Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

2 hours ago

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

2 hours ago

Trump Pushes for Release of Epstein, Maxwell Grand Jury Testimony

4 hours ago

Trump Says US to Hit India With 25% Tariff Starting Friday

5 hours ago

Tariff Revenues Hit Record $150 Billion Amid Trump’s Trade Talks, Fox Business Reports

6 hours ago

Israeli Minister Hints at Annexing Parts of Gaza

7 hours ago

Fed Likely to Hold Rates Steady Despite Trump’s Push for Big Cuts

7 hours ago

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

1 day ago

Marjorie Taylor Greene Is First Republican Lawmaker to Call Gaza Crisis a ‘Genocide’

1 day ago
Democrats Link Valadao to QAnon in TV Ad. Is It True?
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
February 11, 2021

Share

Not even a vote for impeachment by Republican Congressman David Valadao satisfied Democrats.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has been running TV ads against the Hanford congressman in both English and Spanish. DCCC is also running ads against Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Palmdale.

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub

David Taub

Politics 101

They blame him for supporting U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, linking her support of conspiracy-minded QAnon and the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

“Reps. Garcia and Valadao have made their choice — they chose to cave to the murderous QAnon mob that has taken over their party,” said DCCC Chair Sean Patrick Maloney, D-New York. “Garcia and Valadao are trying to have it both ways – refusing to hold those responsible for the attack on the Capitol accountable, offering nothing but empty words after years of hyping up lies and conspiracy theories.”

While Valadao voted in favor of impeaching Trump, he voted against punishing Greene by stripping her committee assignments.

“David Valadao should have stood with us. But he was a coward. Congressman David Valadao stood with ‘Q,’ not you,” the ad says.

According to FCC documents, DCCC paid Univision 21 $5,550 for six spots; ABC 30 $4,150 for nine spots; CBS 47 $2,300 for 10 spots; and KSEE-24 $1,900 for nine spots, all airing in February.


Also in Politics 101: 

  • Republicans react to DCCC ad.
  • Sarah Silverman wants to save Tower Theatre.
  • So does Audra McDonald.
  • New law would make remote participation permanent.

Republicans React

Valadao’s office deferred comment to the National Republican Congressional Committee.

“House Democrats are so scared of David Valadao that they’re lighting donor money on fire by peddling a disinformation campaign that has been fact-checked false by multiple news outlets,” NRCC spokeswoman Torunn Sinclair said. “Central Valley voters are sick and tired of the lies they’re hearing from House Democrats, which is why they elected David Valadao and sent corrupt tax cheat TJ Cox packing in 2020.”

Is Silverman’s Tower Tweet Wishful Thinking?

While the Adventure Church waits to close escrow on its purchase of the Tower Theatre, a Hollywood celebrity tweeted her thoughts.

Entertainer Sarah Silverman, best known for her foul-mouthed performances, is encouraging her celebrity friends to “scoop” the church and buy the theater.

It is likely too little, too late. The real estate broker for the deal tells Politics 101 that escrow is still expected to close next week. Neither Silverman nor anyone from Hollywood has made any inquiries.

When a property is in escrow, the seller cannot legally consider any other bids.

Entertainer Sarah Silverman tweeted opposition to a church purchasing the Tower Theatre (Image: Shutterstock)

Supporters Celebrate

Days later, Fresno native and entertainment superstar Audra McDonald followed Silverman’s message.

“My hometown. I practically spent every day of my childhood across the street from this theater. The Tower district is one of the most iconic districts and yes one of the most LGBTQ friendly districts in Fresno. It holds such a special place in my heart and it must be saved,” McDonald said.

Tower supporters celebrated Silverman’s message of support.

Protesters of the church sale have been engaging in demonstrations across the street from the Tower Theatre every Sunday morning since early January.

Until two weeks ago, the church held in-person prayer. The city fined the church $250 and the owners of the theater twice for a total of $750 for violating zoning and pandemic emergency orders.

Silverman also called Adventure Church “anti-LGBT,” an allegation Pastor Anthony Flores has denied.

There is no resolution yet between the church and the city, if rezoning is needed to hold church services. Adventure Church believes they are allowed to hold events under a federal law protecting religious institutions from certain zoning matters.

The city insists that Tower Theatre isn’t zoned for religious assembly.

Law Would Make Remote Participation Option Permanent

A proposed law would permanently allow the public to attend government meetings remotely.

