Tom McClintock backs Scott Jones for Congress, says he will ‘stand up to the radical left’
Rep. Tom McClintock Tuesday endorsed Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones for Congress, calling him the “real conservative” in the race.
McClintock, R-Elk Grove, is the third member of Congress to back Jones, who’s vying with Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley and physician and Navy veteran Kermit Jones, a Democrat, and others in the sprawling new district.
Reps. Doug LaMalfa, R-Oroville, and Darrell Issa, R-San Marcos, are also backing Jones.
Kiley’s supporters include Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Hesperia, former Gov. Pete Wilson and former California Republican Reps. John Doolittle and Doug Ose.
McClintock is a staunch conservative, known in Washington for pushing for tough laws against undocumented immigrants and raising questions about the wisdom of COVID-inspired Democratic economic policies.
“With 33 years in law enforcement, and 12 years as the “Law and Order’ sheriff of Sacramento County, Scott Jones has proven himself to be the real conservative in the 3rd Congressional District,” said McClintock, who is seeking re-election in the newly-drawn 5th District.
McClintock, a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, which plays a crucial role in writing immigration legislation, said he saw Jones as an important ally.
“He knows first-hand the cost of unchecked illegal immigration on our communities, I can count on Sheriff Jones to be along my side as we secure the border and stop the flow of illegal drugs into our country. He has my full support,” McClintock said.
The newly-drawn 3rd district, which has no incumbent, is regarded as a likely Republican seat. The party needs a net gain of five seats nationally to win control of the House in November.
President Donald Trump won 50% of the vote in the district in 2020, and losing this seat could be a major blow to Republican hopes.
McClintock will push Jones’ conservative credentials, saying Tuesday that the sheriff is “the only candidate that I trust to stand up to radical left who wants to ‘Defund the Police.’’’
President Joe Biden emphasized in his State of the Union address last week that he’s against any effort to defund the police.
“The answer is not to defund the police. It’s to fund the police. Fund them. Fund them,” Biden said.
Jones’ other congressional backers praised his toughness. “From pushing back against rioters and ensuring those who break the law are held accountable, Sheriff Jones is what we need more of in Congress – someone who fights,” LaMalfa said.
Issa called Jones “the law and order candidate we need in Congress.”
The new 3rd Congressional District includes the counties of Placer, Nevada, Mono, Sierra, Inyo, Plumas and Alpine and parts of Sacramento, El Dorado, and Yuba counties.
This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 2:05 PM with the headline "Tom McClintock backs Scott Jones for Congress, says he will ‘stand up to the radical left’."
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