Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Democrats Link Valadao to QAnon in TV Ad. Is It True?
David Website Replacement
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

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

DON'T MISS

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

DON'T MISS

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

DON'T MISS

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

DON'T MISS

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

DON'T MISS

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

DON'T MISS

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

DON'T MISS

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

DON'T MISS

Russia’s Swift March Forward in Ukraine’s East

DON'T MISS

Rapper Young Thug Is a Free Man. Here Are Things to Know About His Plea.

UP NEXT

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

UP NEXT

AMOR Wellness Trunk-or-Treat Brings 700 Mendota Residents Together for Halloween Fun

UP NEXT

What Kind of Trouble Is Miguel Arias Trying to Stir Up This Time?

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Shot to Death at NW Apartment Complex Is Identified

UP NEXT

SJV Water Founder Lois Henry Receives Prestigious Reporting Award

UP NEXT

Local Candidates Make Final Pitches at Fresno Hispanic Foundation Event

UP NEXT

MAGA Hats OK at Polls, but Electioneering Is Strictly Prohibited

UP NEXT

Bulldogs’ DB Cam Lockridge Is Ballin’ Out, Has Sights Set On NFL

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Indicted on Federal Charges After High-Speed Ghost Gun Chase

UP NEXT

Fresno County to Open New West Annex Jail, Replacing Aging Facility

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

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

5 hours ago

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

6 hours ago

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

18 hours ago

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

18 hours ago

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

19 hours ago

Russia’s Swift March Forward in Ukraine’s East

19 hours ago

Rapper Young Thug Is a Free Man. Here Are Things to Know About His Plea.

19 hours ago

AMOR Wellness Trunk-or-Treat Brings 700 Mendota Residents Together for Halloween Fun

19 hours ago

What Kind of Trouble Is Miguel Arias Trying to Stir Up This Time?

19 hours ago

MrBeast Probe Ends With Some Employees Fired but Finds No Proof of Sexual Misconduct Allegations

20 hours ago

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

Peanut butter is a childhood staple for many in the United States. Whether it’s a classic PB&J sandwich, a fluffernutter, cookies ...

4 hours ago

4 hours ago

From Blue Cheese to Bacon: Peanut Butter Pairings That Will Shock You

4 hours ago

Challengers Seek Seats on Tulare County Irrigation District Boards

4 hours ago

Shy Pup Finds Hope with Foster Family, Evasion from Euthanasia

5 hours ago

Does Dill Have Magical Powers? What People Once Believed Food Could Do

6 hours ago

Let’s Keep Innovative Partnerships Crucial to Combating Climate Change: Fresno Dairy Manager

18 hours ago

Immediate Threat: Mussel Invades California’s Delta, First Time in North America

18 hours ago

Two-Time Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Opts Out of Contract with Giants

19 hours ago

No Matter the Outcome, We Are the True Losers of This Election

Search

Send this to a friend