Voters in California’s 23rd Congressional District are getting a rematch this November between sitting Rep. Jay Obernolte and progressive activist Derek Marshall. Once again, we back the re-election of Obernolte, whose vast experience and fiscally sensible track record make him the clear choice in this race.
Obernolte got off to a rocky start in Congress, to be sure, with his vote to decertify the 2020 presidential election. He explained at the time his objections were not based on nutty election fraud conspiracy theories, but rather objections that election changes conducted via court order or executive actions were unconstitutional. Such arguments never got anywhere.
Since then, however, he has certainly grown in the role of a congressman. He has staked out a reputation for working across the aisle, prioritizing local issues and has become a leading voice on artificial intelligence regulation.
His voting record has remained fiscally conservative, and Obernolte can speak fluently about the problem of debt and deficits in a way many members of Congress can’t. He recognizes the link between profligate federal spending and inflation, and can be counted on to consider the long-term fiscal impact of federal policy.
He has also maintained a sensible stance on foreign policy issues. “I do not support nation building around the globe,” he argues. “I believe we need to bring Russia to the table to force a peace agreement for Ukraine, whether through economic sanctions or other means.”
And unlike the populist elements in his party, he still defends free trade. “Lowering barriers to trade reduces costs for consumers and that benefits the general public,” he explained. “Tariffs should only be used in rare instances to deter unfair trade practices.”
This isn’t to say we agree with him on everything. He’s a bit too lenient on the surveillance state and hasn’t fully come around on ending cannabis prohibition at the federal level. (Though, on the latter point, he favors banking reforms to make it easier for state-sanctioned marijuana businesses to access banking services.)
By contrast, his opponent pitches a standard progressive policy agenda. Some of which, to be sure, is reasonable, but most of which is not. A vote for Marshall is a vote for big government, which isn’t what American needs. Fundamentally, we don’t see any reasonable case for ousting Obernolte from office.
Re-elect him to Congress.
