Bera Conducts Unity Conference In Quest To Defeat Lungren

With less that 11 months to go before the mid-term congressional election in November, 2010, Dr. Ami Bera, MD, today sought to present a united Democrat front to unseat three term incumbent Republican Dan Lungren from California ’s 3rd congressional district seat.

In a sign of party unity, Bera along with former Democrat primary opponent SMUD Director Bill Slaton made a joint appearance at American River College in a so-called unity news conference. Slaton, along with Elk Grove city council member Gary Davis, had sought the Democrat nomination to run against Lungren.

With Davis and Slaton both out of the race, Bera is now the presumed nominee to face off with Lungren.

Speaking on Bera’s behalf, Slaton praised his former opponents temperament and education and noted the reasons both entered the race. “We got in this race for the same reason – to make a difference,” Slaton said.

Noting problems facing the nation and district, Slaton slammed Lungren saying he is not helping the people in the district. “At every turn Dan Lungren backs the big guys,” Slaton said.

Davis, who was out of town on business, has strongly supported Bera since bowing out of the race.

"Having served Elk Grove for over 3 years, including one year as Mayor, my top priority is rebuilding our local economy and growing good paying jobs. Elk Grove needs Congressional representaion to partner in this effort. That is why we need a change," Davis said via correspondence.

In his remarks Bera noted that among several reasons he decided to run is for future generations. Bera said that being the son of an immigrant family, he and his family found boundless opportunity in the United States but was concerned for the opportunities for his daughters generation.

Noting that if current trends continue, Bera said life for future Americans will be much tougher. “This not acceptable,” he said.

Intense focus on 3rd; Don't be fooled by Lungren anti-government rhetoric

While the 3rd has long been considered a Republican stronghold, Lungren’s vulnerability was exposed in the 2008 election when he narrowly defeated an under-funded opponent, Dr. Bill Durston, MD. Lungren won the seat without winning a majority of voters while President Obama easily carried the district.

The Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has targeted Lungren as vulnerable to defeat and is spending considerable resources in the district. In the coming days the DCCC will be airing political ads in the district targeting Lungren's voting record.

In a nod to Lungren’s political skills, Bera also said voters should not be fooled by Lungren’s anti-government rhetoric.

“Dan’s a good politician. He knows people are fed up with the status quo,” Bera said. “But he’s been part of the government of the last 30 years.”

“I am not a career politician,” Bera added. “I am a doctor and a teacher.”