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Despite Political Divide, Brothers Jim and Tom Ross Prioritize Family⁣ Bond

SACRAMENTO, CA – In the high-stakes world of California politics, where fierce competition and partisan battles are commonplace, two brothers have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to preserving their personal relationship despite working on opposing sides‍ of key campaigns. Jim Ross,⁣ a veteran campaign manager, ⁣and Tom Ross,⁣ a Sacramento-based businessman, have navigated professional rivalries while maintaining a deep and enduring familial bond.

The brothers’ differing political alignments ​recently ⁤surfaced during Newsom‘s redistricting measure, ⁣Proposition 50, with Jim ⁤remaining neutral ⁤and Tom ​actively working‍ to ‍defeat it. This isn’t ​the first time they’ve found themselves ​on opposite ​sides of an issue; in 2018, ‍they clashed over a ballot ‌measure to expand rent control, which was ultimately rejected by⁣ voters.However, the‌ professional disagreements​ pale in comparison to the strength of their connection. Jim recounted a ‍especially challenging period during Newsom’s campaign, where‌ the stress lead to chest pains and a ​hospital visit, prompting him ⁢to seek counsel ⁢from Tom. ‌”The only person​ I could really call‍ and ⁤talk to was Tom,” Jim ​said. “He understands what it is ⁣to⁢ work that hard on a campaign. And he wasn’t going to go ‍and leak ⁣it⁣ to⁢ the press, or ‍tell⁢ someone who would use it in some way to hurt⁢ me.”

The⁣ brothers consciously avoid discussing ⁢politics,⁢ recognizing ⁢the value of their‌ relationship.⁤ This​ commitment was forged‌ during childhood, ⁣sharing a‌ bedroom, and solidified through life’s most difficult moments. ‍Last spring, while their​ mother was dying,⁤ the brothers⁤ received the news of her ⁤passing while​ at their father’s home in ⁢Incline⁤ Village. Tom’s immediate concern was for the overnight nurse, asking, “Are you OK? ⁢Is ‌it hard for you ‌to deal with this?” a gesture that exemplifies‌ his empathetic nature,‍ according to Jim.

Tom’s own story ​highlights the depth of their bond.‌ Following his treatment​ for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2017, he celebrated by attempting a challenging ⁤mountain bike ⁣ride on the Flume​ Trail in Tahoe. Despite⁣ still‌ recovering from six months of chemotherapy, he persevered, and Jim was there to⁢ greet him at ⁢the summit,‌ proudly ⁣telling two strangers, “That’s my​ brother. He‌ beat cancer.”

The‍ experience brought Tom to tears. ⁤”Do I want to sacrifice⁢ that relationship for some stupid tweet, or some⁤ in-the-moment ⁢anger?”⁢ he asked, emphasizing ⁣the‌ importance of prioritizing their ⁤connection over‍ fleeting political disputes. “That connection⁣ with‍ someone, you want to cut‌ it over that? That’s just stupid.That’s just ‌silly.”