Bobby Bliatout
Bobby Bliatout (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 22nd Congressional District. He lost in the primary on March 3, 2020.
Bliatout was a 2018 Democratic candidate for California's 22nd Congressional District in the U.S. House. He lost the primary on June 5, 2018.
Biography
Bliatout graduated from California State University, Bakersfield. He co-founded Health and Life Organization, Inc. (H.A.L.O.), a system of health clinics. As of his 2020 campaign, Bliatout was CEO of the Greater Fresno Health Organization and CFO of H.A.L.O.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: California's 22nd Congressional District election, 2020
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 22
Incumbent Devin Nunes defeated Phil Arballo in the general election for U.S. House California District 22 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Devin Nunes (R) | 54.2 | 170,888 |
 | Phil Arballo (D) | 45.8 | 144,251 | |
| Total votes: 315,139 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 22
Incumbent Devin Nunes and Phil Arballo defeated Bobby Bliatout, Dary Rezvani, and Eric Garcia in the primary for U.S. House California District 22 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Devin Nunes (R) | 56.1 | 94,686 |
| ✔ | | Phil Arballo (D) | 25.0 | 42,218 |
 | Bobby Bliatout (D) | 13.1 | 22,078 | |
 | Dary Rezvani (D) | 3.1 | 5,273 | |
 | Eric Garcia (No party preference) | 2.7 | 4,515 | |
| Total votes: 168,770 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Heman Hill (Independent)
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 22
Incumbent Devin Nunes defeated Andrew Janz in the general election for U.S. House California District 22 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Devin Nunes (R) | 52.7 | 117,243 |
 | Andrew Janz (D) | 47.3 | 105,136 | |
| Total votes: 222,379 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 22
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 22 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Devin Nunes (R) | 57.6 | 70,112 |
| ✔ | | Andrew Janz (D) | 31.7 | 38,596 |
| Bobby Bliatout (D) | 4.9 | 6,002 | |
 | Ricardo Franco (D) | 3.6 | 4,365 | |
 | Brian T. Carroll (Independent) | 1.3 | 1,591 | |
 | Bill Merryman (L) | 0.9 | 1,137 | |
| Total votes: 121,803 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jose Sigala (D)
- Mallory Kremer (D)
- Paul Vargas (D)
Campaign finance
The table below contains data from FEC Quarterly January 2018 reports. It includes only candidates who have reported at least $10,000 in campaign contributions as of December 31, 2017.[2]
Democrats
Republicans
Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Bobby Bliatout did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Bliatout's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
AFFORDABLE & ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL As a director of safety net health clinics for the last 17 years and a cancer survivor, Bobby has seen our healthcare system firsthand, as both a provider and patient. He knows that it’s very expensive and for many, too hard to access. But it doesn't have to be. It’s part of why Bobby chose to run for Congress, because he knows all Americans deserve access to quality, affordable health care. On the other hand, Devin Nunes last year voted to have 30% of Bobby’s current patients lose their health care coverage, just because they were covered under the Affordable Care Act. In fact, Bobby reached out to the Congressman multiple times to discuss how the repeal and replace bill would hurt his patients, but was given the cold shoulder every time. That’s wrong, and in Congress he will fight that sort of mean-spirited approach to health care reform. But he won’t just fight against attempts to deprive people of their health insurance, he’ll also work to ensure Medicare for All to provide every American high-quality and low-cost health care. ENSURING CLEAN WATER The Valley’s agricultural lands are a critical strategic resource for our nation. But they won’t be if we continue to be deprived of a sustainable source of water. Like many people in the Valley, Bobby owns farmland and for several years, also farmed that land. He still has that deep appreciation for the land, and knows you can’t farm without water. It’s why in Congress, he’ll fight tirelessly to ensure the Central Valley has a reliable supply of clean water to maintain our vital agricultural resources. FIGHTING FOR A FAIRER ECONOMY Growing up, Bobby’s parents worked hard to provide for their family and eventually saved the money to open their own small business. But his family also fell on hard times and struggled to make ends meet. As someone who remembers what it’s like to struggle, Bobby understands this experience is all too familiar for many in the 22nd District, working two or three jobs just to survive. He knows we can only build the middle class by ensuring that working families don’t just live pay-check to pay-check, but have opportunities to grow their families’ wealth. That's why in Congress, Bobby will fight to ensure a fairer tax system, increase the availability of job training programs in emerging industries, protect small farmers, and increase investments in healthcare and education. CLEANING OUR AIR & FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE The 22nd District is one of the most polluted regions in America, with immensely dirty air and water. Bobby is committed to cleaning our air and water, and knows we can have both jobs & a clean environment. In Congress, he’ll be committed to helping bring high-paying green energy jobs to the Central Valley and combating the climate crisis. This starts with undoing the damaging environmental rollbacks by the Trump Administration, including restoring the Clean Air Act and re-entering the Paris Climate Accords. Bobby is also committed to providing federal grants to our local universities and community colleges to strengthen curriculum and training, and ultimately a Green New Deal for the Central Valley. FULLY FUNDED PUBLIC EDUCATION Bobby understands the immense power of a quality public education and will fight to fully fund our schools. That means putting more teachers and resources in classrooms, universal pre-K, and expanding vocational training. As a first-generation college student, Bobby remembers the critical