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New coverage from LA Daily News highlights vulnerable California Republicans Mike Garcia and Michelle Steel struggling to explain their continued support for 34-time convicted felon Donald Trump as he heads to fundraise in Beverly Hills.
While Garcia dodged reporters about his steadfast loyalty to Trump before attacking the judicial system in his defense, Steel has continued ducking the question altogether — as both grapple with the negative impacts of their allegiance to the former president that nearly two thirds of Americans believe is guilty.
No matter how much cowering the pair do when the convicted felon comes to town, Californians know two things for sure: “Garcia has endorsed Trump for reelection and Steel signed on as a delegate for Trump in the presidential primary” – and that support isn’t going anywhere.
Read more below.
Los Angeles Daily News: Donald Trump heads to Beverly Hills to rake in campaign cash
Clara Harter | June 7, 2024
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Donald Trump is touching down in the city of angels on Friday to attend a Beverly Hills campaign reception as part of a three-day fundraising swing through the Bay Area, Los Angeles and Orange County.
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This is his first fundraising tour after being convicted of 34 felonies in New York, a verdict that has riled up Republicans and led to a historic surge in campaign contributions. Now he hopes to capitalize on this momentum to rake in big dollars at Friday’s fundraiser as well as at a Saturday event in Newport Beach.
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Neither Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, nor Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Seal Beach, responded to the Daily News’ request for comment about Trump’s visit or recent court verdict. Both congress members are up for election in battleground districts that could play a key role in determining which party controls the House come January.
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Steel has not spoken publicly about the verdict, while Garcia initially declined multiple news outlets’ requests for comment but gave one to a reporter in D.C. on Monday. When asked whether he is concerned about having a convicted felon at the top of the ticket he said, “No. I think the American people saw what happened in New York, they saw what were typically misdemeanors being elevated to 34 felonies.”
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Both candidates’ responses to the verdict have drawn harsh criticism from Democratic leaders.
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“Ultimately, Republicans like Mike Garcia and Michelle Steel are stuck between a rock and a far-right place,” said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Dan Gottlieb. “They made their bed with Trump, and now they’ll have to justify to California voters how comfortable they are undermining law and order alongside the 34-time convicted elephant in the room. Steel’s silence and Garcia’s embrace are incredibly telling.”
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While SoCal residents shouldn’t expect to see Garcia or Steel campaigning for Trump this weekend, Garcia has endorsed Trump for reelection and Steel signed on as a delegate for Trump in the presidential primary.
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