Nick Popaditch is running for Congress. Previous occupation? Gunnery Sergeant, USMC. That patch he wears? Not preparing for Talk like a Pirate day, but rather a wound at Fallujah. His district? California’s 51st.
Oh yes, that district. Inland California tends to be right-leaning, but Imperial County is one big exception. It’s a poor expanse of desert along the Mexican border stretching from Arizona to San Diego County. Since redistricting shifted the seat’s number from 50 to 51, Democrat Bob Filner won by 19, 26, 27, and 48 points. This is not friendly territory, so it’s good we have a tough, strong, disciplined candidate like Nick Popaditch running there.
You can’t get upsets unless you have a good challenger ready, and Nick Popaditch is showing us how that is done.
The Democrats have noticed, too. A local left-leaning paper made fun of that wound he suffered in the war:
So he’s already attracting attention. Plus, he’s running on all the right principles we can support: limited government, strong national defense, strong border security, lower taxes, and less regulation to promote job growth. Imperial County is poor, and unemployment is worse than even the rest of California. This could have an impact.
If you want to help Nick Popaditch, chip in right here.
Moe Lane
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
Jeff Emanuel
AWESOME Neil!
RealQuiet (Diary) Saturday, September 11th at 10:41AM EDT (link)In project 143, IJB told me if that I had AZ-7 as a secondary target, I should put CA-51 in that category. Glad you highlighted this race because this guy is an incredible candidate.
Glad to hear of you, Nick P.
redneck_hippie (Diary) Saturday, September 11th at 10:45AM EDT (link)I lived in El Centro for a short time when I was 9. Got to contact my cousin to make sure his whole family votes. I’m sure they all will, they are in police/border enforcement.
Great candidate
takemccain2 (Diary) Saturday, September 11th at 11:05AM EDT (link)Now that’s a man!
I think, therefore I am not a Democrat. I fight, therefore I am not a Republican.
A true Marine
daylight1958 Saturday, September 11th at 11:05AM EDT (link)I bought his book. The Gunny was, literally, hit on the helmet by an RPG round fired at his tank.
Gunny Pop
joecollins (Diary) Saturday, September 11th at 11:30AM EDT (link)Here in Southern California, he is known as “Gunny Pop.” I’ve seen him in action and heard his speak. He is the real deal. Conservative, patriotic, honorable. We could not ask for a finer Representative in Congress.
I'm in the CD just north of his
Neil Stevens (Diary) Saturday, September 11th at 12:03PM EDT (link)So I’m out of his whistle stop rounds.
If he’d run against Bono Mack I’d have gladly voted for him though
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Here's a little
rdelbov Saturday, September 11th at 12:45PM EDT (link)history lesson. In 1980 most of this district was represented by Lionel Van Deerlin. Young Army Vet Duncan Hunter walked door to door in that Reagan landslide year. He upset Deerlin.
Maybe its time for another upset in San Diego and I wonder whatever happened to Duncan Hunter??
This district is primarily Imperial County
Neil Stevens (Diary) Saturday, September 11th at 12:48PM EDT (link)Most of San Diego County is in other districts.
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
By geography
rdelbov Saturday, September 11th at 2:29PM EDT (link)90% of the district is Imperial county but by population about 85% in San Diego county. The district hugs the border and sneaks into Downtown San Diego.
The Gerrymander is not a protected spieces in CA
Hmm
Neil Stevens (Diary) Saturday, September 11th at 3:37PM EDT (link)Fair enough. And this is a seat gerrymandered for Democrats. Well, a Democrat who holds it.
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Neil
rdelbov Saturday, September 11th at 4:27PM EDT (link)it gerrymandered for a democrat but its 53% hispanic by population for there swing voters here.
Kerry only got 53% here so this seat is out completely out of the question for a GOP candidate. Its a tough road-to be honest-Popaditch has encountered tough before.
Yeah it's not out of the question
Neil Stevens (Diary) Saturday, September 11th at 4:37PM EDT (link)That’s why I posted
RS contributing editor and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
A liberal paper made fun of his war injuries?
itsjoanne Saturday, September 11th at 12:34PM EDT (link)That’s appalling.
He sounds like a great man, and would be a wonderful addition to the house.
