Two-term state assemblyman, state senator, and former California lieutenant governor Abel Maldonado has made it official: He’s running for U.S. Congress in 2012.
On Feb. 13, Maldonado, a Republican and Santa Maria native, pulled his necessary paperwork at the Santa Barbara County Elections Office, kicking off his campaign for the 24th U.S. Congressional District.
“We need to focus on the policies that are going to create jobs and get our economy back on track,” Maldonado said at a press conference in Santa Barbara, vowing to focus his attention on creating jobs, protecting the coastline, and bringing clean energy to the district.
The ex-Santa Maria mayor’s foray sets up a three-way battle among fellow Republican and former actor Chris Mitchum of Santa Barbara and incumbent Democrat Lois Capps in the revamped 24th District, redrawn last year to span all of Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, and a section of Ventura County.
“With Maldonado’s entry into the race, there will be a very competitive contest between Tea Party leader Chris Mitchum and him, as both failed to generate much support in the latest fundraising report,” Capps’ campaign spokesperson Jeff Millman said in a press release. “Regardless of who runs, Lois will stay focused on getting our economy fully restarted, standing up for families against powerful corporate interests, and making sure seniors get the benefits they have earned.”
In a statement Maldonado accused Capps of voting along with a “status quo” that has led the country to a deep recession, excessive unemployment, a depressed housing market, and a national debt of more than $14 trillion.
“Lois has been in office now 14 years, so if the people of this district believe that Lois can change America in the next two years, then they ought to be voting for Lois Capps, but I believe that America is ready for a new direction,” Maldonado said. “We are on the wrong track.”
The three major candidates will face off in an open primary on June 5, with the top two vote getters moving on to the general election in November.
Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley), who currently represents the 24th District, announced his retirement in December. Republican businessman Tom Watson, who ran against Capps in the 23rd District in 2010, said on Feb. 6 that he would not run again this year.
This article appears in Feb 16-23, 2012.