http://www.beraforcongress.com en Copyright 2012 2012-12-12T17:12:28+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/congressman-elect-bera-hires-key-staff-as-he-prepares-to-take-office/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/congressman-elect-bera-hires-key-staff-as-he-prepares-to-take-office/ For Immediate ReleasePress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comDecember 12, 2012916-544-3273 ELK GROVE, CA - After spending two weeks at orientation in Washington, D.C. preparing to take office, Congressman-elect Ami Bera announced today the hiring of his two top aides. Mini Timmaraju, who most recently served as Director of the Office of the President at Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and a former District Director for a Member of Congress, will be his Chief of Staff. Faith Whitmore, who has served Sacramento County as a Pastor and community leader for the past 28 years, will be his District Director. 2012-12-12T16:12:28+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/information-on-president-obamas-inauguration/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/information-on-president-obamas-inauguration/ 2012-12-10T17:41:20+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/ap-calls-the-race-for-bera-in-californias-7th-district/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/ap-calls-the-race-for-bera-in-californias-7th-district/ For Immediate ReleasePress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comNovember 15th, 2012916-544-3273 ELK GROVE, CA - This afternoon, the Associated Press reported that Dr. Ami Bera has defeated Congressman Lungren in the race for California’s 7th Congressional seat. The article is available here.  Dr. Bera offered the following comment:  “It will be an honor to serve Sacramento County in Congress,” said Dr. Bera. “Now is the time to find common ground and move forward to rebuild an economy that works for the middle class. Congressman Lungren deserves our appreciation for his long record of public service.” 2012-11-16T01:36:16+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/ap-calls-the-race-for-bera-in-californias-7th-district/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/ap-calls-the-race-for-bera-in-californias-7th-district/ 2012-11-16T01:33:37+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/beras-lead-widens-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-district/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/beras-lead-widens-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-district/ For Immediate ReleasePress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comNovember 15th, 2012916-544-3273  ELK GROVE, CA - This afternoon, the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters announced that Dr. Ami Bera increased his lead against Dan Lungren in the race for California’s 7th Congressional seat. Bera is now ahead by 2.2% and leads by 5,696 votes. Bera's lead has widened with each new count.  Dr. Bera offered the following comment:  “It's increasingly clear that the voters of Sacramento County want new leadership that puts the people first. Our lead continues to widen and we are confident that this election will be resolved in our favor. The people at the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters have exemplified fairness and transparency throughout this process.” 2012-11-15T22:40:04+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/beras-lead-widens-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-district/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/beras-lead-widens-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-district/ 2012-11-15T22:32:17+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/beras-lead-continues-to-grow-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-dist/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/beras-lead-continues-to-grow-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-dist/ For Immediate ReleasePress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comNovember 13th, 2012916-544-3273  ELK GROVE, CA - This afternoon, the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters announced that Dr. Ami Bera increased his lead against Dan Lungren in the race for California’s 7th Congressional seat to 3,824 votes. Bera is now ahead by more than 1.5 percent and has more than doubled his previous lead. Dr. Bera offered the following comment:  “There are still ballots remaining, but we are confident that Sacramento County voted for new leadership that will put the people first. The dedicated citizens at the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters are working hard to deliver a timely and accurate result.” 2012-11-13T22:39:09+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/beras-lead-continues-to-grow-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-dist/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/beras-lead-continues-to-grow-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-dist/ 2012-11-13T22:36:59+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/dr.-ami-bera-offers-veterans-day-remarks/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/dr.