Congressional candidate Buzz Patterson holds rally in Elk Grove, 'We've got to get our kids back to school'

Surrounded by a spirited group of supporters, Congressional candidate Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson (ret.) held a rally in Elk Grove today urging the return of children to school.

The late afternoon rally was held at the Elk Grove Unified School District administrative building on Elk Grove-Florin Road. Patterson, a Republican, is challenging Democratic Rep. Dr. Ami Bera this November for California's 7th Congressional District which includes all of Elk Grove.

The return of children to school, which is determined on a state by state basis, has become a political issue. California Gov. Gavin Newsom made the decision that most children should not return to regular classes, while other states like Georgia have decided to have students return amidst the continued COVID19 pandemic.

Patterson, who is facing a difficult challenge with no national party support, has taken up the cause of returning children to classroom instruction. As part of his strategy, Patterson has developed a website called back2schoolguy.com.

Noting other countries have resumed in-classroom instruction, Patterson said children are being deprived of educational experiences.

"We've got to get our kids back to school," he said. "Their education is suffering."

Patterson added, "I firmly believe, that its time, Dr. Facci agrees, President Trump agrees, we've got to get out kids back to school." (see video below).

One of the supporters waving signs in from the EGUSD school administrative building was an Elk Grove father of four school-age children. Identifying himself as Kevin, the parent compared distance learning to placing a square peg in a round hole.  

"Trying to teach 25 children over Zoom is just not feasible," Kevin said.  

Although the 7th California Congressional district has been competitive for several cycles, in 2018 Bera easily beat Republican challenger Andrew Grant after surviving razor-thin victories in 2012, 2014, and 2016.

This year the well-regarded Cook Political Report includes the 7th in its sold Democratic category. In elections cycles from 2010 through 2016, it was considered a toss-up district that attracted large campaign donations from each major party.  

In addition to today's rally, Patterson said he and supporters will hold rally's at other school districts in the 7th Congressional district.

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