SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — Democratic Rep. Ami Bera went to Sacramento on an 11th hour appeal, pleading his case to seek the party’s endorsement for re-election—he has garnered animosity from within the liberal wing of the Democrats, and failed to receive enough support to secure the endorsement as a result.
A persistent target of Republicans, Bera’s votes to advance a controversial trade agreement which would limit Syrian and Iraqi refugees from resettling in the U.S. was cited as a primary reason he failed to receive the endorsement. His bid for endorse fell just short—requiring a 70 percent majority, only 61 percent backed Bera, with 39 percent opposing, though he will not face an intraparty challenger in his race for re-election.
Rep. Ami Bera
While in Sacramento, he briefly addressed a room-full, and to rub shoulders with some of the state’s party elites. He sought to clarify his official stance on the aforementioned trade agreement, and said he merely supported giving President Barack Obama the authority to negotiate terms of the agreement. He said he is still waiting to receive analysis this spring before making a final decision on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The loss, which was not entirely unexpected, means Bera, a two-term congressman from Elk Grove, will have to wait until Feb. 28 when the state party convention takes place to make another bid for endorsement from the party. The vote in San Jose will exclude clubs and other local groups, and is limited to delegates and their proxies.
As they’ve done so many times against him, Bera briefly turned his attention, and fight, against Republican challenger Scott Jones, the Sacramento County Sheriff. Most notable of his opposition’s were Jones’ stance as a Pro-Life member, and his publicly voice skepticism of addressing climate change.
“I see the urgency of climate change as one of our biggest challenges going forward,” Bera said.
Of the most vocal activists who spoke out against Bera’s endorsement were some of the most important foot soldiers in his first two elections: organized labor.
“This is an obvious showing that delegates in the district are not happy with Congressman Bera’s voting record,” said Robert Longer, political and legislative director for the Communications Workers of America Local 9421. “Normally, this is a matter of course; normally, he would have received the endorsement no problem. However … about 40 percent of the delegates decided that no endorsement is better than endorsing.”
“I think Congressman Bera needs to do some soul searching as to whether he’s a real Democrat, or not. If he believes in the district, he will connect with the voters, he will connect with the folks that got him into office. Otherwise, he will have to find another job.”
Bera is more hopeful for the outcome of the upcoming state convention, describing this decision as a part of “democracy in action.” Bera maintains that he is astute of the populous, and wishes to continue fighting to create more jobs, and protect a woman’s right to choose.
