Democrat rips Nunes’ stop to back Crawford

Challenger critiques visit by Californian

The appearance of Rep. Devin Nunes of California, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and an early backer of President Donald Trump, in Jonesboro on Tuesday drew a rebuke from Chintan Desai, a Democrat running for Congress in Arkansas’ 1st District.

Nunes appeared at a fundraiser on behalf of fellow Republican Rep. Rick Crawford at the First National Bank Arena on Arkansas State University’s campus.

The stop in Crawford’s hometown came after a similar fundraising swing through Nebraska for a Republican incumbent there.

Crawford and Nunes serve together on the Intelligence Committee. The $75-a-plate luncheon was closed to the press and the public, a point that Crawford’s challenger, Desai, was quick to critique, along with Nunes’ past remarks regarding the federal inquiry into Russia’s medling in the 2016 election.

“Instead of holding events with his constituents, Rick Crawford would rather spend his time in Jonesboro with a man who has attacked our law enforcement,” Desai said in a statement.

Desai was referring to a memo released by Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee, alleging surveillance abuses by the FBI and Justice Department officials during the Russia investigation.

Crawford’s campaign spokesman, Jonah Shumate, declined to offer a response to Desai’s criticism.

“To make matters worse, just last month, at a closed door fundraiser very much like this one, Rep. Nunes suggested that the GOP had to keep the House majority in order to protect President Trump from [special counsel] Robert Mueller’s investigation,” Desai said. “Arkansans want an independent Congressperson who isn’t beholden to any party or President.”