2006.10.16: October 16, 2006: Headlines: Figures: COS - Colombia: Politics: Congress: Monterey County Herald: Sam Farr and the case of the missing opponent
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2006.10.16: October 16, 2006: Headlines: Figures: COS - Colombia: Politics: Congress: Monterey County Herald: Sam Farr and the case of the missing opponent
Sam Farr and the case of the missing opponent
"I've always had an opponent," said Farr, whose 17th Congressional District includes Monterey County and San Benito County, along with parts of Santa Cruz County. "I've probably faced more opponents than anyone, from all the various parties." But even the veteran Farr has never faced an opponent quite like Anthony DeMaio. That's because after filing late and running unopposed in the Republican primary, DeMaio has all but disappeared. The phantom candidate hasn't answered repeated phone calls and e-mails seeking comment. Congressman Sam Farr of California served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia in the 1960's.
Sam Farr and the case of the missing opponent
Farr and the case of the missing opponent
By JIM JOHNSON
Herald Salinas Bureau
During his three decades in public office, Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, has experienced election campaigns and political opponents of nearly every stripe. He's faced serious challenges and less-serious challenges, mainstream-party opponents and alternative-party opponents.
"I've always had an opponent," said Farr, whose 17th Congressional District includes Monterey County and San Benito County, along with parts of Santa Cruz County. "I've probably faced more opponents than anyone, from all the various parties."
But even the veteran Farr has never faced an opponent quite like Anthony DeMaio.
That's because after filing late and running unopposed in the Republican primary, DeMaio has all but disappeared. The phantom candidate hasn't answered repeated phone calls and e-mails seeking comment.
The San Francisco private equity firm that used to employ him, Swander Pace Capital, said it hasn't heard from DeMaio since his contract expired last summer. Farr said he and his staff have had no luck finding him. And DeMaio hasn't filed any campaign financing reports with the Federal Elections Commission, a requirement for any candidate raising more than a few thousand dollars.
Even the Monterey County Republican Central Committee has seen neither hide nor hair of DeMaio since its primary-election night party in Monterey in June.
According to local Republican staff, the party had considered not running a candidate against Farr until DeMaio promised to campaign. Obviously, he has since changed his mind, said GOP political consultant Brandon Gesicki.
DeMaio "must have figured he didn't have a chance running against Sam Farr in a district rigged for Democrats," Gesicki said. "But we have other candidates in those kinds of races who are at least accessible to the public and the media."
Without even token opposition from the other major party, Farr has been able to spend some campaign time helping with fundraising efforts for other Democratic congressional candidates around the country. Farr said he's working to help seat a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives and install current minority leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, as speaker.
According to Farr, the change in House leadership will help speed implementation of one of his top priorities, getting American troops out of Iraq. He said a Democratic majority in the House would result in Pennsylvania's Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Johnstown, taking over as chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Committee. A decorated Marine veteran, Murtha has campaigned vigorously to extract American troops from Iraq.
"Whoever controls the committee controls the purse strings," Farr said. "And whoever controls the money controls the troops."
Farr's legislative agenda, like his long record of accomplishments during a 12-year career in Washington, ranges from environmental protection to redevelopment of current and former military facilities on the Central Coast, as well as issues of national and international importance.
Farr points to his bipartisan work on the Oceans-21 legislation aimed at improving management and protection of oceans and marine preserves. And, he said there's more to be done, including continuing to support the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary trail, which he said will offer the public more access to the treasured preserve than anywhere else in the state, and working to preserve the Rocks and Islands National Monument off the California coast.
Seeing the cleanup and transformation of Fort Ord is also a priority, Farr said. He added that he will continue to push for more affordable housing on the former military base and to add a veterans clinic on site.
He said he will continue to support the Monterey Bay area's thriving military community, including the Naval Postgraduate School and the Defense Language Institute, by pushing for military housing for civilian staff.
Farr also touts his instrumental backing of a unique program through the Naval Postgraduate School, the Center for Stabilization and Reconstruction Studies, which focuses on establishing a centralized command system for rebuilding nations devastated by military conflict.
A member of the agriculture subcommittee, Farr said he will also work to improve industry standards and oversight.
Establishing locality-pay increases and raising Medicare reimbursement rates are also on his to-do-list, Farr said.
Meanwhile, Anthony DeMaio's to-do list, if elected, remains a mystery.
Jim Johnson can be reached at 753-6753 or jjohnson@montereyherald.com.
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Story Source: Monterey County Herald
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