Ami Bera, Scott Jones grapple over character in congressional debate

Source: Sacramento Bee

Rep. Ami Bera and Scott Jones, running in one of the state’s most closely watched congressional contests, tangled Tuesday over the economy, firearms and immigration, with the men using their only televised debate to defend their character while painting the other as ethically suspect.

Bera, campaigning for a third term, tailored his message to the suburban Sacramento district by carving out positions largely in line with fellow Democrats. In prepared rejoinders, he admonished Jones for his recently renounced support of Donald Trump, the GOP’s divisive standard-bearer. Jones, Bera said, renounced Trump only when his poll numbers “tanked.”

“When he was insulting Gold Star families, a family that lost their son protecting our country, that wasn’t enough?” Bera asked. “When he was making fun of disabled people, that wasn’t enough? When he was making comment after comment disparaging women, that wasn’t enough?”

Jones, a Republican in his second term as the county’s elected sheriff, said he parted ways with Trump when the presidential nominee spoke on tape about behavior he has targeted in his law enforcement career. He centered his appeal on GOP hallmarks like simplifying the tax code and slashing burdensome regulations, while criticizing Bera for having a light legislative record. He asked Bera whether he was proud of a campaign he implied was deeply negative.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article109109282.html