The daily also drew comparisons between Bera and his Republican rival Scott Jones.
Indian American Congressman from Silicon Valley Ami Bera, who is running for a third term in the House of Representatives, has been endorsed by the prestigious newspaper ‘Sacramento Bee’ on Saturday.
“Bera is a hardworking and thoughtful member of Congress who has shown that he is willing to find common ground with Republicans, to the extent possible in these partisan times. We recommend voters return the Elk Grove Democrat to Washington for a third term,” the newspaper wrote in its editorial section.
Doctor by profession, 51-year-old Bera could help “focus attention on health care threats, including the spread of the Zika virus” if elected, the Bee said.
The newspaper also pointed to Bera’s record and expertise, given the problems officials will have to tackle in the next congress.
The daily also drew comparisons between Bera and his Republican rival Scott Jones, saying that the Republican Party was “out of step with California and most voters” in the 7th congressional district on national issues such as abortion rights and immigration. The “national implications of the outcome” in the election was one of the reasons behind the newspaper recommending Bera to voters, it said.
In 2010, Sacramento Bee endorsed Jones for the post of Sacramento County Sherrif.
Bera, who is the only Indian American in the current Congress, is contesting from the seventh Congressional District of California as the Democratic Party nominee and the elections would be held on November 8, 2016.
“I am honoured to be endorsed by the Sacramento Bee. As a doctor, I have lived a life committed to service and would be honoured to continue serving the people of Sacramento County in Congress for another two years,” Bera said.
According to PTI, Bera will equal the record for the most number of re-elections for an Indian-American member of Congress if re-elected. Dalip Singh Saud holds the current record, having been elected to the House of Representatives from the 29th congressional district of California from January 1957 to January 1963.