McClintock mailer called deceptive
By Christopher Cadelago, Sacramento Bee
Democrats in the sweeping 4th Congressional District are crying foul over a campaign mailer by Republican Rep. Tom McClintock they say deceptively boosts the prospects of one candidate so the three-term incumbent can avoid a tough re-election fight.
McClintock, whose challengers include upstart Republican Art Moore and independent Jeffrey Gerlach, is sending campaign mailers to Democratic voters that portray Gerlach as the lone alternative and describe him as a “liberal” who supports universal health care, gay marriage and amnesty for illegal immigrants. McClintock’s flier says he’s led the fight to repeal the health care law, strengthen traditional families and secure U.S. borders.
Democrat Jack Uppal, who lost to McClintock in 2012, said the incumbent is resorting to “dirty tricks” by diverting Democratic voters to Gerlach in the June 3 primary in order to dodge a head-to-head match-up with Moore in November. Under the state’s new primary system, the top-two finishers regardless of party advance to the general election. Moore’s campaign believes it remains in strong position to do so.