New group linked to California Dems hits Fitzpatrick — from the right

A newly established outside group with ties to California Democrats is hitting Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) as not conservative enough, seeking to boost his GOP primary opponent for a Pennsylvania swing seat.

POLITICO obtained mailers sent by the group — True Patriots PA, established on April 5 — hitting the incumbent. One says ”We sent Brian Fitzpatrick to D.C. to represent our values — instead, he became best friends with Kamala Harris and the Democrats” and another says “MAGA is ready to bag the biggest RINO in Congress.”

The group’s treasurer, Meagan Olson, is listed as Sacramento, California-based and also separately as the treasurer for Rep. Eric Swalwell's (D-Calif.) campaign. She did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Asked for comment, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee referred to a January report in The Washington Post in which its chair Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) urged the group to stop meddling in GOP primaries and indicated it adopted her recommendation.

Ben Trundy, a spokesperson for the Fitzpatrick campaign, said the move indicated the Democrats believe they have “no chance of beating Congressman Fitzpatrick” so they are boosting his primary opponent, Mark Houck.

“This lame attempt to prop up Mark Houck … shows just how desperate they are to force their extreme policies on Bucks and Montgomery County voters,” he added.

Houck is an anti-abortion activist who drew national attention for comments he made saying he “struggled” with pornography. His campaign did not immediately comment on whether he supported the outside group’s assistance.

Fitzpatrick — co-chair of the centrist Problem Solvers’ Caucus — twice did not support impeaching former President Donald Trump, and has won reelection in his district even as President Joe Biden carried it in 2020.

The Pennsylvania GOP primary is April 23.