Energy

Anti-Exxon Dem Loses Big Time In Bid For California’s AG Seat

REUTERS/David McNew

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Jason Hopkins Immigration and politics reporter
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A liberal candidate who made criticism of ExxonMobil a major theme of his campaign lost big in a California primary election, placing dead last.

Dave Jones, the current insurance commissioner of California, did not have a fun Tuesday night when results trickled in for the state’s attorney general primary contest. Jones came in fourth place out of a total of four candidates on the ballot. Incumbent Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, cruised to first place with 45 percent of the vote. He will run against Republican challenger Steven Bailey in the general election. California conducts a “jungle” election system where all candidates run in the same primary and the top two winners, regardless of party, proceed to the general election.

Jones, who ran to Becerra’s left on a litany of issues, advocated for a single-payer health care system and progressive criminal justice reform while on the campaign trail. Perhaps more notably, Jones ran on a very anti-ExxonMobil platform. The liberal insurance commissioner was a major proponent of #ExxonKnew, an environmentalist campaign that accuses ExxonMobil of knowingly misleading investors about climate change science. Becerra has been tepid about any investigation into the oil and gas company, which attracted heavy criticism from Jones. (RELATED: California Voters Show Disdain For High Gas Tax By Recalling Its Biggest Supporter)

“He’s failed to make sure that we go after ExxonMobil as New York and Massachusetts have,” Jones said of Becerra during a May 15 debate. “Resist Trump, absolutely, but also do the job of Attorney General.”

Jones’ staunch criticism of Exxon attracted plenty of praise from environmentalists and deep pocketed donations. At one point during the campaign, Jones boasted nearly $1 million more in his campaign coffers than Becerra. However, adulation from climate change activists and big fundraising numbers did not appear to translate into votes.

“Thanks to all who voted for/supported my campaign for AG. While results not what we hoped, I am inspired by your activism & idealism,” Jones said in a Twitter statement Wednesday morning. “Congratulations to AG Xavier Becerra on his victory last night. I endorse his candidacy for AG & encourage CA to unite in supporting him.”

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