Bill Clinton endorses four in tight N. Calif. congressional races

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Former President Bill Clinton attended a UC Davis rally Tuesday to endorse four Northern California Democrats in tight congressional races.

Clinton gave resounding backing to Reps. John Garamendi of Walnut Creek and Jerry McNerney of Pleasanton, as well as former astronaut Jose Hernandez, who is challenging Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Atwater), and physician Ami Bera, who is making his second run at Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Gold River).

Garamendi faces opposition from Republican Kim Vann, a Colusa County supervisor, and McNerney is challenged by Republican Ricky Gill, a farmer and small-business owner.

‘The four people I’m on stage with — two in Congress, two trying to get there — each in their own way, they represent the American dream,’ Clinton told the crowd. ‘They prove that a commitment to shared prosperity works better than ‘Trickle down, you’re on your own.’’

The former president also referred to the ads that the National Republican Congressional Committee has been running locally against all four Democrats. He called allegations in the ads, that Democrats have cut Medicare benefits, false.

All four races are among 10 in California that are targeted by both major parties as they battle for control of the House.

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--Jean Merl