Posted on 11/15/2005 12:40:44 PM PST by calcowgirl
DEL MAR – Former state Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian announced his formal entry yesterday into the race to replace Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham in the 50th Congressional District.
Kaloogian, a 45-year-old San Marcos attorney, said his leadership skills will stand out from the crowded field of Republicans expected to vie for the open seat in the heavily Republican district.
"Everyone in the race will be against illegal immigration; everyone will talk about excess spending," Kaloogian said. "The key is who is going to get something done about it. Do you want someone who is get-along go-along, or someone who will get the majority party to have a backbone and act like the majority party?"
The 50th District primary is in June.
Kaloogian made his announcement at the Black Horse Grille in Del Mar, surrounded by supporters. In a phone interview before the appearance, Kaloogian said the most important issues facing the United States are preventing terrorism and reining in national spending.
He said that he wants to deploy more law enforcement officers onthe Mexican border to prevent illegal crossings and that he supports Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, in his efforts to construct a fence along the border.
"I think that it's important we win the war against terror – and that begins with securing our borders at home," Kaloogian said.
Kaloogian has been heavily involved in politics since 1994 when he ran in the Republican primary for the 74th Assembly District, which stretched over much of North County. He served as assistant Republican leader in the Legislature and pushed relentlessly, but unsuccessfully, to replace income and sales taxes with a flat tax.
Term limits forced him out of office in 2000.
Kaloogian became chairman of one of three committees seeking to recall Gray Davis as governor, and he founded the organization Move America Forward. The group is best known for its "You don't speak for me, Cindy" tour, a counterprotest to Cindy Sheehan's anti-war efforts.
Sheehan is the Northern California woman who lost her son to war and then camped out in front of President Bush's ranch in hopes he would tell her why her son died.
"She is not the mainstream and average soldier's family," Kaloogian said. "We wanted to give voice to the other side."
In 2004, Kaloogian ran in the U.S. Senate Republican primary for a chance to challenge Sen. Barbara Boxer. He was defeated by former California Secretary of State Bill Jones.
As of the Sept. 30 campaign finance reporting deadline, Kaloogian had collected more money from supporters than other Republican candidates in the 50th District race: $28,000.
"They know I stand for something," Kaloogian said. "I will stand for the same thing in D.C. that I stood for here."
The 50th District stretches from northern San Diego to Escondido and San Marcos and then along the coast from Carlsbad south to Del Mar. It has 45 percent Republican registration and 30 percent Democratic.
Cunningham, an eight-term congressman, decided against a re-election campaign because of federal investigations into his financial dealings with defense contractors.
Other Republicans collecting campaign donations for a 50th District race include state Assemblyman Mark Wyland of Del Mar and Alan Uke, founder of the nonprofit San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum. Cardiff school board member Francine Busby is currently the only Democrat in the race.
You know they're really reaching when they resort to potshots about his height!
...and this is a perfect example of the point I made in my Freepmail to you. Be very suspicious of anyone who cites this kind of "source" here on FR.
Yes, the author of the article obviously hates the Right.
I expect there will be lots like this, opposing Kaloogian, so forewarned is forearmed. Thanks.
Did Kaloogian relocate his home address?
I don't know. I'm not sure that it matters. He knows the area, he's from the area and represented it for several terms in the Assembly.
KALOOGIAN BUMP! (*disclosure: I work for Howard's campaign - but that disclosure is made with great pride).
They are all great guys. But I agree with you that Kaloogian stands out. He doesn't just sit around in Sacramento lamenting how bad things are. He gets out there and does things. Whether it is supporting the troops and taking on Michael Moore and Cindy Sheehan, or defending Ronald Reagan, or leading the recall, Kaloogian is a doer.
With all of the Republicans in the hand wringing mode, it is imperative that someone with some leadership capability is elected.
He's also his own man. When he gets to Congress he'll vote his conservative conscience. He won't let himself be led around by the nose by high-priced campaign consultants.
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