Where I live, in California’s 49th Congressional District that straddles swaths of Orange and San Diego Counties, it’s a foregone conclusion that no Democrat will ever successfully take on Rep. Darrell Issa, the richest member of Congress with a net worth of over 357 million dollars.
But thanks to the Trump “Freefall” Effect, political novice and Retired Marine Colonel Douglas Applegate (D), having raised less than $100,000, surprised everyone Tuesday, including himself, and won 45.4% of the vote (to Issa’s 51%), a mere 6,200 vote difference.
That means that Applegate and Issa will be up against each other on the November ballot.
Interestingly, Issa recently endorsed Donald Trump:
“Donald Trump is the obvious choice for every American suffering from eight years of disastrous economic policies and anti-job regulations that have caused real pain to tens of millions of Americans who need and deserve better.”
Retired Colonel Applegate, who is also an attorney, had this to say in response to Tuesday’s election results:
I didn’t see any Democratic challenger to a sitting Congressman ever doing that well….I didn’t appreciate how difficult it was as a challenger. I was a little naive and said ‘it can’t be that much different than being in the Marine Corp or being a trial attorney.’ It is. It’s a lot different…
Needless to say, Col. Applegate has been noticed by Democrats locally and nationally. I hear on good authority that his phone has been ringing off the hook since Tuesday.
More from the candidate:
As a Marine Colonel serving around the world and a civilian trial attorney for nearly four decades, I have a proven record. After joining the Marines months before Saigon fell, I chose to first become an infantry officer and later a Judge Advocate. I grew up the son of a hardworking middle class, blue collar family, and was the first Applegate to ever graduate from college. My values come from my parents. My mom owned a neighborhood convenience store and later was an insurance agent. And my father, a World War II veteran twice wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, worked a bread route and was an union GM plant security officer.
My business career and military duties span advising Marine commanders, defending & prosecuting war crimes, complex civil & criminal trials and a combat tour in Ramadi, Baghdad & Fallujah, retiring after 32 years active and reserve in 2006. I have lived and worked in this District since stationed at Camp Pendleton in 1981, with my family raising our three children.
I chose to volunteer to serve my country, the greatest on earth. We need new, positive leadership committed to integrity, accountability and transparency in a Congress that is willing to take big-money’s influence out of our Government. I will fight to bring back American jobs that provide living wages & equal pay for equal work. I have the experience to ask the right questions to get us the Strongest National Defense, the best Veterans Administration, and to stop endless wars. I will demand comprehensive immigration reform that makes American employers part of the solution.
For me, true patriotism is not only about pledging allegiance. It is about serving our country however you can. Our duty is to keep America strong and working for all Americans. Too many people today know that simply playing by the rules and working hard is no longer enough to give the next generation the same chance to get ahead. I will fight to give all Americans who work hard an opportunity to succeed. With three children, one in college, I know our future depends on good-paying jobs, affordable college, and fighting for the middle class. By cutting through the politics and focusing on finding common sense solutions, I will connect with voters across party lines in a district that includes Camp Pendleton, and nearly 80,000 veteran households. I ask for and would be honored to have your vote. We need to make government work for all Americans.
Let’s help Doug take on Darrell. Join Team Applegate here!