*** No candidate for Attorney General has been endorsed by the CDP ***
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones continued to gain momentum in the Attorney General race during Tuesday two debates.
Jones, Becerra, Early and Bailey participate in two debates on Tuesday
Insurance Commissioner and Attorney General candidate Dave Jones, along with appointed Attorney General Xavier Becerra, and Republican candidates Eric Early and Steven Bailey, participated in two separate debates on Tuesday in Southern California, with each getting an opportunity to speak about their priorities if elected.
And if one thing became clear after Tuesday’s debates, it’s that Jones — the only candidate who has led a statewide law enforcement and consumer protection agency for over seven years — is the best qualified to lead the Attorney General’s office.
Jones set the tone for the day from the outset, and never let up, continuing to point to Becerra’s shortcomings as current Attorney General. He opened each debate with a quote from the San Jose Mercury News editorial endorsing his candidacy:
“We had higher hopes for Becerra when he was appointed. But, beyond his legal challenges to Trump, he’s often been a huge disappointment. In contrast, Jones understands the multiple demands of the office and will provide much-needed political independence. State residents deserve nothing less.”
– San Jose Mercury News Editorial, April 19, 2018
“I would bring the same lawsuits against the Trump administration, but there is more to the office of Attorney General than suing President Trump,” Jones added.
Jones noted Becerra’s failure to seize guns from 10,000 individuals barred law from possessing firearms due to their criminal records or due to mental illness. And Becerra’s delay in implementing a database needed to prevent opioid prescription overdoses. And Becerra’s failure to join in the litigation against ExxonMobile for lying about climate change. Jones also challenged Becerra over his acceptance of campaign contributions from oil, insurance, and tobacco companies.
Jones pointed to a number of examples where Becerra has failed to do the job of Attorney General. He described the differences between the two candidates as “quite profound,” including his opposition to the Death Penalty and Becerra’s support for the Death Penalty. Jones also pointed out Becerra’s failure to uphold the laws that require zoning for homeless shelters and affordable housing as an example of Becerra falling short on his responsibilities.
“Guess what? The attorney general is not enforcing that law,” Jones said.
Jones said that his top priority if elected Attorney General would be criminal justice reform, which includes creating re-entry and rehabilitation programs for those exiting the criminal justice system, as well as providing them with education and job training.
“We have to set these people up for success in order to keep them from re-victimizing and reoffending,” Jones said.
The June 5 election is only 20 days away. The top-two finishers will advance to the run-off. Jones will advance to the run-off for the Attorney General office in November. Once again, Republican Steve Bailey failed to tell voters at either debate that he has been charged with 11 counts of judicial misconduct from his days on the bench.
Jones has challenged the three other candidates to participate in six debates across California. Tuesday’s debates are the only two that the other candidates have agreed to so far.
Read more about or watch Tuesday’s debates!
Check out the LA Times story HERE.
Check out the Recorder story HERE.
Watch the BizFed Institute debate HERE.
Watch the UC Riverside debate HERE.
