By Marquise Allen
The Chronicle
Published: December 18, 2009 10:59 PM PST
David Castillo, who in June became the first declared challenger in what is now a very crowded race for Southwest Washington’s seat in Congress, visited Centralia Friday in his efforts to reach out to constituents and potential financial contributors.
He said his campaign won’t change, despite the fact that the race for the 3rd District seat has become much more lively after U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, announced he would not seek re-election in 2010.
Castillo, a Centralia High School graduate, told The Chronicle Friday that he is still focusing on creating jobs, lowering taxes and pushing for fiscal responsibility, saying those are concerns that resonate within the 3rd District.
He still has strong opinions about the health care debate, saying the government has no place doing something the private sector was meant to do.
The Chronicle
Published: December 18, 2009 10:59 PM PST
David Castillo, who in June became the first declared challenger in what is now a very crowded race for Southwest Washington’s seat in Congress, visited Centralia Friday in his efforts to reach out to constituents and potential financial contributors.
He said his campaign won’t change, despite the fact that the race for the 3rd District seat has become much more lively after U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, announced he would not seek re-election in 2010.
Castillo, a Centralia High School graduate, told The Chronicle Friday that he is still focusing on creating jobs, lowering taxes and pushing for fiscal responsibility, saying those are concerns that resonate within the 3rd District.
He still has strong opinions about the health care debate, saying the government has no place doing something the private sector was meant to do.
“I will vote to repeal it if I get elected,” said Castillo if health care legislation is passed in its current form.
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“I’ve still got a great deal of support, and that hasn’t changed,” said Castillo, who has been endorsed by Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester, state Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia and House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, among others.
Castillo also holds the financial lead. The Federal Election Commission listed the Centralia native as having raised just under $54,000 at the end of September. Castillo’s Web site has him at over $70,000 by the middle of October.
He also believes his willingness to run against an entrenched incumbent will resonate with voters even after Baird’s departure.
“The saying isn’t ‘when the going gets easy,’ it’s ‘when the going gets tough,’” he said. “There’s a reason people respect that. It goes to character.”
From his work at the state capitol in Olympia to serving as the deputy assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs and at the Department of Homeland Security, Castillo believes he has the experience to take on the job.
“In these times, there isn’t time for on-the-job training,” he said.
Third District Shifting More Conservative?
The 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington is often described as one of the few true swing districts in the nation, but voters in the November election showed conservative leanings on two hot-button issue in last month’s general election.
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“I’ve still got a great deal of support, and that hasn’t changed,” said Castillo, who has been endorsed by Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester, state Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia and House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, among others.
Castillo also holds the financial lead. The Federal Election Commission listed the Centralia native as having raised just under $54,000 at the end of September. Castillo’s Web site has him at over $70,000 by the middle of October.
He also believes his willingness to run against an entrenched incumbent will resonate with voters even after Baird’s departure.
“The saying isn’t ‘when the going gets easy,’ it’s ‘when the going gets tough,’” he said. “There’s a reason people respect that. It goes to character.”
From his work at the state capitol in Olympia to serving as the deputy assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs and at the Department of Homeland Security, Castillo believes he has the experience to take on the job.
“In these times, there isn’t time for on-the-job training,” he said.
Third District Shifting More Conservative?
The 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington is often described as one of the few true swing districts in the nation, but voters in the November election showed conservative leanings on two hot-button issue in last month’s general election.
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