Breaking: Lee Rogers Withdraws Support from Steve Knight, Recommends Democrats Abstain

“I consider Steve a friend, but I’m just appalled at what appears to be his tone-deafness in regard to what our neighbors find appropriate.  In a district where Democrats will decide the next representative, Knight has given Democrats nothing to vote for, and instead, everything to vote against.  His rigid stance against abortion without exception has rankled me and many of my Democratic colleagues.   But his recent vote supporting the sale of paraphernalia bearing the Confederate flag in California state buildings shows an insensitivity that is far out of touch with our district and California.  He was one of only 3 legislators in the state to support the sale of these items.  One of the others who believes the Confederate flag is free game on state property is assemblyman and former gubernatorial candidate Tim Donnelly.  Wherever Donnelly goes, he leaves behind a wake of racially-fueled or xenophobic statements and he’s too extreme for even most Republicans.  According to Donnelly and the LA Times, he and Knight are campaigning together.  I’m happy that Knight has subsequently distanced Donnelly as a surrogate, but it still doesn’t change the fact that they both publicly cross-endorsed and they support the same awful measures in the state legislature.”

“Some Democratic leaders in our district have been advocating for abstention in voting in the congressional race for 2014.  Initially, I rejected this plea, because I thought that one of the two Republicans had to be better than the other.  Plus, it just seemed undemocratic not to vote for either.  But recent events have proven me wrong.  To Democrats, I can’t in good conscience recommend either candidate for the office and now, I will also abstain from voting in the congressional race.  Democrats didn’t expect much from either Republican in this race, but we certainly didn’t expect to be slapped in the face.”