Bret Daniels

Bret Daniels ran for election to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to represent District 4 in California. He lost in the primary on March 5, 2024.

Daniels (Republican Party) also ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 6th Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the primary on March 5, 2024.

Biography

Bret Daniels was born in Sacramento, California. Daniels served in the U.S. Air Force from 1980 to 1984. His career experience includes working in law enforcement. Daniels has served as a founding member and president of Toys for the Troops' Kids and as a city councilman with the City of Citrus Heights.^[1]

Elections

2024

Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Sacramento County Board of Supervisors District 4

Rosario Rodriguez won election outright against Bret Daniels and Braden Murphy in the primary for Sacramento County Board of Supervisors District 4 on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Rosario Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)	51.5	33,440
		Bret Daniels (Nonpartisan)	26.3	17,078
		Braden Murphy (Nonpartisan)	22.2	14,455

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 64,973
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Daniels in this election.

U.S. House

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 6

Incumbent Ami Bera defeated Christine Bish in the general election for U.S. House California District 6 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Ami Bera (D)	57.6	165,408
	Christine Bish (R)	42.4	121,664

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 287,072
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 6

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 6 on March 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Ami Bera (D)	51.8	76,605
✔	Christine Bish (R)	20.1	29,628
	Raymond Riehle (R)	10.7	15,779
	Craig DeLuz (R)	9.7	14,361
	Adam Barajas (D)	5.9	8,711
	Chris Richardson (G)	1.8	2,661

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 147,745
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Daniels in this election.

2022

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 7

Incumbent Doris Matsui defeated Max Semenenko in the general election for U.S. House California District 7 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Doris Matsui (D)	68.3	150,618
	Max Semenenko (R)	31.7	70,033

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 220,651
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 7

Incumbent Doris Matsui and Max Semenenko defeated Jimmy Fremgen in the primary for U.S. House California District 7 on June 7, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Doris Matsui (D)	63.2	94,896
✔	Max Semenenko (R)	28.5	42,728
	Jimmy Fremgen (D)	8.4	12,550

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 150,174
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

See also: Municipal elections in Sacramento County, California (2018)

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Sacramento County Sheriff

Incumbent Scott Jones won election outright against Milo Fitch, Donna Cox, and Bret Daniels in the primary for Sacramento County Sheriff on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scott Jones (Nonpartisan)	51.3	145,740
	Submit photo	Milo Fitch (Nonpartisan)	23.7	67,336
	Submit photo	Donna Cox (Nonpartisan)	20.1	57,145
		Bret Daniels (Nonpartisan)	4.9	13,848

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 284,069
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

Ballotpedia survey responses

Bret Daniels did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

U.S. House

Ballotpedia survey responses

Bret Daniels did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Bret Daniels completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Daniels' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My life has been one of service. From serving in the United States Air Force, including 2 years in Europe, to 20 years in law enforcement, mostly with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department. From serving as a PTA President and Little League coach to spending 4 years in the Transportation Security Administration following 9/11. And in serving on the Citrus Heights City Council for over 11 years.

My time on the city council has been focused on public safety, quality of life, and fiscal responsibility. I have successfully fought efforts to raise our utility tax and our sales tax.

I am honored to have the support of veterans, law enforcement officers, elected leaders, business owners, planning commissioners and moms.

I am prepared and ready to serve as your Congressman and work with others in Protecting America’s Future.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Inflation is crippling America. We must stop the out of control government spending and overreaching regulation and find a more reasonable approach to reducing the use of fossil fuels that lowers gas prices.
Crime and homelessness is out of control. We need to support the police, not defund them. We need to be compassionate to those on the streets that want help and stern with those that simply create blight.
We must secure our border. Our country is being flooded by those entering illegally. We must encourage orderly and controlled migration into America and stop the flow of gang members and drugs coming into our country.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a former Deputy Sheriff with 20 years of law enforcement experience, I am passionate about the need for law and order in a civilized society. We see what soft on crime and defunding the police create. We must elect leaders that will not bow down and kneel to the whims of a small but vocal segment of society but instead have the courage to do what is right to protect you and your family.

