SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Crime Victims United, one of California’s most prominent victims’ rights advocacy organizations, has endorsed congressional candidate Christine Bish in the increasingly competitive race for California’s 3rd Congressional District, a region that includes El Dorado County.
Bish, a Sacramento-based financial investigator, announced the endorsement Wednesday, saying the support reflects growing concern among voters over crime, drug trafficking and public safety policies across Northern California.
“Christine Bish understands the devastating impact crime has on families and communities,”
the organization said in a statement supporting her campaign.
“She has pledged to stand up for victims and support policies that prioritize public safety and accountability.”
The endorsement arrives as crime, fentanyl deaths and criminal justice reforms continue to dominate political discussions throughout California, including in El Dorado County, where law enforcement officials have repeatedly warned about the growing dangers tied to fentanyl trafficking and overdose deaths.
Crime Victims United was founded by Mike and Harriet Salarno after their 18-year-old daughter was murdered on her first day of college in 1979. Frustrated by what they believed was a justice system that favored offenders over victims, the Salarnos became influential advocates for victims’ rights legislation in California.
The organization helped spearhead the 1982 Crime Victims Bill of Rights effort and later supported passage of Marsy’s Law in 2008, a constitutional amendment that expanded legal protections for crime victims and their families throughout California.
Bish, who lost a daughter to fentanyl, has made public safety and drug enforcement central themes of her campaign.
“A mother who lost a daughter to fentanyl, Bish advocates for a tougher common-sense approach to fighting drugs and crime,”
her campaign stated in announcing the endorsement.
California’s sprawling 3rd Congressional District stretches across Nevada County, eastern Placer County, El Dorado County and portions of Sacramento County, encompassing both rural foothill communities and rapidly growing suburban areas.
Political observers expect public safety issues to remain highly visible throughout the campaign season, particularly in communities where concerns over drug-related crime and repeat offenders continue to shape local debate.
In addition to Crime Victims United, Bish has received endorsements from several conservative and taxpayer advocacy organizations, including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association PAC, Gun Owners of America and the California Rifle & Pistol Association. She has also received an “AQ” rating from the National Rifle Association.
The race for California’s 3rd Congressional District is expected to draw increased regional attention as candidates compete for support across the Sierra foothills and Sacramento suburbs ahead of the 2026 election.
