On The Campaign Trail Bera Meets Voters, Takes Aim at Opponent
In his second run to unseat Republican Congressman Dan Lungen, Elk Grove’s Dr. Ami Bera, MD, hopes the road to Washington D.C. passes throug...
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2011/12/on-campaign-trail-bera-meets-voters.html
In his second run to unseat Republican Congressman Dan Lungen, Elk Grove’s Dr. Ami Bera, MD, hopes the road to Washington D.C. passes through living rooms and meeting halls in California’s newly drawn Third Congressional district.
As part of his effort to win in next November's general election, Bera is meeting with voters throughout the district. One of those meetings was held last night in Elk Grove’s Sheldon area.
Speaking before more than two dozen voters, most of who identified themselves as supporters, Bera discussed current events and listened to their concerns for close to two hours. Among the many topics discussed were education, unemployment, health care and climate control.
The sons of immigrants, Bera noted that he is the product of the state's public schools and universities and that access to education is an investment in society and is an equalizer. “This state has benefited from that investment,” Bera said.
While the give and take between the Bera and his supporters was light and conversational, Bera took a few opportunities to jab Republicans. When asked about climate change, he quipped “I’m a Democrat, I believe in science.”
In addition to talking about his positions, Bera offered a post-mortem on his 2010 defeat to Lungren. Bera said that he needed to better define what he stood for and not just a counter to Lungren.
“I don’t think we gave people enough reasons to vote for me,” he said.
Bera noted that while the redrawn district now has a slight Democratic registration advantage, attracting enough independent voters will be crucial to his success.
Bera noted that Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS also dumped over $700,000 in last minute advertising that helped Lungren win with 50.1 percent of the vote – the lowest for any incumbent member of congress. By contrast, Bera said the majority of his donations come from individuals, over 2,000, compared to 200 individual donors for Lungren.
As he has in the past, Bera has outperformed Lungren in fundraising for nine consecutive quarters. Given Bera’s success in fundraising, anger towards congress and the redrawn boundaries, next years Bera-Lungren race will once again attract national attention.
As part of his effort to win in next November's general election, Bera is meeting with voters throughout the district. One of those meetings was held last night in Elk Grove’s Sheldon area.
Speaking before more than two dozen voters, most of who identified themselves as supporters, Bera discussed current events and listened to their concerns for close to two hours. Among the many topics discussed were education, unemployment, health care and climate control.
The sons of immigrants, Bera noted that he is the product of the state's public schools and universities and that access to education is an investment in society and is an equalizer. “This state has benefited from that investment,” Bera said.
While the give and take between the Bera and his supporters was light and conversational, Bera took a few opportunities to jab Republicans. When asked about climate change, he quipped “I’m a Democrat, I believe in science.”
In addition to talking about his positions, Bera offered a post-mortem on his 2010 defeat to Lungren. Bera said that he needed to better define what he stood for and not just a counter to Lungren.
“I don’t think we gave people enough reasons to vote for me,” he said.
Bera noted that while the redrawn district now has a slight Democratic registration advantage, attracting enough independent voters will be crucial to his success.
Bera noted that Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS also dumped over $700,000 in last minute advertising that helped Lungren win with 50.1 percent of the vote – the lowest for any incumbent member of congress. By contrast, Bera said the majority of his donations come from individuals, over 2,000, compared to 200 individual donors for Lungren.
As he has in the past, Bera has outperformed Lungren in fundraising for nine consecutive quarters. Given Bera’s success in fundraising, anger towards congress and the redrawn boundaries, next years Bera-Lungren race will once again attract national attention.
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