Democrat Ami Bera getting hit from left – and right

As he faces withering critiques from organized labor over trade, Rep. Ami Bera also is taking early fire from traditional foes.

The National Republican Congressional Committee launched a paid web advertisement Monday accusing the second-term congressman of lacking originality when it comes to authoring guest commentaries.

The Elk Grove Democrat has acknowledged that “widely used and disseminated statements” appeared in a column he wrote last month for The Sacramento Bee. In the piece, Bera explained his support for the president’s request for so-called “fast-track” trade promotion authority.

The NRCC ad charges that Bera is “only worried about making his party leaders happy and not standing up for Sacramento families.”

“California families deserve better than a representative who would rather copy and paste liberal talking points than stand up for his constituents,” NRCC spokesman Zach Hunter said.

Meanwhile, the AFL-CIO, which last week announced its own paid ad campaign targeting Bera, is charging he’ll “do anything to keep his job – including shipping your job overseas.”

Bera countered in a written statement that supporting trade authority will create jobs and grow the local economy.

However, a union spokesman suggested a Bera vote for the trade deal would further erode labor support, something he’s relied on to narrowly win – and defend – the suburban Sacramento County swing seat in 2012 and last year.

A group called the Progressive Coalition for American Jobs has placed web ads supporting Bera and other pro-trade Democrats.

Democrats denounced the GOP ads.

“While the NRCC has resorted to a low-budget, inflated personal attack, Representative Bera is busy fighting for the hardworking people of his district,” said Barb Solish, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

This story was originally published June 1, 2015 at 10:52 AM.