Russ Warner Wins Democratic Primary in 26th District
Warner's message of change sets the tone for November's election
MONROVIA Democratic voters in California¹s 26th Congressional district handed Russ Warner a decisive 35 point victory over former nominee Cynthia Matthews on Tuesday. Warner is now set to face Rep. David Dreier in the fall, in an election year where no Republican is safe and a visceral desire for change defines the political landscape.
³It¹s an honor to have the confidence of my neighbors and fellow citizens,² Warner said Tuesday night. ³I want to thank my supporters, and everyone who believes that we can do better for our country than we¹re doing now. We¹re ready to move forward, not as Democrats or Republicans but as Americans who feel that it is time to turn the page.²
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen congratulated Russ Warner on his victory.
³Congratulations to Russ Warner on his win today and his fight for change.
California¹s 26th Congressional district deserves a representative who didn¹t rubber stamp President Bush¹s failed war policies on the war and the economy. A successful small businessman, Russ understands the challenges facing California¹s middle class and will continue to attract Democrats, independents and Republicans to his campaign for change,² Van Hollen said.
With 99.7 percent of precincts reporting in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, Warner received 67.5 percent of the vote, compared with 32.5 percent to his primary competitor.
Warner¹s victory underlines how well his candidacy fits the district. As a successful self-made businessman, Warner knows what it¹s like to balance a budget, meet a payroll and provide for a family. He has lived in the district with his wife, Kris, for 27 years. Greg, their eldest, is in the U.S. Army and served in Iraq for 17 months.
³Right now, our communities are paying the price for years of failed leadership,² Warner told supporters Tuesday evening. ³But we¹re Americans.
We know that our fate is in our hands and our future is what we make it. We will not walk away from the challenges in front of us. We will not accept that health care and economic crisis are now the status quo. We will not accept that the America we have today is the America we will pass on to our children. I'm running for Congress because our current leadership is ignoring the growing problems we face. In Congress I'll fight to swiftly and safely end the war in Iraq and get our country back on track.²
Warner has been working diligently for the past year to raise the money needed to defeat Dreier. His campaign raised more than $500,000 in contributions, which is by far the most money raised by any Democratic challenger who has faced Dreier since he was first elected to Congress in 1980. In addition, he has earned the support of numerous community and political leaders, including Congresswoman Hilda Solis and Congressman Adam Schiff. Warner also received the endorsement of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, which represents more than 845,000 workers in Los Angeles County.
http://www.warnerforcongress.com