As a Veteran of the United States Air Force and father of a United States Marine, I know what it means to sacrifice and serve your country. We must take care of Veterans. There should not be one single Veteran in need of mental health care and/or one single Veteran that is homeless.

As the father of a 5yr old preparing to enter Kindergarten, I believe our children's education should focus on learning and not social engineering or indoctrination of any kind. I believe that parents have the absolute right and responsibility to influence what their children are taught.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My father...he has passed but he was a kind and strong man at the the same time.

My mother...she has passed but she was passionate about her beliefs and not at all shy about expressing it.
Business Owners...as the spouse of a former business owner, I know how hard it is to be successful.
Peace Officers...as a former Deputy Sheriff, I know what it means to go to work ever day not knowing if you will be coming home.

My Savior Jesus Christ....because, through Him, all things are possible.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

N/A

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

It is imperative that a Representative is doing what is best for the country within the boundaries of the Constitution. Every dollar spent comes from a taxpayer and every dollar should be spent knowing that someone had to work to earn it. We should not be enjoying the fruits of spending today that will be put on the backs of our children to pay. We must ensure that Congress does what only Congress can and is allowed to do and that most issues are to be completed by the States. We MUST be honest with the American public.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I want people to know that if they have a concern, they can pick up the phone, call my office, and it will be resolved. I want to go to Congress to SERVE the people in my district and the country while at the same time protecting the founding principles within our Constitution. I want the people of America, and especially the moms and dads with a kid in the military, to know that I believe in Peace Through Strength and that I will never support sending our sons and daughters into harms way unless it involves a compelling America interest. I want you know that it will be an honor to serve you.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

N/A

What legacy would you like to leave?

N/A

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The one that stands out is the Iran Hostage Crisis in November 1979. I was 19 years old at the time. It was a motivating factor in joining the United States Air Force in early 1980. It also subsequently helped to form my belief in Peace Through Strength as we witnessed a weak American President replaced by a strong American President and the hostages freed on Inauguration Day.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I delivered newspapers when I was barely a teenager but my first "real" job was working at Burger King. LONG shifts on the fryer. Much different than today. I really don't remember how long I stayed, maybe a little more than a year or so, and then left for a VERY nice job delivering oxygen and medical supplies.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. It has all of the answers.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Captain America (of course).

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The Barney I Love You song hahahaha because I like to sing it to my 5yr old daughter when it's time to go to sleep.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

N/A

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The Representatives in the House are elected every two years so that keeps them closer to the pulse of what is happening in everyday America. The House also is supposed to be where all spending by the Federal Government originates. While that is true for the most part, what we also see today is Spending by Caveat. That needs to stop. We need to reign in spending.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I have served on the city council for more than 11 years and I can say that it is beneficial to have that prior service. Government operates in a convoluted manner. Knowing how some of that happens is undoubtedly beneficial.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

There are two things hurting America today; wokeness and China.

We must stop allowing a small but vocal group of people to dictate public policy, especially when it concerns our kids. We are all human beings. We are all flawed. We make mistakes. But we need to move forward and not dwell on the past. We need to stop pitting groups against each other and work for what's best for America.

China is destroying America with slave labor. They take our money and then buy our houses, our farmland, and our spirit. They are stealing our intellectual property. The manufacture most of what America buys and in the process destroy our manufacturing ability.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

My time in the United Stated Air Force as well as being the father of a current United States marine makes me especially hopeful that I would be on the Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Committees.

My time in law enforcement and in the Department of Homeland Security makes me hopeful that I would be on the Homeland Security, Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs Committees.

My desire to reduce taxes and my history of fighting against tax increase efforts in my city make me hopeful to be on the Joint Committee on Taxation

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

N/A

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes. Congress was never intended to be a career. The current Congressman has been there for 10 years. It's time for a change.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I used to be adamantly against term limits but after watching "career" politicians, especially those in Congress, I lean towards supporting them. If elected, I will only serve 8 years maximum.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I like Jim Jordan's passion. He's obviously not there for the glory of being called a Congressman. He is there because he views it as an honor to passionately represent his constituents.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

N/A

Tell us your favorite joke.

