Letters to the editor | Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020: Support for congressional candidates Howze and Harder

Where does Howze really live?

Re “Howze’s residency called into question” (First Page, Feb. 20): I was saddened, but not shocked. Saddened to see that Ted Howze was at best telling a half-truth when he said he “lives, works and is registered to vote in the city of Turlock.” Not shocked, because this is not the first time in his public life that Howze has played fast and loose with the truth.

After Howze’s campaign for county supervisor, he sued his opponent’s campaign committee for defamation. This claim was deemed so off-based and frivolous that the presiding judge dismissed the suit with prejudice. Howze was required to pay all the defendant’s legal fees.

When former Turlock mayor Gary Soiseth was running for re-election and several of his campaign signs were defaced with slurs, Howze claimed on his personal Facebook page that Gary perpetrated the vandalism himself in a plea for sympathy. Howze offered no proof, just accusations.

Now we see that Howze has been attempting to deceive the voters in the 10th District about where he lives. With his past track record of wild accusations and sleazy politics, I don’t see why anyone would believe him about anything.

Howze’s heart is with us

I am in my mid 70s, and when I earned my right to vote at age 21 (not 18 — 26th amendment, 1971) and after serving almost four years in the U.S. Army, I have never missed a vote — city, county, state or national. I always vote in person, and proudly show my ID, because I believe everyone should. I was a Democrat in the beginning and still a proud union member. I voted for Bobby Kennedy. Since then I have watched Democrats leave the working people, take our taxes, and elevate illegals to a status that seems above U.S. citizens.

In this primary I will vote for the person who has sweat equity in the Central Valley, whose heart is with us, the little working people, and has a bit of cow plucky on his boots. I will proudly cast my vote for Ted Howze.

Harder shares our values

In July 2018, when Josh Harder was a congressional candidate, I attended a march in Modesto to protest Trump’s policy of detaining children at the border. After listening to Harder’s speech I realized we shared the same values.

Since Josh was elected as our congressman, I have attended several of his town hall meetings. I see how concerned he is with everyone’s issues. He doesn’t see Democrat or Republican; he sees people, human beings who need help with medical care, veteran services and other issues. He listens to their problems, then takes names and phone numbers of those requesting assistance.

Harder has supported 312 bipartisan bills, and advocated for Central Valley families who were owed over $500,000 in payments by the VA, IRS, Medicare and other federal agencies. He also sponsored an amendment to the Protecting Americans with Pre-existing Conditions Act to help protect people who require mental health care and treatment from losing their insurance coverage.

I hope Valley residents see Josh Harder as a man who truly cares about people no matter what party they belong to and vote for him again on March 3.

Let’s give Condit a chance

Channce Condit, candidate for Stanislaus County supervisor District 5, has pledged to improve the quality of life and bring accountability and responsiveness to local government. He has pledged to improve basic infrastructure such as sidewalks, county roads, safe drinking water, and maintaining safe neighborhoods for everyone.

Condit will practice what he preaches.