Is the representative Devin Nunes at war with his local paper? | The California report

This is not the first sign of tension between Nunes and Fresno paper. Recent editorials have criticized the congressman.

In May, Fresno Bee wrote about a lawsuit against a winery in Napa, alleging that the company had organized a fundraiser in 2016 aboard a yacht using illegal drugs and prostitution . Nunes was not present at the charity event, but is a partner of the company.

Two months later, the Nunes campaign responded with a television advertisement calling the Bee "a classic example of false news".

"My name is not there, but I know who they are talking about when they talk about creepy pen pals. They talk about me, "said Lewis Griswold, a reporter for Fresno Bee for over 20 years.

Griswold said the courier had criticized journalists like him for making standard leather reports.

"The idea that I was crawling around the neighborhood, look, I was wearing my press ID, I was knocking on doors, I was identifying myself. There was no ramp or misrepresentation, "said Griswold. "I think the general public does not understand how we are going to do things right, I do not know of any journalist who does not wake up in the middle of the night and fears that the next story will be repeated." The day has a false representation or an inaccurate fact. You sweat, you really do. "

Bee's editor, Kieta, said the newspaper was not at war with Nunes or his campaign, noting that the newspaper's editorial board had approved the MP every year since being elected in 2002.

"In this case, I think what is unusual is that a member of Congress here at Devin Nunes attacks the newspaper, in this case Fresno Bee, the media, instead of his opponent, "said Kieta.

Bryant believes that the purpose of the mail is to try to control the story of the campaign.

Local prosecutor Andrew Janz, who is running to overthrow Nunes in November in the 22nd congressional district, has raised more money than any other Democratic congressional candidate. Janz is behind Nunes in the polls, but not far.

"If you think people support Janz because they believe in these bee stories, then you can try to undermine the credibility of these stories and say:" Do not believe it. " bee, these stories are not true, "said Bryant.

In a phone call, Nunes' campaign chairman, Mr Smittcamp, told KQED that he was sticking to the magazine's letter. In response to Kieta's assertion that the mail contained false information, Smittcamp stated "that he was entitled to his opinion".