MEMO: The Case Against D.C. Millionaire Jeff Denham
TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Barb Solish, DCCC West Press Secretary
DATE: June 8, 2016
Last night’s California Primary results mark the beginning of the general election race for California’s 10th Congressional district and a rematch between vulnerable D.C. Millionaire Congressman Jeff Denham and local farmer Michael Eggman.
In this diverse Central Valley district, Denham’s reelection campaign will be defined by Donald Trump, which is a damaging reality for Denham, who has tried hard to paint himself as a moderate Republican. But Denham’s vow to support Trump means he owns the divisive priorities and offensive policies that Trump promotes between now and Election Day.
Voters will also see how far D.C. millionaire Denham has grown apart from the Central Valley, how out of touch he is with Valley families, and how willing he is to do what D.C. Republican leadership asks of him.
Many dynamics, including anticipated presidential year turnout, Trump’s toxicity with Latino voters, and a strong Democratic candidate all point to a daunting reelection path for Congressman Denham in November.
THE DENHAM AND THE DONALD: THE TRUMP TICKET
Past data predicts increased turnout in California’s 10th district this presidential year, particularly among women and Latinos, which favors Democrats. Trump’s historically toxic candidacy may well accelerate this trend, further imperiling Denham’s reelection chances. Donald Trump continues to have astronomically high disapproval ratings among Latinos, who make up over 40 percent of the 10th District’s population. This spells trouble for Denham, whose name will appear on the same ballot as Trump in this Democratic-leaning district.
Trump now defines everything for House Republicans like Denham, particularly thanks to Speaker Paul Ryan’s recent Trump endorsement. In Presidential years, the top of the ticket always defines down-ballot races, and that will be especially true this year for Denham, given Donald Trump’s willingness to be provocative and offensive on a daily basis. In addition to having to answer for Trump’s wildly offensive comments about Latinos, Denham is now the Central Valley face of a Republican Party brand that is toxic to voters in a diverse district that voted for President Obama in both 2008 and 2012.
OUT OF STEP WITH THE CENTRAL VALLEY
It seems the longer D.C. millionaire Jeff Denham stays in the Congress, the less he cares about the Central Valley and the more he cares about what his D.C. Party leadership thinks of him.
Millionaire Denham spent significant time passing a bill that allows him to bring his dog on Amtrak train rides, but neglected to submit his immigration reform bill for a vote on the House floor, breaking his own promise to “push forward” his bill.
Instead of acting on immigration reform, Denham actually took a hard party-line stand by voting to send an amicus brief on behalf of the House of Representatives to the Supreme Court that would in effect tear apart hardworking immigrant families.
Last month, Denham again came under scrutiny for blindly following Party leadership instructions. Denham was one of just seven Republicans who flipped their vote in order for Republicans to defeat an anti-discrimination bill.
It is clear that when Denham is in Washington, he throws principles out the window and becomes simply a tool for his D.C. bosses.
CONCLUSION
In 2016, D.C. millionaire Congressman Jeff Denham faces an uphill battle running for reelection with Donald Trump at the top of the ticket, a more Democratic and diverse electorate, and a continued pattern of putting D.C. Republican leaders before Central Valley families.
This fall, the choice for Central Valley voters will be clear between millionaire Congressman Jeff Denham and Trump’s Republican Party, and Michael Eggman’s Central Valley values.