There are eight (8) Fighting Dem vets candidates running in six districts. DC Political Report has five blue stars for wide-open races in favor of Democrats for all the top offices of California (Governor, Lt Gov, Attorney General, Secretary of State, etc.). It is an historical opportunity to turn a state blue, blue, blue. This circumstance can help local candidates to a point, but some districts are blood red and they need out help here as elsewhere to raise a credible challenge to some of the worst of the worst (like Duncan Hunter, CA-52).
You can read about these candidates and the Fighting Dem vets on
Fighting-Dems.com and below the fold.
Bill FALZETT for Congress (CA-02)
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force.
Bill was raised as an Army brat and had a 5-year enlistment in the USAF from 1959 to 1964. His youngest son is a Sgt in the 82nd Airborne of the U.S. Army and has been to Iraq -- the catalyst that energized Bill to work for changes. Bill is opposed in the Dem primary by physician and '02 candidate Arjinderpal Singh "A.J." Sekhon. The winner will face Wally Herger ® who has presided over 20 years of infrastructure, social, and economic decay and disarray in this district.
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Bill DURSTON for Congress (CA-03)
U.S. Marine Corps.
Vietnam vet, serving with the Marines 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company. He was awarded the Navy Commendation medal for bravery under combat. Bill is unopposed in the primary and will be facing 6th term Republican incumbent Daniel E. "Dan" Lungren.
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Charles BROWN for Congress (CA-04)
LtCol, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Air Force Academy graduate flying helicopters in support of Vietnam War; awarded Distinguished Flying Cross. Missions in Panama, Grenada, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. Charlie has two other primary opponents to beat to face 8th term Republican John T. Doolittle, who has done little enough.
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Steve FILSON for Congress (CA-11)
U.S. Navy.
Son of an aviation officer, Steve also became a pilot, serving aboard the USS Hancock and the USS Ranger and piloting three different carrier-based attack aircraft. Steve has a primary fight with four other candidates, including '04 nominee
Jerry McNerney. The winner will face 7th term Republican incumbent Richard W. Pombo. DC Political Report gives it four stars for a possible upset if national issues tip the balance.
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Jim BRANDT for Congress (CA-45)
Captain, U.S. Marine Corps.
Served as a Naval aviator in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Jim is a vet and businessman, founding his own company. He was the '04 nominee and is not opposed in the primary. In the General Election he will be facing 9th term Republican incumbent Dana Rohrabacher.
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Karen Marie OTTER for Congress (CA-52)
Sergeant, U.S. Army.
Served as a Pershing Missile Crewman assigned to missile units in Oklahoma and Germany.
Karen has worked in increasingly responsible areas of administration and management with extensive training through the California Association of Community Managers (CACM) to obtain the professional certification of Community Association Manager (CCAM). Karen now manages one new, large planned development of 1600 units upon completion and six condominium communities in Chula Vista.
Karen faces a large field of Democratic challengers in the primary, including two other vets (below). The winner will face 13th term Republican incumbent Duncan Hunter, the man who forced Eric Massa off the House Armed Serviced Committee for shaking the hand of his old boss, General Wesley Clark.
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Derek CASADY for Congress (CA-52)
Officer, U.S. Navy.
Served 3½ years as an officer in the Navy aboard a Tank Landing Ship that took part in the last atmospheric nuclear tests in the Pacific. Derek and Nancy have been longtime community, peace, and Democratic Party activists. Among other undertakings, Derek worked 10 years as the Administrative Assistant to Senator Jim Mills, the President Pro Tempore of the California Senate. There is a large field of Democrats in the primary and the winner will face 13th term Republican incumbent Duncan Hunter
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John RINALDI for Congress (CA-52)
Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve.
Served as a commissioned officer during Desert Storm and came to San Diego for Chaplains training. He was awarded Navy Achievement Medal. John has worked as a police officer, teacher, in financial services and as a real estate agent.
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