McClintock attends GOP fundraiser in Modesto, unseen by protesters outside
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information at the Modesto Peace/Life Center was among the organizers of the protest. It was not.
Inside Whiskey Jack’s on Friday evening was a Republican fundraiser, replete with food, well-dressed guests and speeches. Outside, in the 98-degree heat, were over 100 protesters with signs, trying to shame people as they entered the restaurant.
Signs read “GOP Greed Over People” and “McClintock town hall, nope, $$ HAUL.” Several protesters had baseball caps meant to look like chickens, directed at Rep. Tom McClintock, who spoke at the event but has not held an in-person town hall and only recently reopened his Modesto District office.
The cost to attend the Modesto fundraiser was $125 general admission or $1,300 to $3,500 for a table or host fee. McClintock entered and exited the venue without being spotted by the protesters.
The protest on the sidewalk surrounding the Kansas Avenue restaurant was organized by groups including Indivisible Stanislaus, Be The Change and Turlock Dems.
The fundraising event, known as the Lincoln Day Dinner, was keynoted by Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, but McClintock appeared to be the main focus of the protest.
Linda Nelson said she was thankful to find a spot under a tree where there was some shade. “We just have to stand up to the GOP, and especially Tom McClintock, who refuses to meet with anybody but his donors who are here today,” she said.
Colby Zavala, a member of Indivisible, said he went by the congressman’s office May 28 and met with two new staffers who were setting up.
As of May 30, the office was open, with McClintock’s chief of staff answering the door. He referred all questions to McClintock’s spokesperson, who did not respond to The Bee’s request for comment on the event or his office reopening.
Hundreds pack fundraiser venue
The fundraiser at Whiskey Jack’s was attended by about 250 people, according to Stanislaus County Republican Party Chairman Joel Campos, who said he appreciated the connections he made with fellow attendees.
“The purpose of it is to celebrate our efforts from the prior year and also gear us up for the next election,” he said.
Because of space constraints inside Whiskey Jack’s, the event spilled over onto a patio area. Protesters tried to drown out speakers, Campos said, but that only galvanized the fundraiser attendees.
Daniel Bruce, a Modestan, held a sign that read, “Tom McClintock is a Trump Dupe,” and a water gun to help beat the heat while sweat dripped from his forehead.
“I’d rather be doing other things, honestly,” he said. “But it’s hot and I’m angry and I’m just feeling like I’ve got to do something.”
Bruce said as a constituent of McClintock’s district, he’s upset he does not represent all of the people in his district, unlike his previous representative, Josh Harder.
Cassie Boland was born and raised in Modesto. This is the first protest she’s been to and her concerns were directed at the federal level. “If we don’t do something to stop this, they’re going to come after the people I care about and I don’t want that,” she said.
Her brother is a substitute teacher and on the autism spectrum. “I’m worried about him being put on a registry, like RFK is doing,” she said. “That’s one of my biggest concerns.”
Boland was referring to a proposal by the current head of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to use Medicare and Medicaid to create a database of people diagnosed with autism. According to Autistic Self Advocacy Network, those statements have since been walked back.
Shelley Tennyson said she came out because she is worried about fascism. “I’m going to as many rallies as I can because I think what’s happening is abominable and scary,” she said. “I’m 75 years old and I’ve never seen anything like this in my whole life – It’s just not the country I grew up in.”
Organizers reached out to police beforehand and were told to stay out of the parking lot and to not block driveways.
Turlock resident Cathy Doo, one of the organizers, said, “We have no reason to anger either the restaurant or have any of our cars towed or ticketed.”
Police cars circled the area periodically, as did an AMR ambulance that appeared to be making rounds with its sirens blaring.
Campos said one protester got into the venue but was escorted out by police.
Heated exchange between protester, attendee
Though there were no physical altercations, there was an incident when one protester said to an attendee who was walking into the venue, “Watch out that you don’t get deported.”
The attendee replied that the statement was racist and “You better be careful with people like me because I will f—king ‘molly wop’ your a–.”
Stanislaus Indivisible responded with a statement on Facebook that read in part, “Indivisible Stanislaus is aware of an incident that occurred on May 30th 2025, during the protest outside of Representative McClintock’s fundraiser in Modesto. While we train our members and volunteers in nonviolent protest and de-escalation techniques, we recognize that we cannot control the actions of every individual present at a public event.”
Stanislaus County GOP also responded to the incident on its Instagram, releasing a statement that read in part, “It’s not surprising that progressive extremists would reveal their true nature when faced with the reality that the Republican Party of Stanislaus County is a diverse, dynamic and growing coalition committed to advancing freedom and opportunity.”
The statement did not address what the attendee said in response.
Organizers handed out water bottles as the protest wore on. The event ended around 9:00 p.m. and the protest had fully dispersed by 8 p.m.
James Jensen was taking photos at the driveway into the parking lot for Indivisible. He said he got there a little before 5 p.m.
“I don’t know that anything will come of it, other than we educate people driving by,” he said. “The fact that there is more [supportive] honking than these people makes me happy.”
This story was originally published June 2, 2025 at 2:39 PM.
