Exclusive: Asmb. Mathis Defends Stance on Healthcare for Illegals

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) Republican Assemblyman Devon Mathis made waves within his party this week by publicly advocating covering healthcare for illegal immigrants in California.

In an exclusive interview Tuesday with KMJ’s Ray Appleton, Mathis, who’s retiring from the legislature at year’s end, defended his position which has invoked the ire of some fellow republicans.

Listen here:

Background:

Assemblymember Bill Essayli (R-Corona) recently introduced a bill that would revoke healthcare for illegal immigrants residing in California.

Mathis took to X (formerly Twitter) writing “This bill comes from a #NOOB Legislator who clearly does not understand how our healthcare system works and is just trying to create a red meat issue at the expense of our state’s already-failing healthcare system.”

Essayli cracked back by dubbing Mathis a “RINO” and going on to post “…is he interviewing for his next job, a Sacramento Swamp Lobbyist?”

The answer to that question is no. Mathis tells KMJ he is going to launch a consulting business after his time in Sacramento is over.