Less than three weeks from the June 5 primary, Rep. Pete Stark received the endorsement of President Barack Obama on Friday, according to Stark's campaign website.
Stark is facing fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell and conservative Chris Pareja for the open seat in the newly formed 15th Congressional District, which includes San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Castro Valley, Livermore and Union City.
The 40-year veteran of the U.S. House of Representatives, Stark has consistently voted in favor of Obama's agenda during the president's first term. Stark voted yes on the Affordable Healtch Care for America Act and The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"Congressman Pete Stark is a tireless champion for all of the 15th’s working families,” said President Obama. “We’ve worked hard these last three years to bring meaningful, positive change to our nation – fighting for good jobs, good schools and a health care system that works for all of our citizens. We have made great strides, but there is much more to do. That is why we need his dedicated efforts back in Congress to continue the fight with me. I need you to cast your vote for Congressman Stark in the June 5th Democratic Congressional Primary.”
The President continued in a statement, saying, "We cannot have a return to failed policies of the past, Congressman Stark has worked closely with me on crucial programs and policies that have made a real difference not only in California, but across America. We need his wisdom, experience and his steady, 'get-things-done' style now more than ever.”
The endorsement comes as good news for Stark, who didn't receive the endorsement of the San Francisco Chronicle or the Bay Area News Group, with both media organizations endorsing Swalwell.
“I am honored to receive the President’s endorsement,” Stark said. “After a campaign focused on health care, working families and economic development, my first task back in Congress will be to work with the President and other members of Congress to get our economy back on the right track.”
The top two finishers in the June 5 primary, no matter the political party, will compete head-to-head for the open seat in the general election. To learn more about the other candidates, you can read a replay of a live Patch chat interview with and .
Stark has not yet accepted Patch's invitation for a live chat interview.
