Modesto Bee endorses this candidate in Fifth Congressional District

Nathan Magsig is the best candidate for California’s Fifth Congressional District.

The Clovis Republican stood out among four hopefuls debating before Modesto Bee editors as having the best grasp on issues facing the newly formed Fifth District. It sprawls across eight counties, but its heart is right here in Stanislaus County, which is home to more district voters than any of the other seven (Tuolumne, Calaveras, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, El Dorado and Amador).

About two-thirds of Stanislaus voters are in the Fifth, which includes most of Modesto and Turlock and all of Riverbank, Oakdale, Waterford and Hughson — all areas east of Highway 99. The other third are in the 13th Congressional District; The Bee’s recommendation for that race will appear Sunday.

Absent from The Bee forum were Republicans Kelsten Obert of Modesto and Tom McClintock of Elk Grove. The latter has a long record in the California Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives, where he currently serves a district that essentially no longer exists because of redistricting.

Candidates are aware that McClatchy Newspapers policy requires that they participate in forums to be eligible for The Bee’s endorsement in the June 7 primary (the top two vote-getters advance to the November general election, regardless of party). It’s disappointing that McClintock failed to respond to invitations, but not surprising in light of his reluctance over the years to engage with voters through media.

It’s possible that McClintock, of Elk Grove (not in the Fifth District; House members aren’t required to live in districts they represent), did not want to answer questions about his hard-right record, including voting against the COVID-19 relief relied on by tens of thousands of our people. He also voted against impeaching former President Donald Trump for trying to extort a political favor from Ukraine.

Fortunately, voters have an option in Magsig, a Fresno County supervisor and former Clovis mayor who has two decades of office-holding experience, and who isn’t afraid to talk with journalists.

In The Bee’s debate, which can be viewed at modbee.com/opinion/, Magsig correctly noted the disparity between rural and urban counties receiving COVID relief, and pledged to stand up for have-nots. And his will be a reliable voice in the ongoing battle to preserve our farmers’ longstanding water rights.

Magsig knows the value of thinning forests as a means of protection against wildfires plaguing the mountainous Fifth District. And he is a champion of biomass plants, a win-win renewable energy source that helps rid forests of downed trees.

Other Fifth District candidates

Another Republican, David Main of Cameron Park east of Sacramento, has a resume that will appeal to many voters — West Point graduate, Army service, emergency room physician. But he has no experience in office and his campaign is dwarfed by those of Magsig and McClintock.

Manteca’s Mike Barkley is the sole Democrat in this race for an obvious reason: All others acknowledge that conservatives have a lock on the Fifth, whose voter registration tilts sharply right. Barkley’s progressive message has virtually no chance in this district, but he’s a perennial candidate (this is his fifth try for Congress) who enjoys running regardless of outcome.

Steve Wosniak of Modesto shares a name with the electronics giant who co-founded Apple, but little else. Candidate Wosniak might appeal to some because he’s independent of either major party, but without support he has little hope of winning.

This opinion page in early February rued the redistricting that splintered Stanislaus County, and called for a centrist Republican with a proven track record — in the mold of Kristin Olsen, Anthony Cannella or Vito Chiesa, by name — to step forward. Magsig did, and guess what? He is endorsed by Olsen, Cannella and Chiesa.

Nathan Magsig has what it takes to represent us in the Fifth Congressional District.

This story was originally published May 6, 2022 at 4:00 AM.