MODESTO — Nearly 200 people — including dozens from Turlock — gathered Thursday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for a town hall meeting where they sought answers to a number of questions from Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove).
There was just one problem: McClintock was not in attendance.
The nine-term congressman, who represents the 5th Congressional District, declined invitations from several group members to attend the meeting.
McClintock spokesperson Jennifer Cressy said, “This meeting is part of a nationally coordinated campaign by a group called Indivisible, which has recently instructed local chapters to confront members of Congress with the goal of turning a quick interaction into a major headline. Past Indivisible strategy guides have been even more explicit, urging members to disrupt public meetings, shout down members of Congress, and tie up congressional office phones to obstruct official business.”
Naramsen Goriel, an Indivisible Stanislaus co-coordinator and a 2020 Modesto mayoral candidate, took issue with Cressy’s characterization.
“That sounds like the same disinformation provided by McClintock’s office because we, as Indivisible, are his constituents. We are trying to express our own concerns and address our own issues. The fact that we are with Indivisible does not negate the fact we are constituents and voters in his district.”
Thursday’s crowd mainly consisted of senior citizens, who voiced concerns on topics ranging from Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Ukraine, the Department of Government Efficiency, tariffs and due process.
“So many issues, so little poster board,” said Kathy from Salida, who asked that her last name not be used.
Goriel and Darleen Patrick, who helped to organize the event, said McClintock was invited to attend the event.
“I personally emailed and called his office — I and only got his voicemail — and I left my number as soon as we decided to plan a town hall meeting while he was on recess,” said Patrick. “Modesto is one of the largest cities in his district. We let him know that if he didn’t show, we were going to have a meeting anyway.”
The meeting featured a number of speakers taking turns with the microphone telling personal stories and sharing concerns. At the end of their remarks, the speakers would turn toward a cardboard cutout — representing McClintock — and ask it a question. When no answer was forthcoming, members of the audience held aloft rubber chickens that made a “bok bok” sound when squeezed.
Goriel stressed that Indivisible Stanislaus is a non-partisan group that is willing to take on Democrats, as well.
“It’s an interesting time to be in politics,” said Goriel, a public defender in San Joaquin County. “We have to hold everyone accountable. Indivisible’s goal, nationally, is to make sure our ideals and values are being represented.”
Turlock’s Glenis Zuhlke, a retired teacher who was a lifelong Republican before leaving the party in recent years, felt it was important for her to attend the meeting, even if McClintock was absent.
“There have been too many issues that come up every day,” said Zuhlke, who taught fifth grade at Osborn and Julien elementary schools. “I just see our Constitution being totally ignored, trampled on, and we’re losing rights daily. And it scares me to death."
Jessica Self, a Modesto Democrat who was defeated in bids for the 22nd District Assembly seat in 2022 and 2024, was the featured speaker of the evening. She said Democrats need to begin mobilizing and preparing for upcoming national, state and local elections.
“We have a lot of soul-searching to do,” said Self. “We’re the party of unions and the party of the middle class. But I think there’s a layer between our party leaders and us. We have to figure out who we are and what we do better. But this party has a lot of great people.”
Patrick said that Indivisible Stanislaus is planning future events.
“We have a National Day of Action coming up on April 5,” said Patrick. “And we’re looking to have a monthly town hall meeting, or one every other month. People are afraid, and people are angry, and they want to do something. They want to be heard.”
