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“The Republican who formerly represented California’s 3rd Congressional District jumped ship because the district became too competitive. Now, Northern Californians are at risk of being represented by an even more extreme, MAGA Republican. Thankfully, Dr. Kermit Jones, a veteran and a physician, offers voters a voice of reason. While Kevin Kiley courted extremists while running vanity campaigns, Dr. Jones served his country honorably. Now, he is ready to serve California’s Third in Congress.” – DCCC Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney
To: Interested Parties
From: Maddy Mundy, DCCC Regional Press Secretary
Date: June 8th, 2022
Subject: The Case Against Kevin Kiley
Kevin Kiley has emerged as the Republican nominee for the House race in California’s 3rd Congressional District. After coming off a bruising seventh place defeat in a wasteful gubernatorial recall election, in which he only amassed 3.5% of the statewide vote, Kiley set his sights on Tom McClintock’s former House seat when the incumbent moved to a far less competitive district following redistricting – though Kiley couldn’t pull off getting McClintock’s blessing.
Despite his 2021 claims that “national politics is a distraction,” Kiley immediately pivoted to a national race following his statewide defeat. Kiley’s lack of affinity for voters has not changed much since his gubernatorial run. Already, Kiley has been roundly condemned for courting MAGA extremists while refusing to court the actual constituents of CA-03.
Kiley has skipped out on forums, editorial interviews, and debates, but he has taken meetings with far-right MAGA figures. From rallying with insurrectionists and Qanon supporters, to opposing COVID safety regulations and reproductive rights, Kiley is a threat to the voters of California’s 3rd Congressional District.
The voters of CA-03 have a true champion in their Democratic nominee: physician and veteran Dr. Kermit Jones. Dr. Jones learned the value of hard work growing up and working on the family farm. As he helped his dad tend the farm, he watched his mother work as a home health nurse, never wavering from her commitment to take care of the people in her community. After 9-11, Dr. Jones knew he needed to step up to keep his community and our country safe. After two tours in Iraq, Dr. Jones returned home to serve as a White House fellow under President Obama, working with the Secretary of Health & Human Services to improve quality of care for our veterans.
Dr. Jones has been called a “Democratic star” thanks to his strong campaign operation and deep knowledge of the policy issues that matter most to middle class families. In Congress, this veteran and doctor will take on the extremism that has only been emboldened since the January 6th insurrection, while fighting to cut costs and expand access to health care.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
The Sacramento Bee: Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones and congressional opponent Kevin Kiley are both a disgrace [June 1, 2022]
“[Kiley could not] say whether Joe Biden is the legitimate president of the United States — a prevarication that Donald Trump and many mainstream Republicans have repeated since Biden beat Trump in the 2020 election, ‘Well, it depends what you mean by legitimate,’ said Kiley, a Trump-endorsed Rocklin assemblyman.”
The Sacramento Bee: Kevin Kiley is a snowflake who isn’t ready for a few questions, let alone Congress [April 23, 2022]
The Sacramento Bee: Some California Republicans won’t talk to The Sacramento Bee. What are they afraid of? [April 22, 2022]
The SactoPolitico: Calif. GOP chair, Asm. Kiley rallied with extremists [March 11, 2021]]
KEVIN KILEY: THE ‘MAGA’ CHAMPION
This November, voters will have the choice between an extreme MAGA candidate and a public servant who has put his country first. Kiley has been deemed a ‘MAGA’ champion, having refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential results and shared a stage with Qanon conspiracists. Kevin Kiley attended a political rally hosted by right-wing extremist group 1776 Forever Free. The leader of that group, whom Kiley shared a stage with, attended the January 6th insurrection and previously pushed dangerous conspiracy intended to foment violence, claiming Democrats are leading Americans toward an Auschwitz-like furnace and Americans must arm themselves for a coming civil war.
The most fundamental freedoms we cherish are under attack – from the sanctity of our vote, to the choices we make for our bodies. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s leaked draft overturning Roe v. Wade, and Republicans frothing at the mouth to install a nationwide abortion ban if they retake majorities in Congress, the stakes have never been higher for voters to send a champion of choice to Congress.
Instead, Kiley is a MAGA champion with a disturbing anti-choice record, despite statewide polling showing Roe v. Wade is supported by Democrats, independents and Republicans. Yet just this year, Kiley voted against making abortion more accessible in the state of California. Following the Supreme Court’s draft leak, Kiley denounced calls to protect Roe v. Wade.
Again and again, Kiley tries to insert himself between people and their health care decisions. Kiley not only wants the government to dictate what you can and cannot do with your body, he thinks your employer should have a say as well. Kiley voted against legislation to prohibit employers from firing workers for their reproductive health choices or having sex outside of marriage.
Kiley’s extreme views on abortion promote anything but freedom. As a physician, Dr. Kermit Jones understands it is important to empower individuals to make their own health care decisions. He will fight to preserve that right in Congress.
PATH TO VICTORY
California’s 3rd Congressional District continues to trend towards Democrats and away from Republicans. Since 2014 Republicans have lost 4 points in their registration share while Democrats have picked up 4 points. In recent elections the district has swung in Democrats’ favor; President Biden performed 3 points better than Secretary Clinton in 2016.
While Kiley has a well-documented losing record, Dr. Kermit Jones has been noted as a Democratic star, and has received the endorsement of the Sacramento Bee for his “thoughtful” policy proposals. Dr. Jones has the experience and record of service needed to fight for Northern Californian families as they recover from the pandemic and tackle rising costs. Dr. Jones will fight tooth and nail to lower costs, including the costs of prescription drugs, which MAGA Republicans in Congress have already voted against. If elected, Kiley would only be another rubber stamp on this dangerous MAGA agenda. Northern Californians deserve a leader who will be their champion in Congress – not a MAGA champion. That leader is Dr. Kermit Jones.
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