DeMaio announces congressional bid

Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio announced his bid Thursday for the 52nd Congressional seat in 2014 against Congressman Scott Peters.

In an email to his supporters DeMaio vowed to “shake up the political parties” writing, “To impose accountability and transparency on the political process like we’ve never seen before, I will propose a law to force Congress to live under the same laws it expects the rest of us to live under.

“Fixing Congress must also involve changing the tone and tenor of both political parties. I see myself as a ‘new generation Republican’ who wants to challenge the party to focus on fiscal, economic and quality of life issues in a more positive and inclusive way – rather than issues that are frankly none of the government’s business in the first place.

“My candidacy and my eventual voice in Congress will offer an example of how we can refocus Washington’s attention on issues that unite, rather than issues that divide.”

In November, Democratic U.S. Rep. Peters won a close, expensive race against incumbent Republican Brian Bilbray in a newly-drawn district that takes in much of San Diego and parts of Poway and Coronado.

On hearing the news, Tony Krvaric, chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County, told NBC 7,

“DeMaio is a formidable candidate with broad appeal. We need serious reform in Washington, D.C. and Scott Peters is no reformer.”

Openly gay DeMaio, ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year.

According to NBC 7, Congressman Peters’ spokesperson MaryAnne Pintar had this to say in regards to DeMaio’s bid for the 52nd Congressional seat,

“With the primary election more than a year away, Congressman Peters is focused on bi-partisan problem solving — not politics. That’s why National Journal named him one of the most independent thinkers in Congress. He is fighting for our national defense, veterans, students and our innovation economy and has done so with the support of many of the same Republican leaders who formerly backed Mr. DeMaio.”