-ami-bera-offers-veterans-day-remarks/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comNovember 12, 2012916-544-3273 ELK GROVE, CA - Dr. Ami Bera offered the following comments on the importance of serving our Veterans:  “Our veterans have served us all and made many sacrifices to keep us safe. Now we must serve them,” said Dr. Bera. “These brave Americans deserve healthcare, education and support worthy of their service. Today and every day, all Americans should take time to honor the selfless men and women who have given so much to our great nation.” Yesterday, Dr. Bera attended a Veterans Day BBQ in Elk Grove. He has worked in VA hospitals and has taken care of veterans of World War II and the Korean War. In Congress, he will work to make sure veterans get the mental and physical care they need when they come back from serving overseas. 2012-11-12T23:31:04+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-increases-lead-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-district/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-increases-lead-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-district/ 2012-11-09T22:40:19+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-increases-lead-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-district/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-increases-lead-in-race-for-californias-7th-congressional-district/ For Immediate ReleasePress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comNovember 9th, 2012916-544-3273  ELK GROVE, CA - This afternoon, the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters announced that Dr. Ami Bera increased his lead against Dan Lungren in the race for California’s 7th Congressional seat. Bera now leads by nearly a percentage point and is 1,779 votes ahead. Dr. Bera offered the following comment: “This is still a close race, but we remain confident that the voters of Sacramento County voted for new leadership that puts the people first. The Sacramento County Registrar’s Office staff are working diligently and are committed to the integrity of our elections.” 2012-11-09T22:37:57+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-maintains-lead-over-lungren-in-hotly-contested-congressional-race/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-maintains-lead-over-lungren-in-hotly-contested-congressional-race/ For Immediate ReleasePress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comNovember 7th, 2012916-544-3273 ELK GROVE, CA - Early this morning, the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters announced that the Bera-Lungren Congressional race was too close to call. Dr. Bera leads Congressman Lungren by 184 votes, although there are absentee and provisional ballots that still need to be counted. Dr. Ami Bera offered the following comments: “Although we do not know our race’s final results, we feel confident going into the next several days,” said Dr. Bera. “The Sacramento County Registrar of Voters is doing an incredible job with the difficult task of counting tens of thousands of provisional and absentee ballots. The top priority right now is to make sure that every vote is fairly counted.” 2012-11-07T21:01:43+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-maintains-lead-over-lungren-in-hotly-contested-congressional-race/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-maintains-lead-over-lungren-in-hotly-contested-congressional-race/ 2012-11-07T20:56:14+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/important-election-day-information/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/important-election-day-information/ 2012-11-06T00:29:45+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-campaign-announces-election-night-party/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-campaign-announces-election-night-party/ 2012-11-04T03:58:36+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/washington-post-moves-bera-lungren-rematch-to-lean-democratic/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/washington-post-moves-bera-lungren-rematch-to-lean-democratic/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comNovember 2nd, 2012916-544-3273  Today, the Washington Post moved the Bera-Lungren race from a "toss-up" to "lean Democratic." This shift follows last month's similar change in the University of Virginia Center for Politics' "Sabato's Crystal Ball" rankings. It is the latest sign of the Bera campaign's intensifying momentum, following the endorsements of President Clinton and the Sacramento Bee and the campaign's strongest fundraising quarter ever. Washington Post, 11/02/12 CA-7 moves from “tossup” to “lean Democratic” Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) is starting to look like a bit of an underdog in his rematch with physician Ami Bera (D). Recent polls show the race close, and Republicans are starting to lose hope. 2012-11-02T22:53:26+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/lungren-touts-endorsement-by-group-that-wants-to-end-medicare/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/lungren-touts-endorsement-by-group-that-wants-to-end-medicare/ For Immediate ReleasePress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comNovember 2nd, 2012916-544-3273  ELK GROVE, CA - Congressman Lungren continues to tout his endorsement from Americans for Tax Reform, a group that seeks to impose its radical ideology on lawmakers to prevent compromise, preserve tax breaks for special interests, and end the Medicare guarantee.  Dr. Ami Bera offered the following comment: “For Congressman Lungren to claim that his affiliation with this hyper-partisan organization somehow means he can create jobs is absurd," said Dr. Bera. “We need to protect Medicare by lowering the cost of health care, not privatize the program and pass soaring costs onto our seniors. It’s time for new leaders who will put people before politics and special interests to create jobs and rebuild the middle class.” 