Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Schiff Brings U.S. Senate Campaign to Fresno; Hopes to 'Learn' About Water
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 years ago on
February 22, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Adam Schiff campaigned for the first time in Fresno, and found a receptive audience among dozens of Democratic boosters.

Speaking at party headquarters Tuesday night, the Burbank congressman talked about his campaign for U.S. Senate, told stories about life on Capitol Hill, and promised to return several times.

But a question on water — a key issue in the Central Valley — left Schiff searching of an answer.

Schiff acknowledged the importance of water, but said he needs to meet with farmers, farm workers and environmentalist before taking a position.

“I will be the first to admit that I am getting an education on water issues. And, you know, I come here on this trip, I’m coming back a lot more really on this particular issue to listen, and not to tell people in this region how I think we ought to solve the water crisis,” Schiff said.

He said that all the candidates “have the need to learn” about water.

The answer satisfied Kevin Arias-Romero of Mendota, who asked the question.

“That’s the best answer he could given. And he admitted himself that he’s still learning. So that’s good. That way he knows more of the issues and how he and his colleagues can best handle the water situation that we have here in the Central Valley,” Arias-Romero said.

In a 35-minute speech which included questions from the audience of about 70 according to a local party official, Schiff said he is campaigning for U.S. Senate on three main issues — the economy, democracy, and the planet.

The meet and greet capped a day of campaigning and meetings Schiff held in the Valley. Other stops included a tour at Fresno State, and meeting with several chamber of commerce groups.

Mayra Campa, president of the Fresno County Young Democrats — which organized the event — wants Schiff to be the first of many candidates to visit.

“It’s really great that he’s here in person, and giving us the attention. We’re going to extend that invitation to the rest of the candidates as well. But I think this is a first really great start. And he seems really willing to listen to the issues that we have in the Central Valley. I think everyone responded really well to him,” Campa said.

Congressman Adam Schiff (center) poses for photos after delivering a campaign speech for U.S. Senate. (GV Wire/David Rodriguez)

Why Schiff Thinks He is the Best

Schiff is one of three announced Democrats running to replace Dianne Feinstein — who announced her plans not to run for re-election in 2024. Others include congressional colleagues Katie Porter, D-Irvine and Barbara Lee, D-Oakland.

Schiff told the audience they are all progressives and “rivals under the same flag.”

In an exclusive interview with GV Wire after the speech, Schiff said why he makes the best candidate.

“I’ve got a very strong record of getting things done on behalf of the constituents here in California, bringing resources back to communities in my district. I will do the same statewide,” Schiff said.

He said that unlike “other politicians,” he will not neglect the Central Valley.

Schiff also said he’s protected democracy by leading the first impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, and participating in the Jan. 6 hearings.

“In each of these struggles, I played a very central role in this on leadership ability that I will bring to the Senate,” Schiff said.

Schiff also said Congress needs to help with access to health care. Madera Community Hospital closed down last month, threatening the health care needs for a rural area.

“Examining whether reimbursement rates should be increased in rural areas because of the challenge to provide service in rural communities might be a way of keeping hospitals like Madera open in the future,” Schiff said. “It’s not adequate. They can’t keep their doors open.”

Responding to McCarthy ‘Smear’

Last week while speaking to Fresno reporters, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, said Schiff “lied to the American public numerous times in a position of being an intel chair.”

It was not the first time McCarthy lambasted Schiff. When he took over the gavel in the House of Representatives, McCarthy removed Schiff from the intelligence committee.

“It’s a smear, which Kevin McCarthy does all too often. The reason Kevin McCarthy required 15 (rounds of ) votes to become Speaker is, frankly, a lot of Republicans don’t trust him because he doesn’t keep his word. And we’ve seen this time and time again. It’s all one group, one thing, it’s another group, another thing or something,” Schiff said.

“So when he calls someone a liar, it’s kind of a compliment coming from him,” Schiff said.

During his speech, Schiff said he placed a billboard by McCarthy’s Bakersfield office.

“If he won’t represent them, I will,” Schiff said.

Still Supports Ukraine

Schiff said he supports sending aide to Ukraine, as the country fights a war against an invading Russian army.

