Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Prime Minister of Yemen’s Houthi Government Killed in Israeli Strike

2 days ago

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps

3 days ago

US Air Force will Offer Military Funeral Honors to Slain Capitol Rioter

3 days ago

US Republican Senator Joni Ernst Will Not Run for Re-Election, CBS News Reports

3 days ago

Wall Street Falls as Dell, Nvidia Drive Tech Losses

3 days ago

US Denies Visas to Palestinian Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly

3 days ago

Minneapolis Children Revealed Courage, Absorbed Fear During Church Shooting

4 days ago

Ford Recalls Nearly 500,000 Vehicles Over Brake Fluid Leak

4 days ago

Fresno-Bound Passenger Says Delta Attendant Slapped Him, Seeks $20M

4 days ago
Costa Slams Soria in TV Ad. Fact-Checking the Claims.
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
February 6, 2020

Share

With his latest TV campaign ad, Congressman Jim Costa came out swinging against political rival Esmeralda Soria.
Costa accused her of crying poverty while giving herself a pay raise as a member of the Fresno City Council. And, he took shots at her relationship with fiancé and business developer Terance Frazier.
Costa and Soria are Democrats running in the 16th District, which includes Merced, Madera, and parts of Fresno.
A copy of the TV ad, airing on several Fresno stations, can be found here.
Soria criticized Costa for going negative.
“I am very disappointed that he is using Trump’s playbook,” Soria said. “He resorted to low blows. He should be ashamed of this type of politicking.
“If he really is the right fit for the Valley, he should stick to what he has done. Forty years (of holding elected office) and we’re still the poorest district in the state.”

Fact-Checking Costa’s Ad

Esmeralda Soria
“I am very disappointed that he is using Trump’s playbook.”Congressional candidate Esmeralda Soria
A look at some of the ad’s claims:
CLAIM: “Esmeralda Soria says she’s living paycheck to paycheck.”
TRUE. In a video interview with The Fresno Bee last July, Soria talks about the financial struggles for those living in the 16th district.
“I’ve been the fortunate one. I’ve been able to buy my own home. But I still struggle. I’m living paycheck to paycheck. And, there’s many families like that,” she said.
On her congressional campaign website, Soria does say, “Too many students are crippled with high debt loads right as they start their careers. And, I understand that struggle because I am still burdened by my student loan debt ten years after graduating.”
Speaking to GV Wire, Soria said her college debt is $150,000, exceeding her monthly mortgage. She also has medical costs from taking care of family members.
“I’m kind of like the average person,” Soria said.
CLAIM: “Soria gets $96,000 a year from taxpayers and pay perks and benefits.”
TRUE. Her base salary as a city councilwoman is $80,000. Transparent California estimated her perks and benefits to be about $16,000.
Also according to Transparent California, Soria earned $13,726 in salary and benefits as an instructor at Fresno City College.
For comparison, as a member of Congress, Costa earns $174,000 in base salary. While that amount can be automatically adjusted using a formula (in place since 1989 before Costa became a congressman), Congress has foregone a raise since 2009.
CLAIM: “Gave herself a 23% raise on the council.”
TRUE. Soria voted on Dec. 13, 2018, to raise council salaries 23%, from $65,000 to $80,000. The raise takes effect when a councilmember begins a new term. For Soria, after winning reelection in 2018, she began collecting a higher salary in 2019.
Pay raises when Costa served as a state Assemblyman were automatically built into the state budget. This process was in effect from when Costa took office in 1978 through 1988, when the compensation law changed.
CLAIM: “Soria’s fiancé and business partner received city contracts worth millions.”
TRUE. Terance Frazier — not mentioned by name in Costa’s ad — and Soria have been dating for several years and got engaged last year.
In her Form 700 covering sources of income for 2018, Soria lists TFS Investments LLC, Frazier’s investment company. The amount, between $1,001 and $10,00 is described as interest from a loan.
“I made a one-time investment, and that is what it was. I was very upfront about it and disclosed it. I invested here locally,” Soria said.
Frazier, and his businesses, have received city contracts. Most notably, Frazier’s nonprofit, the Central Valley Community Sports Foundation, received a 25-year lease to operate Granite Park. That also came with a $150,000 annual subsidy from the city for 10 years.
Frazier also has contracts to develop parts of downtown,
Soria has recused herself from voting on any contracts involving Frazier since the couple began dating.
Costa, in his most recent Congressional financial disclosure form covering 2018, listed two rental homes, between $100,000-$1,000,000 income from his farm, and dozens of financial investments through his 401k account.

Others React to Costa Ad

To no one’s surprise, some of Soria supporters were none too kind to Costa on Twitter after the ad started running.
“Costa decides to go negative, attacking a young qualified woman. We’ve heard this ‘tune’ before. I guess when you have corp PAC $ in the bank, you get to be a bully. But bullies never win,” the California Young Democrats wrote. It should be noted that the group’s president, Clara Varner, also runs Soria’s campaign.


Kingsburg Councilwoman Jewel Hurtado wrote: “Sad 2 see attack ads towards a DEM from a DEM. She is just running to represent everyday, working class folks in DC. Thank you, @Esmeralda_Soria  for being bold & taking on this fight. Don’t let the negativity bring you down. We have your back. ThisIsWhatDemocracyLooksLike.”
To which Ian LeMay, a former Costa staffer and current president of the California Fresh Fruit Association replied, “Hasn’t her whole campaign been an insinuation of criticism towards the longest-serving democrat in the Central Valley? #IStandWithCosta.”
 