(We do Moo jokes because she gets it) Why did the cow cross the road? To go to the moooovies.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is absolutely necessary for policymaking so long as it does not require the loss of one's core beliefs. For example, I am firm believer in limited taxation and a smaller government but I might have to support a somewhat larger government than I would prefer to get someone else that wants the government to solve everything to agree to a government smaller than they prefer.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

As mentioned previously, I am an advocate for taxpayers. I firmly believe we are overtaxed and that the tax code has become overly burdensome. It is time to look at an alternative similar to a Flat Tax. We MUST reduce spending now that will only burden our children later.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Daniels' campaign website stated the following:

“

Economy/Inflation

Inflation is destroying the wage increases of American workers and putting people on fixed incomes in peril. We must stop the fiscal policies that are creating inflation.

We must reduce the tax burden on Americans and the overreaching regulations that contribute to inflation.

Border Security/Illegal Immigration

We have to once again get control of our southern border. Nearly 2 million illegal border crossings were recorded last year and the problem is growing.

Following are several steps I will propose to fix our border problem:

Reinstitute the asylum policy requiring migrants seeking asylum to remain in Mexico while awaiting hearings. It’s ludicrous that our government currently releases illegal immigrants into the country in hopes that they “may” show up for their hearings. Few return for their hearing and the illegal alien population continues to swell.

Screen all migrants for prior deportation orders and criminal convictions. Anyone found guilty of violating a prior deportation order, or with a criminal conviction should be removed immediately to their home country and banned from re-entry.

Second Amendment

The 2nd Amendment right to Keep and Bear Arms is fundamental to our nation. I will never back down when it comes to defending this right. I will protect your right to self-defense and will fight to preserve your 2nd Amendment rights.

Pro-Life

I am pro-life. Period.

I firmly believe that life begins at conception and that it is a fundamental duty of our government to protect the right to life. I will fight to protect every child born and unborn. I’ll also strongly fight against federal funding of abortion and will work to stop taxpayer dollars from going to groups who perform or advocate for abortion.

Spending

Government spending is out of control. Every year, Congress adds trillions to our national debt. This is not sustainable. I will work to balance our federal budget and make the hard decisions to reduce our debt.

America First

Why do we send billions of taxpayer dollars overseas to countries that hate us? We send billions of dollars to foreign countries every year – with a lot going to countries that are hostile to us and our Interests. We should be focusing our resources here and getting our own house in order first.

When America does best, the world does best.

Military/Veterans

I believe in Peace through Strength. Perceived weakness is what allows foreign enemies to act. We are witnessing this in the unsettling postures between Russia and Ukraine as well as China and Taiwan.

Veterans are why we are a free nation today. As a Veteran, I am saddened by the thought of even one Veteran being homeless, going hungry, or committing suicide. We must do more for our Veterans before we do more for others around the world.^[2]

”

—Bret Daniels' campaign website (2022)^[3]

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Bret Daniels campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House California District 6	Withdrew primary	$4,699	$3,314
2022	U.S. House California District 6	Lost primary	$16,187	$15,187
Grand total			$20,886	$18,501
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 17, 2022
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ Bret Daniels for Congress, “On the Issues,” accessed May 19, 2022

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 17, 2022

[quotedisclaimer-2] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[3] Bret Daniels for Congress, “On the Issues,” accessed May 19, 2022

[1]

[2]

[3]

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Bret Daniels

Biography

Elections

2024

Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Sacramento County Board of Supervisors District 4

Endorsements

U.S. House

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 6

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 6

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

2022

General election

General election for U.S. House California District 7

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 7

2018

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Sacramento County Sheriff

Campaign themes

2024

Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

Ballotpedia survey responses

U.S. House

Ballotpedia survey responses

2022

Campaign website

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

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