Turlock-area farmer Paul Danbom announced his candidacy Tuesday for California’s 5th Congressional District, becoming the fifth Democrat to launch a bid to unseat Rep. Tom McClintock (R-El Dorado Hills).

Danbom joins Michael Masuda, Kate Sills, Mike Barkley, and Angela Sigala as declared Democratic candidates for the seat. One Republican — Jason Weland of Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County — filed to enter the race last February, according to the Federal Election Commission website.

Danbom said he’s not worried about muddying the waters for the Democrats’ effort to unseat the nine-term incumbent.

“I’m actually encouraged,” said Danbom. “I have a lot of respect for my fellow Democrats who are running, and I’ve met with some of them already. I believe we all have different visions for making the world a better place. The best of us will advance in the primary, and move forward to take on McClintock. McClintock is the opponent.”

Masuda’s campaign said it’s glad to see continued interest in ousting McClintock.

“My campaign has extended an invite to Paul to sign the clean campaign pledge that myself and other Democratic candidates have signed to show unity within our party,” Masuda said in a statement to the Journal. “Additional candidates will not change our campaign’s path, vision and promise to deliver effective leadership for the district. From affordability to wildfires, I am ready to bring problem solving to the district that is my home.”

The 5th Congressional District is labeled a solid Republican District, according to the Cook Political Report, with McClintock having collected more than 61 percent of the vote in each of the last two elections against Barkley.

But Danbom — who raises cattle and farms almonds, corn and alfalfa — said the district needs a representative who will “stand up for constitution and the rule of law.” In his campaign kickoff video, he said he wants to bring common sense back to the nation’s capital:

• “We need a congressman who will work to bring down the cost of health care and not sit idly by and do nothing as our health care premiums skyrocket.”
• “We need a congressman who will tackle the affordability crisis that families like yours face every day, and not just sit by and collect a paycheck as everyday families continue to suffer.”
• “We need a congressman who will stand up for the constitution and our system of checks and balances, and not just act like a rubber stamp for an administration that governs by fear, power, and intimidation.”

A 1998 graduate of Hilmar High School (where his father was a teacher; his mother taught at Julien Elementary School), Danbom attended Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State before returning to work on the family farm. He’s also a Realtor.

“Rural communities are often overlooked,” said Danbom. “And what people don’t realize is that a congressman is a lot of rural communities’ only connection to the federal level. I want to assist our rural communities.”

Danbom also takes issue with the idea that President Trump’s tariff policy is helping the economy.

“Tariffs are running up the cost of living, and yet, President Trump is constantly blaming the Federal Reserve for not lowering the interest rate,” said Danbom. “But Chairman (Jerome) Powell doesn’t want to lower interest rates because it will increase inflation.

“President Trump has built walls instead of bridges, and we absolutely need bridges to move our agricultural products.”

Danbom and his wife, Taryn, have three teenage children: Colin, 17, Kylie, 16, and Lauren, 13. 

Danbom has volunteered with various groups over the years, serving as a trustee on local municipal special districts, and as a volunteer with the Merced County Sheriff’s Department. He currently serves on the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, as well as the Dairy Farmers of America Board as a resolutions committee member.

California’s primary election will be held June 2.