financial aid he relied on, and in Congress, will work tirelessly to address the student loan crisis and ultimately ensure free public college for anyone who wants it SENSIBLE & HUMANE IMMIGRATION POLICY As the child of immigrants who fought alongside American troops and came to this country in search of a better life, Bobby is determined to combat the Trump Administration’s cruel and backwards immigration agenda and fight for a more compassionate and sensible system in Congress. This includes protecting DREAMers, fighting for a pathway to citizenship for people who have called America home for decades, and keeping families together by not separating children from their parents. FIX A BROKEN GOVERNMENT Bobby knows that the greatest way to ensure real reform in Washington is to get big money out of politics. It greatly sways public policy in the direction of the extremely wealthy and well-connected, and also discourages regular Americans from even considering getting engaged in the political process. That’s why in Congress, he’ll fight to overhaul our campaign finance system, including overturning Citizens United, reforming laws that undermine democracy for the benefit of wealthy interests, and strengthening public transparency. PROTECTING OUR FARMLAND As a former farmer, Bobby understands how critical it is to the entire 22nd District’s health and prosperity that we protect our farms and farmlands. Valley farms feed large parts of our nation and the world, but drought and corporate greed threatens their survival. If the 22nd District loses our small farmers, we likely lose that culture forever. Bobby recognizes the importance of agriculture as a national strategic resource, and in Congress, will ensure we preserve our farmlands. This includes prioritizing on the needs of small farmers who lack resources through grants and low-interest loans, fighting to designate California farmlands as national farm monuments, and working collaboratively to create a national commitment to innovation in agriculture by gathering the nation’s best and most innovative minds to make agriculture more sustainable STANDING UP FOR OUR VETERANS Americas' war veterans have a special place in Bobby’s heart. His family fought as part of the American mission in southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, and considers them American veterans as well. Bobby knows that every American who has fought for our nation deserves basic respect dignity and prosperity. No American veteran should return home from war only to find they have no job, no place to live, or inadequate healthcare coverage. That’s why Bobby is so infuriated when he sees veterans who are unemployed, without adequate housing, or even wandering the streets suffering from effects of PTSD or TBI. He knows we can do better, and if elected to Congress, will work to reform the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to make it more pro-active in caring for American veterans.[5] |
” |
| —Bobby Bliatout’s campaign website (2020)[6] | ||
2018
Campaign website
The following themes were found on Bliatout's campaign website:
| “ |
Health Care Reform The Affordable Care Act was a good start. But in my opinion the ACA is too complicated and discouraged too many people from taking part. That caused many of the hoped-for cost savings to be lost, so prices didn't go down. I believe there is a simple solution to reforming the ACA and making it work for everyone. America already has a structure to provide high-quality and low-cost health care. It's called Medicare. Here's the best way to fix the ACA. Basic health care plans for all Reinsurance program with small monthly payments Our providers won't change Gun Safety Laws In 1791 when James Madison wrote the 2nd Amendment, our nation was at a constant threat from many foreign powers such as France, Britain, and Spain. So, it was necessary for common people to be able to organize in militias to protect our nation. Today, it is a very different story. Today, Americans own 300 million guns. That has doubled in the last forty years. The first recognized mass shooting didn't happen in the United States until 1949... However, since 1988 there have been thirty-one mass shootings that have taken more than 1,000 lives, everyone from babies to seniors What’s changed after 1988? That’s simple. The NRA began a concerted push to protect gun manufacturers and organize extreme gun owners. And they’ve give nearly a billion dollars to politicians including $300 million to President Trump in 2016. The common denominator here is the easy access to guns by people who have no business owning a gun. “I am not afraid of the NRA and here are some common-sense solutions to gun violence that they have consistently opposed.”
— Bobby Bliatout
I have been criticized by some of my fellow gun owners for wanting these gun safety laws. It is absolutely ridiculous to have less stringent rules on purchasing guns and ammunition than monitoring over the counter drugs. Lifting the Middle Class Over the last forty years, the great American middle class has been shrinking. That means that more and more people are falling into a category considered low income. In Fresno County, for instance, 43% of residents are low income. To me, that's unacceptable. Here are some changes we can make to begin turning the tide:
Integrity in Government That's why I am particularly disturbed by the actions of President Trump's campaign and administration officials related to Russia's meddling in the election of the United States. After recent indictments by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, we know for sure that some, if not many, on the Trump campaign had illegal contact with foreign agents whose goal was to disrupt our presidential election. The fact that our current Congressman Devin Nunes was forced to recuse himself from investigating the Russia allegation is simply unacceptable. Worse yet, he has put politics over country in trying to put barriers in front of those who are trying to prosecute those who have betrayed our democracy. If I am elected to Congress, you can be sure I will never betray my nation in the name of partisanship–we have sacrificed too much for our freedoms to accept or excuse Mr. Nunes' actions." Saving our Farms
“Farming is a culture, and if we lose all our small farmers, we lose that culture forever.”
