, rated the DCCC’s charge “mostly false.” That, however, may be giving Denham a bit more leeway than voters are likely to accept – unless the congressman denounces Trump’s approach to immigration and deportations.
- Eggman has already jumped on the issue. “Like most Californians, I’m deeply offended by Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric,” he said back in April “We’re going to send Trump Republicans like Denham packing.”
- Perhaps, but the political landscape in California is changing rapidly, in part driven by newly registered voters who are repulsed by Trump…In a traditional election year, a 65% growth from the same period of last year would be remarkable. But this year we are seeing a doubling of registration growth among Latinos, and a more than 150% increase for some young voters, and a near-tripling for Democrats.
Valadao Seeks Validation:
- Emilio Huerta, a Bakersfield lawyer and son of famed United Farm Worker’s Union leader Dolores Huerta, is challenging Valadao and is ready to tie Valadao to Trump.
- “We just can’t go back to the time that Latinos were blamed for all our country’s woes,” Huerta told McClatchy’s Doyle.
Steve’s Trump Nightmare:
- And then there’s Rep. Steve Knight of Palmdale, in the 25th CD, which is 46% white, but 35% Latino, 8% black and 8% Asian – in other words 51% of the population is made up of people offended by Donald Trump in one way or another.
- Moreover Democrats and Republicans each claim 37% while independents comprise 21%.
- Just last week, Knight tried to distance himself from Trump during a debate in the district, but didn’t exactly make clear whether he’s for Trump or not.
- Trump “looks like, maybe, the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party — but we don’t know that yet,” he said.
- It’s doubtful that his Democratic challengers — attorney Bryan Caforio and Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Lou Vince – will let Knight wiggle away from The Donald. When the incumbent congressman’s presidential standard-bearer is despised by three-quarters of the voters, the target is too rich.