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AP18:027

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2018
CONTACT:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575

Secretary of State Alex Padilla Statement on Withdrawal of Thomas Brunell from US Census Leadership Consideration

 

SACRAMENTO – Today, President Trump’s pick to head the US Census, Thomas Brunell, withdrew his name from consideration for the position. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla issued the following statement:

“The 2020 Census remains leaderless and in grave jeopardy. I once again urge the President to nominate someone who is qualified and widely respected to this important post as soon as possible. The Census should not be another partisan political tool for this administration to attack the diverse communities of our nation.”

Earlier today, California Attorney General Becerra co-led 19 attorneys general in registering strong opposition to the US Department of Justice’s request to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. I strongly support these efforts. As the largest and most diverse state in the nation, California has a lot on the line and only one chance to get it right. We will not sit idly by while this administration undermines yet another pillar of our democracy.” 

“The Trump Administration has underfunded, understaffed and under-tested the census. The inclusion of a citizenship question would discourage non-citizens from participating in the Census resulting in an undercount that would cost California our fair representation in Congress and billions in federal funding over the next decade.”

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