Congressmen React to Result of Presidential Election

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA - Riverside County congressional representatives Wednesday expressed differing views on the outcome of the presidential election, stressing the need for "policies that put our nation on a different path" and "unity in the love we share for our country."

"I want to congratulate Donald Trump on winning a historic election," said Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona. "Throughout this campaign, Mr. Trump echoed the deep frustrations of many Americans about the lack of economic opportunities and the direction of our country. That is exactly why I endorsed and supported his campaign."

"As President-elect Trump said last night, now the real work must begin to enact the policies that will put our nation on a different path," the congressman said.

Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, said that like most of his supporters, he was "profoundly disappointed by the election."

"I believe in the inclusive, tolerant and prosperous America that Secretary (Hillary) Clinton described throughout her campaign," he said. "It is clear that we remain a deeply divided nation."

"Today we begin the important process of finding unity in the love we share for this country," Takano added. "Donald Trump said in his election night speech that he would be the president for all Americans. As a representative in Congress, it is my job to make sure he stays true to those words."

Calvert pledged that he and the Republican majority in the House of Representatives would work with the president-elect "to repeal Obama Care and replace it with a more competitive, patient-focused health care policy."

"We also have a tremendous task ahead of us unwinding the unprecedented amount of job-killing regulations that the Obama administration has jammed down the throats of our job creators," he said. "Finally, we must secure our border, require mandatory employment verification to ensure American jobs go to American workers, and reassert our sovereignty."

Takano acknowledged that there would be opportunity to find "common ground" with the new president, but he asserted that he and fellow Democrats would "stand our ground when we must," striving "to be the country that every American deserves."

Calvert closed his statement by declaring "American is the greatest democracy in the history of the world because we entrust the true power of our government with our citizens."

"They have now exercised that power to shake up our government, (sending) a clear message to our media and cultural elites," he said. "Those of us who have been chosen to represent our fellow citizens in Washington owe them our full and complete effort to put America on a path of peace and prosperity."

Calvert, who will be starting his 13th term in January, was re-elected by a 59.93 percent margin in the 42nd congressional district; Takano, who will be in his third term, received 62.58 percent of the vote in the 41st district.

– By City News Service / Image by Gage Skidmore, Flickr, creative commons