Two Democrats battling to succeed Rep. Gary Miller launch TV ads

Two of the four Democrats vying to succeed Rep. Gary Miller (R-Rancho Cucamonga) on Monday announced cable TV ads in the Inland Empire district.

Both ads accentuate the positive in a race that has become increasingly competitive.

In her ad, Colton attorney Eloise Gomez Reyes speaks directly to voters about how she topped onions as a 12-year-old to earn money for her school clothes.

“I made the journey” from field worker to successful community member, Reyes says, “but for people these days that journey has become so much harder.

“In Congress, I’ll fight for families working hard to join the middle class, and those struggling to stay there,” Reyes says in the ad, which her campaign said will begin running Tuesday on four cable systems.

Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar’s ad, also beginning Tuesday, features him speaking with his grandmothers about his promise to protect Medicare and Social Security, ensure a quality education for all children and to always look out for the middle class over big corporations.

“Hello, we’re Pete Aguilar’s grandmas,” says one, identified as Grandma Juanita.

“When he told us he was running for Congress,” says the other, Grandma Jennie, “we had a lot of questions.”

Then they “grill” him on the issues: “You’re going to protect Medicare, Social Security, correct?” asks one.

“They’re sacred,” replies their grandson the candidate.

In addition to the four Democrats, three Republicans are on the June 3 primary ballot to replace Miller in the 31st Congressional District. Miller announced earlier that he will retire when his term ends this year.

The district has been growing increasingly Democratic in recent years but GOP leaders are hopeful they can keep the seat in Republican hands.

jean.merl@latimes.comTwitter: @jeanmerl