Congressman Jim Costa (left) in happier times in 2019 with his congressional challenger, Esmeralda Soria (GV Wire file)
 
 

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Garnet Fire Grows to 18,748 Acres in Sierra National Forest

DON'T MISS

US Judge Blocks Deportations of Unaccompanied Migrant Children to Guatemala

DON'T MISS

Israel Pounds Gaza City Suburbs, Netanyahu to Convene Security Cabinet

DON'T MISS

Thousands in Australia March Against Immigration, Government Condemns Rally

DON'T MISS

Trump Says He Will Order Voter ID Requirement for Every Vote

DON'T MISS

Greta Thunberg Joins Flotilla Heading for Gaza With Aid

DON'T MISS

Chicago Mayor Says Police Will Not Aid Federal Troops or Agents

DON'T MISS

Post-War Gaza Plan Sees Relocation of Population, ‘Digital Token’ for Palestinian Land: Washington Post

DON'T MISS

Labor Day Quiz: Do You Know What a Knocker-Upper Is?

DON'T MISS

Bulldogs Check All the Boxes in Runaway Win Over Georgia Southern

UP NEXT

Chicago Mayor Says Police Will Not Aid Federal Troops or Agents

UP NEXT

Dollar Trades Lower With Fed Cut In View, On Course For Monthly Drop

UP NEXT

Most Trump Tariffs Are Not Legal, US Appeals Court Rules

UP NEXT

Lawsuit Links CA Teen’s Suicide To Artificial Intelligence

UP NEXT

Hearing Ends Without Ruling On Trump’s Firing Of Fed Governor Cook

UP NEXT

Gov. Newsom Launches New Task Force To Clear CA Homeless Encampments

UP NEXT

Drive-Thru Debate Heats Up at Fresno City Council Meeting

UP NEXT

Judge Blocks Enforcement of Texas Law Restricting DEI and ESG Advice

UP NEXT

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps

UP NEXT

Trump Cancels $4.9 Billion in Foreign Aid, Escalating Spending Fight with Congress

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Thousands in Australia March Against Immigration, Government Condemns Rally

18 hours ago

Trump Says He Will Order Voter ID Requirement for Every Vote

18 hours ago

Greta Thunberg Joins Flotilla Heading for Gaza With Aid

18 hours ago

Chicago Mayor Says Police Will Not Aid Federal Troops or Agents

18 hours ago

Post-War Gaza Plan Sees Relocation of Population, ‘Digital Token’ for Palestinian Land: Washington Post

18 hours ago

Labor Day Quiz: Do You Know What a Knocker-Upper Is?

18 hours ago

Bulldogs Check All the Boxes in Runaway Win Over Georgia Southern

1 day ago

Judge Blocks Pillar of Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign

2 days ago

Classic Cars Will Still Need a Smog Test in California After Lawmakers Reject Jay Leno Bill

2 days ago

Visalia Driver Arrested for DUI After Multiple Crashes and Pedestrian Injured

2 days ago

Fresno County Garnet Fire Grows to 18,748 Acres in Sierra National Forest

A lightning-sparked wildfire, the Garnet Fire, in the Sierra National Forest has burned 18,748 acres in Fresno County and remains at 8% cont...

17 hours ago

Photo: USDA - Forest Service Tanker 40 at Fresno Air Attack Base. The Fresno County Garnet Fire in the Sierra National Forest has burned 18,748 acres and is 8% contained as crews make progress on containment lines while bracing for possible thunderstorms early this week. (Sam Wu/USFS)
17 hours ago

Fresno County Garnet Fire Grows to 18,748 Acres in Sierra National Forest

U.S. flag and Judge gavel are seen in this illustration taken, August 6, 2024. (Reuters File)
17 hours ago

US Judge Blocks Deportations of Unaccompanied Migrant Children to Guatemala

Smoke rises from Gaza after an explosion, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, August 31, 2025. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
18 hours ago

Israel Pounds Gaza City Suburbs, Netanyahu to Convene Security Cabinet

Demonstrators hold a banner during the 'March for Australia' anti-immigration rally, in Sydney, Australia, August 31, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams
18 hours ago

Thousands in Australia March Against Immigration, Government Condemns Rally

President Donald Trump walks on the grounds of the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, U.S., August 30, 2025. (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
18 hours ago

Trump Says He Will Order Voter ID Requirement for Every Vote

Activists Yasemin Acar, Greta Thunberg and Thiago Avila attend a press conference before the departure of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian expedition to Gaza, at the port of Barcelona, Spain August 31, 2025. (Reuters/Eva Manez)
18 hours ago

Greta Thunberg Joins Flotilla Heading for Gaza With Aid

National Guard troops wear gas masks during protests against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
18 hours ago

Chicago Mayor Says Police Will Not Aid Federal Troops or Agents

A view of tents sheltering Palestinians displaced by the Israeli military offensive, in Gaza City, August 23, 2025. (Reuters File)
18 hours ago

Post-War Gaza Plan Sees Relocation of Population, ‘Digital Token’ for Palestinian Land: Washington Post

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend