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STOCKTON, CA - Josh Harder and San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti took questions from the Stockton Record and Modesto Bee yesterday. When the subject of law enforcement came up, Harder said, “We need more cops on the streets.” But it appears this was a very careful parsing of words. He did not state that we need more law enforcement.
Perhaps that is because the truth is Harder has pledged to vote for “A public safety strategy to reduce the annual budget for law enforcement.” We know this because he accepted money from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s “Courage to Change” political action committee. (See AOC showers dozens of vulnerable House Dems with campaign cash | Fox News.)
This PAC requires those who accept funds to say yes to the following pledge, "If running for a legislative position . . . do you pledge to vote for the following: A public safety strategy to reduce the annual budget for law enforcement and defense spending, and shift those funds towards community resources and programs… .” (AOC PAC makes pledge to slash police, defense spending a litmus test for candidates seeking support | Fox News.)
In the meeting yesterday, Supervisor Patti called out Harder on this, asserting that Harder received $5,000 from her PAC which “supports defunding police” and asked that Harder return the money. When given the opportunity to respond to Patti’s assertion, Harder did not deny receiving the money or making the pledge. Instead, he simply stated, “If you want to run against AOC feel free to move to New York to do so.” (Audio recording of the exchange available upon request.)
Supervisor Patti is endorsed by the Stockton Police Officers Association, San Joaquin Deputy Sheriffs Association, San Joaquin Correctional Officers Association, and the Stockton Professional Firefighters Association.
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