Jones Focuses on Boxer in GOP Senate Contest

In a day of campaigning that typified his abridged run for the U.S. Senate, Republican hopeful Bill Jones on Tuesday slammed Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer over national defense, congressional pay hikes and other matters.

With the March 2 primary less than three weeks away, the former California secretary of state ignored his Republican rivals as he campaigned across Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Instead, he invoked his long years in California politics and one key endorsement to ease his way to a general election matchup with Boxer.

“That’s who I’m running against,” Jones said at a tri-tip-and-beans barbecue with scores of farmers outside Santa Maria.

In the primary, Jones, a Fresno farmer and rancher, faces former U.S. treasurer Rosario Marin, former Los Altos Hills Mayor Toni Casey and former Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian, among the major GOP candidates.

Given the campaign’s low profile -- none of the candidates can afford much TV advertising -- Jones, the best-known contender, has tried to position himself as the party’s inevitable nominee. On Tuesday, he touted his endorsement by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at each campaign stop, from a celery and lettuce farm outside Oxnard to Andersen’s Pea Soup diner in Buellton. Jones also echoed parts of Schwarzenegger’s political message, pledging, after two decades as an elected official in Sacramento, to “fight the special interests” in Washington, and accusing Boxer of not working with Republicans.

“I hold Barbara Boxer responsible for her inability to reach across the aisle -- unlike her colleague Dianne Feinstein, who has done that frequently,” Jones said, alluding to California’s other Democratic senator.

At stops near the Port Hueneme and Vandenberg military installations, Jones suggested that California could not count on Boxer to protect the state from further base closings.

“In that area of national defense, Boxer has been really AWOL,” he said, citing six Boxer votes against pay raises for U.S. troops. He also cited five Boxer votes for higher congressional salaries.

Boxer strategist Roy Behr challenged Jones’ accusations and called him too conservative for the California mainstream.

“To date, Jones has demonstrated two things: that he intends to run a dishonest and negative campaign, and that he doesn’t understand the views and values of California voters,” Behr said.

Behr said Boxer had voted against higher pay for troops only when the raises had been buried in omnibus bills packed with items that she opposed. She voted for the sole stand-alone military pay raise, he said.

“To suggest that she is not supportive of military pay raises is fundamentally dishonest,” he said.

On the congressional pay hikes, Behr said that a bipartisan commission had recommended them -- and that Boxer would have backed salary cuts had the panel called for them instead. Behr also said Boxer had often worked closely with Republicans and had been a coauthor of bills on aviation security, after-school programs, coastal protection and other matters.

With the primary election near, the campaigns of the major Republican candidates are on divergent tracks. The little-known Kaloogian and Casey are working to develop voter bases. Marin, who was mayor of Huntington Park before becoming U.S. treasurer, has argued that, as a Latina who favors abortion rights, she would offer Boxer the fiercest fight.

Jones has kept his eye fixed on November. He entered the race only two months ago and secured Schwarzenegger’s endorsement three weeks ago.

On his farm visits, Jones played up his ties to agriculture, stressing the industry’s importance to the California economy. He also solicited donations from leaders of farming trade groups, the cornerstone of his political support.

Standing before a dangling scarecrow in an equipment storehouse at the farm outside Oxnard, Jones told about 15 farmers: “You’ve got to get out your Rolodex. You’ve got to thumb through it and make some calls.”

Jones was warmly received.

“He’s a real farmer,” said Rhett Searcy, executive director of the Ventura County Agricultural Assn. “He understands agriculture’s issues. He understands agriculture’s needs.”

But at the barbecue, housewife Barbara Nelson, 46, a Santa Maria Republican, voiced reservations.

She said she liked Jones, but was weighing whether to vote for him or Marin. She called Marin “a breath of fresh air, someone new, a Hispanic female and a very good Republican” -- and someone who might stand a better chance of beating Boxer.

“It just doesn’t seem like the California Republican Party in the past has been able to get good, vibrant candidates who appeal to the very diverse population of California,” Nelson said.