Since the pandemic, the council chambers at Fresno City Hall and other houses of government have been closed to the public. Meetings have taken place remotely, with both elected leaders and the public participating through video teleconferencing.

The rules for public meetings changed during the pandemic, thanks to state orders from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Assemblymembers Alex Lee, D-San Jose, and Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens, introduced the California Public Participation Act to continue remote public participation after the state emergency orders are lifted.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in public participation and political engagement with online teleconferencing options,” Lee said in a news release. “It’s also important that we have options for people to engage in-person or through a call-based option for those that don’t have access to reliable internet.”

While Fresno City Council meetings have been online only for most of the pandemic, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors meetings have been open and in-person. The only option for the public to comment and not be present is to send an email to the board clerk prior to the meeting.

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

Canada Says It Intends to Recognize a Palestinian State in September

DON'T MISS

Dubai Nut Processor Aims for October Opening in Fresno: Dyer

DON'T MISS

Costa Blasts GOP Over Medi-Cal Cuts. His 2026 Opponent Defends Them

DON'T MISS

Trump Says US and Pakistan Have Concluded a Trade Deal

DON'T MISS

Trump Imposes Scaled-Back Copper Tariff, US Prices Plunge

DON'T MISS

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

DON'T MISS

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

DON'T MISS

How Netanyahu Keeps Playing Trump for a Fool in Gaza

DON'T MISS

Trump Signs Order Implementing Additional 40% Tariff on Brazil, White House Says

DON'T MISS

Could Madera Poach Stalled Costco? It’d Be ‘a Significant Financial Blow,’ Says Dyer

UP NEXT

Costa Blasts GOP Over Medi-Cal Cuts. His 2026 Opponent Defends Them

UP NEXT

Could Madera Poach Stalled Costco? It’d Be ‘a Significant Financial Blow,’ Says Dyer

UP NEXT

Clovis Police Arrest Eight at DUI Checkpoint

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Navpreet Singh

UP NEXT

Warner or Conklin? Fresno State QB Battle Builds Ahead of Kansas Opener

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Dies in DUI Crash, Driver Arrested

UP NEXT

Madera County Wildfire Burns Near Fairmead, Containment at 0%

UP NEXT

Fresno’s Vacant Property Ordinance Punishes the Wrong People: Rassamni

UP NEXT

Tulare County Authorities Find Body in Sequoia National Park

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified Will Pay Nikki Henry $162K Without Board’s Public Vote

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

Trump Says US and Pakistan Have Concluded a Trade Deal

1 hour ago

Trump Imposes Scaled-Back Copper Tariff, US Prices Plunge

1 hour ago

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

2 hours ago

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

2 hours ago

How Netanyahu Keeps Playing Trump for a Fool in Gaza

3 hours ago

Trump Signs Order Implementing Additional 40% Tariff on Brazil, White House Says

3 hours ago

Could Madera Poach Stalled Costco? It’d Be ‘a Significant Financial Blow,’ Says Dyer

4 hours ago

Trump Pushes for Release of Epstein, Maxwell Grand Jury Testimony

4 hours ago

Clovis Police Arrest Eight at DUI Checkpoint

5 hours ago

Trump Says US to Hit India With 25% Tariff Starting Friday

5 hours ago

Canada Says It Intends to Recognize a Palestinian State in September

Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday. Carney tol...

8 minutes ago

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to journalists outside his office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada June 30, 2025. (Reuters File)
8 minutes ago

Canada Says It Intends to Recognize a Palestinian State in September

8 minutes ago

Dubai Nut Processor Aims for October Opening in Fresno: Dyer

Congressmember Jim Costa defends Medicaid / Medi-Cal, and responds to GOP criticism at a Fresno news conference on July 30, 2025
28 minutes ago

Costa Blasts GOP Over Medi-Cal Cuts. His 2026 Opponent Defends Them

Shipping containers are seen at the Karachi port in Karachi, Pakistan, June 10, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Trump Says US and Pakistan Have Concluded a Trade Deal

A general view of molten copper at Anglo American's smelter in Chagres, Chile, obtained by Reuters on April 26, 2024. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Trump Imposes Scaled-Back Copper Tariff, US Prices Plunge

the neptune app
2 hours ago

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attends the 56th NAACP Image Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California, U.S. February 22, 2025. (Reuters FIle)
2 hours ago

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
3 hours ago

How Netanyahu Keeps Playing Trump for a Fool in Gaza

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

Search

Send this to a friend