Representative Adam Schiff is currently the face of the Democratic impeachment inquiry against President Trump. But as the 10-term congressmen prepares to run for re-election next year to hold California’s 27th district seat, he will need to face his own twenty-year old stance on the issue.
Schiff’s Past Comments On Impeachment
During his first race for Congress in 1999, Schiff questioned whether then-Rep. James Rogan’s loyalties to his personal district had been replaced by Rogan’s leading of the Clinton impeachment.
“I think a lot of people are unhappy that Jim Rogan has ignored the district for five years” said Schiff, who also stated Rogan’s constituents had been “relegated to a lower-tier priority compared to the national, partisan agenda.”
Though other issues were more important to the race, Schiff targeted his opponent on the issue and it became a major talking point of his campaign, telling NBC that Rogan was “more engaged in national ideological crusades than in the district.” He also voiced his opinion that the voters wanted someone who had a “good record of working in a bipartisan way to find solutions.”
The voters spoke and, in the end, the Democratic candidate came out on top.
Schiff’s Opponents Use Same Tactic Against Him
Now, two decades later, his opponents are using his own argument against him, calling the House Intelligence Committee Chairman a “total hypocrite” and a “national disgrace.”
Challenger Eric Early further cited Schiff’s historical impeachment opposition and pledges to fix the problems of the district. After “two decades of completely abandoning” the district and their needs, Early tells the Los Angeles County constituents that they “deserve better.”
Other Candidates Agree
Jennifer Barbosa, a fellow candidate in the race, agrees with Early, adding that the congressman has not dealt with imperative concerns like homelessness in the 28th congressional district.
While the congressional district candidates prepare themselves for their upcoming campaigns against Schiff, the seated congressman has chosen to defend the current impeachment inquiry into President Trump, as well as the timing of announcing the articles of impeachment.
“We stand here today because the president’s abuse of power leaves us no choice,” Schiff said.
It remains to be seen how this will work out for Schiff in the end.