2012-11-02T15:49:51+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-campaign-relases-final-ad-endorsed/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-campaign-relases-final-ad-endorsed/ For Immediate ReleasePress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comNovember 1st, 2012916-544-3273  ELK GROVE, CA - Today, the Bera for Congress campaign released its final ad, "Endorsed," touting the endorsement of the Sacramento Bee. After endorsing Congressman Lungren in 2010, the Bee switched its endorsement to Dr. Bera, stating "Lungren has failed to meet local expectations. Even worse, Lungren has voted on a litany of bad bills to block the president's economic stimulus, roll back environmental protections, repeal health care reform and limit women's reproductive choices... [H]e has far too often taken positions that are out of step with his district."  Dr. Ami Bera offered the following comment: "Voters are tired of all the misleading attacks on the airwaves, so we decided to let the Sacramento Bee’s endorsement speak for itself," said Dr. Bera. "This message cuts through the GOP smear campaign and makes it clear who really stands for women's rights and the middle class." 2012-11-01T22:44:48+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-campaign-condemns-lungren-for-financing-personal-expenses-with-campaig/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-campaign-condemns-lungren-for-financing-personal-expenses-with-campaig/ For Immediate ReleasePress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comNovember 1st, 2012916-544-3273 ELK GROVE, CA - Today, Dr. Ami Bera condemned Congressman Lungren for using campaign funds to finance personal expenses. Campaign Manager Josh Wolf offered the following comment: “Congressman Lungren has a long history of using every trick in the book to secure personal gains from his political career,” said Wolf. “His latest tactic is to use campaign money from special interests to finance everything from a $1,000 meal in Washington to airfare for his wife. For Congressman Lungren, his greatest asset is his special-interest funded campaign." 2012-11-01T20:35:23+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/dr.-ami-bera-holds-rally-with-sandra-fluke/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/dr.-ami-bera-holds-rally-with-sandra-fluke/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comOctober 30, 2012916-544-3273 ELK GROVE, CA - Today, Sandra Fluke joined Dr. Ami Bera, Dr. Janine Bera, representatives from the California Nurses Association and Planned Parenthood, and other supporters for a rally to kick-off a women's day of action at Bera campaign headquarters in Elk Grove. Fluke is a women's rights activist who moved to the center of the national debate over access to birth control after Congressman Dan Lungren refused to televise her Congressional testimony, opting to only televise an all-male panel. Her eventual remarks were also met with derogatory comments from Rush Limbaugh and other conservative pundits. In the packed campaign office, Fluke called Bera "a doctor who understands how important women's health is, how critical it is, and who will stand with us when he gets to Congress" and cited "an extreme, incredible difference between Dr. Bera and his stand for women's health and Representative Lungren's absolutely dismal record." 2012-10-30T21:15:39+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-campaign-releases-new-ad-before-hosting-sandra-fluke/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-campaign-releases-new-ad-before-hosting-sandra-fluke/ For Immediate ReleasePress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comOctober 30th, 2012916-544-3273  ELK GROVE, CA - Today at 10 am, Sandra Fluke will join Dr. Ami Bera and Dr. Janine Bera at Bera campaign headquarters in Elk Grove for a rally to kick-off a women's day of action. Fluke is a women's rights activist who moved to the center of the national debate over access to birth control after Congressman Dan Lungren refused to televise her Congressional testimony, opting to only televise an all-male panel. Her eventual remarks were also met with derogatory comments from Rush Limbaugh and other conservative pundits. The Bera campaign also released a new ad today called "Question." The ad holds Congressman Lungren accountable for his extreme record on women's rights and women's health. You can view the ad below:   2012-10-30T21:05:05+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-launches-offensive-against-lungren-over-womens-issues/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-launches-offensive-against-lungren-over-womens-issues/ 2012-10-30T17:36:43+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-campaign-exposes-lungrens-hypocrisy-on-the-gas-tax/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-campaign-exposes-lungrens-hypocrisy-on-the-gas-tax/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comOctober 25, 2012916-544-3273 ELK GROVE, CA - Congressman Lungren continued his hypocritical attacks on Dr. Ami Bera today, alleging Bera supports increasing the gas tax when Bera has made it clear that he does not. In reality, Congressman Lungren is the only candidate in the race who voted to double the federal gas tax, supported increasing the gas tax even further in California, and consistently votes to give oil companies special treatment while taking money from them. Campaign Manager Josh Wolf offered the following comment: “After more than 30 years in politics, Congressman Lungren is resorting to false and misleading attacks instead of standing by his own record,” said Wolf. “Not only is Dr. Bera against raising the gas tax, but Congressman Lungren more than doubled it and looks out for big oil at every turn. It’s unfortunate that a career politician can’t run on his own accomplishments.” 