— Bobby Bliatout Smart solutions for Valley agriculture. I don't think that's a productive way to look at most issues and certainly not when it comes to an important industry like agriculture. The real issue is everyone recognizing the importance of agriculture as a national strategic resource. Here are some big things that I believe we all agree on to help preserve farmlands: Concentrate on the small farmers Farmland Protection Policy Act amendment. A national commitment to innovation in agriculture. Gather our best and most innovative minds to make agriculture more sustainable. An Affordable Education Our young people need to be educated. It's the best path to a good job and a better life. Because many young people understand this reality, they are taking on student loans to pay for their college education. In fact, Americans owe $1.3 trillion in student loan debt–that's trillion with a T. And it's also the second-highest level of consumer debt behind only home mortgages. I believe that this is a major problem that needs to be addressed aggressively and right away. It's just not right that young people start their post-college lives with the pressure of so much debt. Here a few thing we can do:
Immigration So last year, as many of us watched nervously as wild eyed supporters at Trump rallies chanted, "Build a wall," I was appalled but also resolved to support an intelligent and moral immigration policy. Here are some of my thoughts on reforming our current: The wall is divisive and a waste of tax payer money.
An effective visa policy Support the DREAM Act. I support both DACA protections and the Dream Act. It is both right and smart to promote a legal path to citizenship for our best and brightest young people. The fact that the Trump administration is reneging on their promise is both cruel and unintelligent. What value is their to our society to deport a college student on their way to the Ivy League? We need to keep our promises. Support path to a legal citizenship. I support a legal path to citizenship for anyone who can prove they have been a productive resident and are not convicted felons. People in this category should be given a visa and allowed to enter the naturalization process. This will help reconcile families and stop the hypocrisy of our current immigration policy. No ban of anyone based on their religion Patriotism I want to introduce you to my late uncle Eugene Vaj. More than anyone else in my life, my Uncle Eugene taught me about the meaning of true freedom and what it means to be an American. He was a major under the legendary General Vang Pao during the Vietnam War. General Vang Pao was a deeply respected Hmong elder who allied our Hmong clans with the United States. General Vang Pao's Special guerrilla units fought totalitarian communism in Laos and Vietnam as part of the American mission. My Uncle Eugene taught me that the Hmong people's mission in Southeast Asia was honorable. That we fought for political and social freedom and religious liberty. To this day many people in southeast Asia suffer at the hands of totalitarian governments. And every day, I am thankful for being an American and being blessed to live in a free society. -Bobby Bliatout The best foreign policy is diplomacy. Caring for Our Veterans So when I see veterans who are unemployed, without adequate housing, or even wandering the streets suffering from effects of PTSD or TBI–frankly, it makes me mad. I believe we can do better. If elected to Congress, I will work to reform the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to make it more pro-active in caring for American veterans. “No American veteran should return home from war only to find they have no job, nor a place to live, or adequate healthcare coverage.”
— Bobby Bliatout Facts about our vets
Source: Bureau of Veterans Affairs “Every American that has fought for their nation deserves the dignity of knowing their sacrifices are respected and bear the fruits of prosperity”
— Bobby Bliatout Reforms for the Veterans Administration Provide mental health recovery services, including PTSD/TBI, using the full extent of government resources. Work with landlords and local veterans' groups to ensure Veteran Section 8 vouchers are fully used. Hold VA-sponsored housing and health care training to assist our veterans. Environmental Stewardship It's also true that green jobs are some of the fastest-growing employment opportunities in California. These are quality jobs that range from engineering to installation in:
“I’m committed to helping bring high-paying green jobs to the Central Valley.”
— Bobby Bliatout
Tax Reform Most importantly the tax plan does nothing to incentivize corporations for keeping their operations in the U.S. So, Google and Apple will continue to make record profits while the American people pay for their 14% tax cut. The bottom line is that the so-called tax reform plan would help billionaires and corporations, all while hurting the Valley's middle-class and working families. “I say we reverse the Trump/Nunes tax plan and write one that revives our nation’s middle-class families, not tear them down making them pay for tax breaks for the rich and corporations.”
— Bobby Bliatout Tax reform to help the middle class Simplify the corporate tax code to eliminate ineffective tax breaks. We can reward corporations for creating jobs by making taxes straightforward and simple. Tax wealth and work the same way. Today, those who receive a salary pay a far higher tax rate than billionaires pay on their investments. [5] |
” |
| —Bobby Bliatout for Congress[7] | ||
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Facebook, "Bobby Bliatout For the Valley," accessed February 24, 2020
- ↑ FEC, "Federal Election Commission", accessed February 13, 2018
- ↑ Bobby Bliatout, "Endorsements," accessed March 23, 2018
- ↑ Andrew Janz for Congress, "Endorsements," accessed March 23, 2018
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Bobby Bliatout 2020 campaign website, “Issues,” accessed February 24, 2020
- ↑ Bobby Bliatout for Congress, "Home," accessed April 23, 2018