CA-51 *Can* Be Won, But...
IJB Saturday, September 11th at 1:32PM EDT (link)…It’ll take an extremely low turnout election for it to happen.
Filner has represented significantly Latino districts for a couple of decades now, and IIRC, he was actually kept to a low winning margin in the 90s (probably in ’94) because Dem turnout was low.
If Dem, and especially Hispanic, turnout is significantly off in 2010, CA-51 (which is D+8 district, so it isn’t totally out of reach…) can be won.
(P.S. Everything I just said about CA-51, pretty much also applies to AZ-07 (D+6) – they are very similar districts in terms of demographics…)
Oh, And To Follow-Up...
IJB Saturday, September 11th at 1:34PM EDT (link)There’s an Assembly District that basically covers Imperial Country, and it was represented by a Republican in the earlier part of this decade.
So Imperial County is definitely not totally out of reach for us anyway.
It's always a good sign,
Locked and Loaded (Diary) Saturday, September 11th at 2:53PM EDT (link)when a man can speak so fluidly about his beliefs. He doesn’t need to stutter and stammer, pause and gather his thoughts, be carerul to say the right thing.
No GM, GE, or any GSE for me.
Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?
Matthew 20:15 NIV
GUNNY POP CAN WIN. HELP HIM
marrs Saturday, September 11th at 3:14PM EDT (link)Host a house party and invite him–HE WILL COME.
Call everyone you know–everyone–and make sure they are registered, and then organize RIDES TO THE POLLS. This is important.
Call family and friends OUT of the district and ask them to send $5.00, $10.00 . . . $100.00 . … ANYTHING they can to Nick. They can still help him win. www.popaditchforcongress.com
Don’t waste time talking to opponents. Talk to people who DO NOT vote and independents, and TURN THEM OUT TO VOTE. This is where races are won and lost.
And read his book ONCE A MARINE. (www.onceamarine.com). Send copies to friends and ask them to pass it around. It tells you WHO this man is.
Onward–but off the couch and at the Hill, Americans. Start now.
Marty
www.popaditchforcongress.com
Coop Saturday, September 11th at 8:34PM EDT (link)We could use a few good Gunnery Sergeants like Nick Popaditch to shake up Congress.
It's gerrymandered to take in low-income & border areas of San Diego County. At one time, it was the only DEM seat in San Diego Co.
nvrepub (Diary) Saturday, September 11th at 8:52PM EDT (link)nt
Password
azzieman Sunday, September 12th at 3:39PM EDT (link)RedState is bogus. I want to make my own password, not use their salad every time that I want to log in.
Also, who is the crank that says that he is a Republican and, therefore, he does not fight?
You’ve got the wrong party, pal. We already have way too many Republicans that don’t want a fight. Too many wimps. If I ran for Congress, you’d see a fight.
If you have a complaint
Bill S (Diary) Sunday, September 12th at 3:42PM EDT (link)send it to the Contact link at the top. Don’t pollute the discussion threads with it.
Mgmt.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
So run for Congress.
mbecker908 (Diary) Sunday, September 12th at 3:47PM EDT (link)Until then, ST*U.
That, too. -nt-
Bill S (Diary) Sunday, September 12th at 4:08PM EDT (link)“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Thank you for highlighting this race, Neil.
itrytobenice (Diary) Monday, September 13th at 12:13AM EDT (link)I’ve been impressed with Nick Popaditch for several months now and have high hopes that he’ll take this seat.
If you live in his district and can put up a yard sign or help in any way, please do so. He’s a good man and would make a good representative.
Proper grammar saves lives.
Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.
Yes, Nick is a great candidate.
Loren Heal (Diary) Thursday, October 28th at 9:52PM EDT (link)The recent Filner – Popaditch debate was a total smackdown.
–
Join the Concord Project, and follow @lheal, if you dare.
Gunny Pop is the Man
jwill555 Monday, September 13th at 1:36AM EDT (link)I have been volunteering for Nick’s campaign for about six months. We are beginning to turn the corner because people want change in Washington. We can win this race, but we need your help. Nick has lots of volunteers walking precincts, making phone calls and waving signs. He won;t take money from special interests because he wants to be a congressman of the people. He needs your contributions to get the message out. Please help if you can.