YOUR AD HERE »

McClintock backs out of proposed Tahoe debate, cites endorsement of opponent by event organizer

Hannah Jones
hjones@sierrasun.com

Tom McClintock, Republican incumbent and candidate for California’s 4th congressional district, announced he will not participate in a planned debate in the Lake Tahoe area.

McClintock and his opponent, Democrat Jessica Morse, had agreed to a debate to be hosted by the Sierra Business Council and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association.

Jon Huey, McClintock’s campaign manager, cited an endorsement and campaign contributions made to Morse by Steve Frisch, president of the Sierra Business Council, as the reason for pulling out of the debate.



“It was brought to our attention that the debate organizer had not only endorsed our opponent, but had made multiple donations to her campaign and did not disclose these facts to our campaign,” Huey said in an email. “Unfortunately, these facts required us to reevaluate our participation and a decision was made to pursue debate opportunities elsewhere.”

In a new release, the Sierra Business Council stated Frisch had been transparent about his endorsement of Morse in a phone call to Huey in late July.



According to Federal Election Commission filings for the period of Jan. 1, 2017 to Sept. 11, 2018, Frisch made four contributions of $200 each, totaling $800, to the Jessica Morse for Congress campaign.

“The McClintock campaign characterization of the candor of Mr. Frisch and their characterization of the events leading up to their cancellation of the event are patently false,” the release read.

“The voters of this community deserve better than a congressman who hides from his constituents and refuses to defend his record,” said Makaiah Mohler, deputy campaign manager for Morse.

“Clearly Tom McClintock is not the champion of small business that he claims since he refuses to participate in a debate hosted by the Sierra Business Council and North Lake Tahoe Resort Association,” Morse said in a statement.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.