Cottonwood man takes on Herger

IN THE RACE: Campaign Manager Mary Barnes, left, candidate Stiglich, supporter Dorothy Robbins and campaign treasurer Bill Benage.

Cottonwood resident Pete Stiglich, a U.S. Air Force Colonel (retired) and the Committee to Elect Colonel Pete for Congress recently opened a campaign headquarters at 1510 Hartnell Ave., Suite A, in Redding.

Stiglich will face off against fellow Republican and long-time incumbent U.S. Representative Wally Herger, in the June 2010 primary election for California's 2nd Congressional District.

Purporting to be "a new grassroots, conservative, straight-talking" Republican candidate, Stiglich said he represents the many people who are "clearly frustrated and disillusioned with current leadership from both sides of the political fence," a group he calls his Liberty Brigade.

In a short speech marking the official start of his campaign to unseat Herger, Stiglich said he is "tapping into the voting populace's desire for more honesty, integrity and accountability" from their elected leaders.

"A lot more folks these days are looking to government for all the answers and for a free hand-out, unconcerned about the welfare of generations to follow," Stiglich said during his prepared remarks.

"We have too many elected leaders who are unwilling or, perhaps, incapable of leading, apparently (they are) more interested in placating special interests and perpetuating their own political careers than doing what is inherently right and best for our nation," the candidate pressed on.

"Folks have good reason to be afraid," Stiglich said, warming to his central point. "They have good reason to be concerned about the direction the country is headed. They have good reason to be angry with their elected leaders; leaders who have not listened; leaders who have failed to lead; leaders who have, more often than not, placed personal and political party interests ahead of those of the nation."

Stiglich entered the Air Force in 1980 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He spent 26 years in the Air Force. He retired in 2006 to a ranch in Cottonwood that he shares with his mother and sister.

He serves on the Cottonwood Community Park Board.

In 2008, Stiglich was one of four Republican candidates for the California Assembly District 2 seat left vacant when Doug LaMalfa was termed out of office after serving six years. Former state Senator Jim Nielsen eventually won that race.