2012-10-25T20:46:37+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-lungren-rematch-rated-leans-democratic/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-lungren-rematch-rated-leans-democratic/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comOctober 25, 2012916-544-3273 This morning, The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia moved the Bera-Lungren race from a "toss-up" to "leans Democratic" in its updated "Sabato's Crystal Ball" rankings. This new ranking is the latest addition to the Bera campaign's building momentum since receiving the endorsements of President Clinton and The Sacramento Bee, and having the campaign's strongest fundraising quarter ever. 2012-10-25T20:31:52+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/dr.-ami-bera-op-ed-no-budget-no-pay/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/dr.-ami-bera-op-ed-no-budget-no-pay/ 2012-10-23T23:14:24+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/nrcc-continues-desperate-misleading-attacks-against-dr.-bera/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/nrcc-continues-desperate-misleading-attacks-against-dr.-bera/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comOctober 23, 2012916-544-3273  ELK GROVE, CA - Today, the NRCC released another deliberately misleading attack ad that falsely accuses Dr. Bera of wanting to raise taxes, when in fact, Congressman Lungren voted twice to raises taxes on the middle class to fund tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. [H Con Res 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11; H.Con.Res. 112, Vote #151, 3/29/12]  Dr. Ami Bera offered the following comment: “This misleading ad is only the most recent attempt to cover up Congressman Lungren’s history of putting special interests and partisan politics ahead of the people of our community,” said Dr. Bera. “We need a leader who will fight for middle class families. On November 6th, we’ll prove that grassroots politics is more powerful than the anonymously-funded attacks of special interests and elect a leader who will put the people first.” 2012-10-23T17:36:03+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/dr.-ami-bera-comments-on-congressman-lungrens-hypocrisy-on-veterans1/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/dr.-ami-bera-comments-on-congressman-lungrens-hypocrisy-on-veterans1/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comOctober 22, 2012916-544-3273 ELK GROVE, CA - Last week, Congressman Lungren sent out a press release touting his supposed support for our veterans and questioning Ami Bera’s. In reality, Lungren has voted against veteran’s interests repeatedly, while Bera will work to provide our heroes with quality healthcare and education. “Our veterans have served us, and now we must serve them,” said Dr. Bera. “We must make sure they have access to the education and healthcare that they need. This latest political stunt is Congressman Lungren’s hypocrisy at its worst. He has a shameful record on veteran’s issues, but that doesn’t stop him from playing politics by questioning my commitment to our veterans. We need real leaders in Congress who will put people before politics.” 2012-10-22T15:46:18+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-for-congress-releases-new-ad-no-pay/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-for-congress-releases-new-ad-no-pay/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comOctober 19, 2012916-544-3273 ELK GROVE, CA – Yesterday, Bera for Congress released a new ad, “No Pay,” which highlights the absurdity of members of Congress getting paid despite failing to pass a responsible budget each year. 2012-10-19T18:22:30+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-slams-lungren-for-wasteful-extremist-use-of-tax-dollars/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-slams-lungren-for-wasteful-extremist-use-of-tax-dollars/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Contact: Allison Teixeirapress@beraforcongress.comOctober 19, 2012916-544-3273 ELK GROVE, CA - Congressman Lungren has personally wasted $1.5 million taxpayer dollars defending discriminatory legislation that a federal court of appeals ruled unconstitutional yesterday. That legislation, DOMA, has now been defeated five straight times in court. “Congressman Lungren and his radical allies in Congress have wasted $1.5 million taxpayer dollars to fund their extreme agenda, instead of working to create jobs and rebuild the middle class,” said Dr. Bera. “This wasteful spending an insult to all of the hardworking taxpayers who expect our government to serve our interests, not a radical ideological agenda.” 2012-10-19T16:32:55+00:00 http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-lungren-listed-as-a-top-race-to-watch/ http://www.beraforcongress.com/press_releases/entry/bera-lungren-listed-as-a-top-race-to-watch/ 2012-10-17T17:04:48+00:00