“We should continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. They’re fighting a Russian invader. Their fight is a fight for democracy. That is our fight, too. If Russia can be successful in remaking the map of Europe using military force, then what’s to stop China from invading Taiwan? From Turkey or Azerbaijan, from again invading and going to war with Armenia? And so I think as the beneficial of a rules-based international order, the United States has a lot at stake in supporting our ally in Ukraine,” Schiff said.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Over 2,500 Central Unified Students Receive Spirit Sweaters at 20th Annual ‘Warm for Winter’

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Gang Members in Shooting Involving 7-Month-Old

DON'T MISS

Fresno Team Makes Low-Budget Horror Flicks Look Like Multi-Million-Dollar Productions

DON'T MISS

4B Movement: After the Election, a Call for Women to Swear Off Men

DON'T MISS

Homeowners’ Effort to Leave Sierra Unified Ends With County Ed Rejection

DON'T MISS

Will Terance Frazier’s Nonprofit Exit Granite Park or Fight?

DON'T MISS

Fresno Crash Sends Pickup Into Tree, Dark Tint Cited as Cause

DON'T MISS

November Has Scattered Cool Temps, Rain Showers for Fresno

DON'T MISS

Beyoncé Makes Grammy History With ‘Cowboy Carter,’ Leading 2025 Nominations

DON'T MISS

Macklin Celebrini, NHL’s Youngest Player, Scores on Marc-Andre Fleury, League’s Oldest

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest Gang Members in Shooting Involving 7-Month-Old

UP NEXT

Fresno Team Makes Low-Budget Horror Flicks Look Like Multi-Million-Dollar Productions

UP NEXT

Homeowners’ Effort to Leave Sierra Unified Ends With County Ed Rejection

UP NEXT

Will Terance Frazier’s Nonprofit Exit Granite Park or Fight?

UP NEXT

Fresno Crash Sends Pickup Into Tree, Dark Tint Cited as Cause

UP NEXT

November Has Scattered Cool Temps, Rain Showers for Fresno

UP NEXT

San Francisco’s First Black Female Mayor Concedes to Levi Strauss Heir

UP NEXT

USDA Bans School Lunch Fees for Low-Income Families

UP NEXT

Southern California Wildfire Destroys 132 Structures as Officials Look for Fierce Winds to Subside

UP NEXT

The Latest: House Remains in the Balance as World Reaction to Trump Victory Keeps Pouring In

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

4B Movement: After the Election, a Call for Women to Swear Off Men

3 hours ago

Homeowners’ Effort to Leave Sierra Unified Ends With County Ed Rejection

4 hours ago

Will Terance Frazier’s Nonprofit Exit Granite Park or Fight?

4 hours ago

Fresno Crash Sends Pickup Into Tree, Dark Tint Cited as Cause

5 hours ago

November Has Scattered Cool Temps, Rain Showers for Fresno

6 hours ago

Beyoncé Makes Grammy History With ‘Cowboy Carter,’ Leading 2025 Nominations

6 hours ago

Macklin Celebrini, NHL’s Youngest Player, Scores on Marc-Andre Fleury, League’s Oldest

6 hours ago

Ramsey, Beckham Return to SoFi Stadium When the Struggling Dolphins Visit the Streaking Rams

7 hours ago

San Francisco’s First Black Female Mayor Concedes to Levi Strauss Heir

7 hours ago

FBI Thwarts Iranian Murder-for-Hire Plan Targeting Donald Trump

7 hours ago

Over 2,500 Central Unified Students Receive Spirit Sweaters at 20th Annual ‘Warm for Winter’

The Foundation for Central Schools hosted its 20th annual Warm for Winter event on Friday at Houghton-Kearney K-8 School. They provided over...

34 mins ago

The Foundation for Central Schools' 20th annual Warm for Winter event provided over 2,500 Central Unified students with spirit sweaters, thanks to community partnerships and generous donors. (Central Foundation)
34 mins ago

Over 2,500 Central Unified Students Receive Spirit Sweaters at 20th Annual ‘Warm for Winter’

1 hour ago

Fresno Police Arrest Gang Members in Shooting Involving 7-Month-Old

2 hours ago

Fresno Team Makes Low-Budget Horror Flicks Look Like Multi-Million-Dollar Productions

Following the results of Tuesday's election, Jada Mevs, a 25-year-old from Washington, D.C., is urging women to take action by signing up for self-defense classes, deleting dating apps, getting on birth control, and investing in vibrators, as part of a growing response to the election of Donald Trump for a second term and the failure of abortion rights referendums. (Shutterstock)
3 hours ago

4B Movement: After the Election, a Call for Women to Swear Off Men

4 hours ago

Homeowners’ Effort to Leave Sierra Unified Ends With County Ed Rejection

4 hours ago

Will Terance Frazier’s Nonprofit Exit Granite Park or Fight?

5 hours ago

Fresno Crash Sends Pickup Into Tree, Dark Tint Cited as Cause

6 hours ago

November Has Scattered Cool Temps, Rain Showers for Fresno

Search

Send this to a friend