Friday, November 18, 2011

Crowded field in California's 2nd Congressional District; eight candidates vying to replace Mike Thompson as North Coast rep


With more than six months until voters take to the polls, a total of eight candidates have announced their intent to run for a seat representing the North Coast in Congress in the newly created 2nd Congressional District. - Times-Standard

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission shook things up earlier this year when it redrew the North Coast district to exclude incumbent Congressman Mike Thompson's hometown of St. Helena. Thompson, who has represented the North Coast in Congress since 1999, has announced his intention to run in the state's new 5th Congressional District, leaving the coastal race wide open.

With the official filing period for candidates not opening until February, the field is likely to change in the coming months, but already a diverse array of candidates have thrown their hats into the ring in the run up to the June 5 primary election. In sharp contrast to the partisan primaries of the state's past, next year will see an open primary under which the top two vote-getters -- regardless of party -- move on to compete in the November general election.
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...The race's only Republican, Dan Roberts is hoping to bring a little fiscal sanity and know-how to Washington.

”Today, economic recovery and job creation are imperatives,” Roberts said on his website. “The private sector and especially small businesses create real jobs. Government spending does not provide jobs but rather is characterized as a series of transfer payments from one person to another.”

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, Roberts received a master's degree in business administration from Loyola University and is the founder and chief executive officer of Roberts and Ryan Investments Inc. in San Francisco, which he started in 1987. A member of the Newt Gingrich/American Solutions group, Roberts has worked for more than four years as an advisor to Congress and said he hopes to bring problem-solving abilities to Congress.

With serious issues facing the country, Roberts said his primary campaign focus is on war and peace, taxation and spending, and protecting the border.

For more information on Roberts and his policy positions,
visit his website at ◼ http://danrobertsforcongress.com/

(W) 415-956-2000 (H) 415-383-2235 (f) 415-296-8873
Email: droberts@robertsryan.net