November 12, 2021
PHILADELPHIA — Today, 314 Action Fund announced its endorsement of doctor and Navy veteran Dr. Kermit Jones in the race for California’s 4th congressional district. Jones is running to take on Republican Tom McClintock — who has voted against expanding access to affordable health care, called masks “useless” on the House floor, and pushes a dangerous, anti-science agenda — next November.
“Dr. Kermit Jones’ deep knowledge of science and medicine are needed in office — especially as we address the long-term challenges facing our country, from access to affordable health care, to addressing the climate crisis, to rebuilding the path to the middle class and beyond,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, president of 314 Action. “Our six million-member community of pro-science voters, activists, and donors look forward to helping Dr. Jones beat Tom McClintock next November.”
“I’m honored to be endorsed by 314 Action Fund,” said Dr. Kermit Jones. “Far too many of our lawmakers in Washington, including my Republican opponent Congressman McClintock, spread disinformation and put politics and ideology ahead of doing what’s right. In Congress, I’ll lead the same way that I practice medicine and served in the Navy — by following the science, listening to people, and always putting their interests first.”
Last month, 314 Action launched a $10 million, cycle-long advocacy campaign focused on engaging voters on critical science issues — including climate change, health care, and the pandemic response — and holding anti-science public figures accountable. Additionally, 314 Action has engaged its six million grassroots member base to push for pro-science legislation at the federal level and across the states.
In 2022, 314 Action Fund will aim to spend $50 million to elect scientists across all levels of government, with initial targets of seven U.S. Senate races, forty U.S. House races, and twenty-one statewide races. In 2020, the organization spent $25 million on behalf of its endorsed candidates and raised a total of $5 million in grassroots donations for scientists running for office.
ABOUT DR. KERMIT JONES:
A doctor, Navy veteran, and attorney, Dr. Kermit Jones learned the values of hard work, responsibility and community while growing up and working on the family farm. As he helped his dad tend the farm, he watched his mother work as a home health nurse, never wavering from her commitment to take care of the people in her community. It was there that Kermit knew he wanted to become a doctor. Kermit was attending law and medical school at Duke University when our country was attacked on 9/11. Soon after, Kermit joined the Navy and deployed alongside Marines. After returning from Iraq, Kermit used the GI Bill to study public policy at Columbia University and was selected as a White House fellow in the Obama administration. Afterwards he worked as a regulatory and patent attorney at a Washington, D.C. law firm, ensuring that new prescription drugs were safe and effective. He settled in Northern California with his wife and family and began working as a primary care physician.
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314 Action Fund is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care. In 2018 and 2020, we played a pivotal role in flipping the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, electing eleven Democratic scientists to federal office, as well as over 100 to state and local offices. In 2021 and 2022, 314 Action Fund will continue working to elect science leaders and defeat climate deniers in Congress and legislatures across the country.