Congressional primary challenger Burdick files House ethics, deceptive adverting complaints against Rep. Ami Bera

Congressional primary candidate Jeff Burdick has filed campaign complaints against Rep. Ami Bera, alleging "unethical campaign marketing practices." Burdick is one of three challengers in the March primary for California's Seventh Congressional district that includes all of Elk Grove.

In a series of statements released over the last several days, Burdick's campaign is asserting that Bera has posted a misleading endorsement from the Sacramento Bee on his campaign website. In the statement, the Burdick campaign argues that the endorsement listed on Bera's website (see below) is from the 2018 general election, where the Bee supported the four-term representative.

Burdick's complaints have been submitted to the Ethics Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and the California Secretary of State.

“For three years, Democrats in Congress have been fighting to combat the false and deceptive online election practices of Russian bots," Burdick's statement said. "How disappointing to see Dr. Bera now serving as his own Russian bot to deceive his constituents this way."

The complaint to the ethics committee, Burdick accuses Bera of violation Rule XXIII, No. 1 of the House’s Code of Official Conduct. That rule says, "A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House shall behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House."  

In his complaint to the California Secretary of State, Burdick alleges that Bera is violating California Business and Professions Code 17500. The code addresses false advertising.

Bera's reelection committee did not respond to an email seeking comment on Burdick's complaints.

Burdick is one of four primary challengers and the only Democratic candidate challenging Bera, who was first elected in 2012 when he defeated Republican incumbent Dan Lungren. While Bera and Burdick are both Democratic candidates, they have taken significantly different positions on issues like healthcare.

Bera, a physician, has endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden who has taken a cautious approach to healthcare reform by advocating for taking incremental steps to enhance the Affordable Care Act. According to reports from Politico and Axios, Bera is campaigning this week and next in Iowa on behalf of the former Vice President.  

Burdick, who has positioned himself on the progressive side of Democratic party politics. Among the positions he has staked out to that are similar to Democratic party presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I - Vermont) is his support for Medicare. 

The top two finishers in the March primary, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the November general election ballot.  

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