Campaign 2012: California Farm Bureau backing Nielsen

The California Farm Bureau Federation is backing Assemblyman Jim Nielsen for the 4th State Senate District special election.

"Jim Nielsen grew up on a farm and knows about operating a successful farming business," the bureau's president, Paul Wenger, said in a press release. "That experience shapes the decisions he makes as a legislator."

Among other legislative votes, the federation cited Nielsen, R-Gerber, as the author of AB 2530 in 2010. The bill continued the farmland preservation program known as the Williamson Act.

Wenger also made note of Nielsen's consistent support for new water storage.

Nielsen, who declined to run for another Assembly term earlier this year, is running against three others in the Nov. 6 special election for the Senate seat.

Logue on Monday announced he is backing out of the Senate race for health reasons.

Clinton appearing in Davis to support Garamendi

Former President Bill Clinton will appear at a rally in Davis today to endorse US Rep. John Garamendi and other Democratic candidates.

At a rally beginning at 10:30 a.m. at UC Davis, Clinton will back Garamendi as well as three other Democrats, all in tight races for the House of Representatives.

Before winning a congressional seat and serving as the state's lieutenant governor, Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, served in the US Department of the Interior during the Clinton administration.

Garamendi is being challenged for the 3rd Congressional District by Republican and Colusa County Supervisor Kim Vann.