California Media Denies Equal Coverage for Republican Candidates

Recently, the junior Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer from California announced her retirement at the end of her current Senate term.

Now, the media is looking to the political elite to scope out a potential replacement. Buzz has circulated about Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa potentially running. California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed he would not be seeking Boxer’s seat. California Attorney General Kamala Harris officially announced her intention to run for the Democratic-held seat.

Villaraigosa, Newsom and Harris were all considered frontrunners to fill the Democratic-held safe seat. With Newsom out, Villaraigosa and Harris are considered strong contenders.

With all of the media hype surrounding prominent Democrats in California, prominent Republicans who might seek to run are being briefly mentioned or completely omitted from news stories. Republicans are automatically being overlooked as viable contenders, even though they have the experience and name recognition to win the seat.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 13, 2013, before the Senate Armed Services subcommittee on Personnel hearing on sexual assault in the military. Credit: AP

Tom Del Beccaro, former Chairman of the California Republican Party and Contributor to Forbes, is considered an ideal candidate for many conservative Californians and moderate Democrats. Del Beccaro seems to have enough support from voters of all demographics and parties, despite his strong affiliation to the Republican Party.

Through his opinion pieces at various outlets and his new book, "The Divided Era," Del Beccaro has established a working relationship with voters. Even though he has the “stamp of approval” by the GOP, he has also earned the respect of many moderate Democrats and even some Independents.

Recently, Del Beccaro released a statement saying he is considering a potential 2016 run:

“The retirement of Barbara Boxer provides California with the opportunity for new leadership. Our state needs a hopeful voice that will bring balance to our representation in Washington and favor economic prosperity for all Californians over economic directives from government.

“Let’s talk to more Californians than ever before. It’s time for the Republicans to truly go outside their comfort zone and bring their message to as many Californians as possible. By coming together for a common goal – prosperity – we can heal the growing divide in California between those struggling to make a living and those prospering.”

During his tenure as Chairman of the California Republican Party, Del Beccaro invited Democrats, Independents and members of the Service Unions Employees International and other liberal-leaning organizations to get to know the core values of the GOP by asking questions at town hall meetings. His focus was on closing the political division in our state by listening to the concerns of everyone, not just those who agreed with him politically.

Even though Del Beccaro has dedicated himself to the overall goal of prosperity and well being of all Californians, prominent news outlets, like the San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times are overshadowing any potential he has by making Villaraigosa and Harris the focus of their news stories.

Source: Shutterstock

Briefly mentioning a viable contender because they’re of the minority party is journalistically appalling. Whatever happened to fair reporting, where any personal opinions and political agendas were irrelevant? What happened to real journalism, where all the facts are reported, not just the facts the reporters and the publishers like?

California has a real opportunity to seek change. Californians can seek a different path. We don’t know what the Golden State will choose until we leave it to the voters. Assuming voters will choose the most progressive liberal possible is an insult to those of us who live here. Not all of us want "hope and change." Not all of us chose to have our beloved state move the direction it’s going.

It’s time for the media to allow the voter to make their own decisions. It’s time for the media to do their job and report the facts, not their own biased opinions. Jumping to conclusions this early in the game not only hurts our political process but it’s degrading to voters.

Beth Baumann is a public relations professional, the former Communications Assistant at The American Conservative Union & Contributor for PolitiChicks, 2AO Nation & TheBlaze. Twitter: @eb454 Email: elizabeth.ann.baumann@gmail.com

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