Happy Valley's Cheadle looks to unseat Herger

Gregory Cheadle

Businessman Gregory Cheadle of Happy Valley is one of three challengers hoping to unseat William Walter “Wally” Herger, Jr., of Chico, in the June 2012 primary election.

Herger, 66, a 12-term incumbent in the U.S. House of Representatives, currently serves in California’s 2nd Congressional District, most of which will be included in the newly defined 1st Congressional District.

So far, Democrat Jim Reed, a lawyer from Fall River, is the only non-Republican in the group. He lost to Herger in the November 2010 General Election.

Cottonwood Republican Pete Stiglich, 58, has also announced his candidacy in a second attempt to defeat Herger. Stiglich, a retired Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, lost to Herger in the June 2010 primary.

Cheadle, 55, a real estate broker, currently builds custom-designed luxury playhouses for the children of well-heeled clients throughout California.

“We’ve got to get back to the basics in politics,” Cheadle said. “I like Wally. Every time we meet, we hug. But there has to be an end to the complaining that he cannot get anything done because of the Democrat majority in Congress.”

The proverbial straw that proved too much for Cheadle to bear, however, came when Herger lent his support to the stimulus vote put forth by President Barack Obama and the Nancy Pelosi-led Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, Cheadle is quick to explain.

“I disagree with Wally 100 bazillion percent on that stimulus vote,” Cheadle said, noting that 70 percent of Herger’s constituents also disagreed.

Walking precincts and knocking on doors is how Cheadle is taking his message to voters. He also has a Web site on which he posts his views on a variety of topics.

“People are fed up. People hate politics and politicians,” he has learned from face-to-face campaigning. Public office, especially at the federal level, was “never designed for career politicians who only look out for themselves or who become pawns to the special interests,” Cheadle said.

“I represent the person who wants limited government, term limits and a citizen legislator as espoused by Thomas Jefferson,” Cheadle explains.

“From my perspective, I appeal to the thinkers.”

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Oakland, Cheadle has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in health care administration and is in his final year of a doctorate from the California Northern School of Law in Chico.

A single dad, Cheadle is the proud father of three children: His eldest daughter Fevi, 26, works for a large bank in Los Angeles; middle son Amadeius, 19, is taking pre-med courses at Shasta College; and his youngest daughter Sierra, 13, is being home-schooled.

“It’s important for me to meet people face to face. In many ways, I am an old-fashioned politician who will be at your house to meet with you and represent you. I want to truly represent the people,” Cheadle said. “I am not taking a single dime from the special interests.”

Although he may represent old-fashioned values that are derived from a great respect for the U.S. Constitution, Cheadle also uses Facebook and his Web site to spread his message.

“The reality is, I cannot meet with everybody in the district. On my Web site and on my Facebook page, people can see what I am all about at 1 a.m. while lounging in their pajamas. They can also leave me their ideas,” he said.

His Web site is www.cheadleforcongress.com

Also an actor who appeared in season seven on the popular television series “24” and in several episodes of “Gray’s Anatomy,” Cheadle is not adverse to public speaking engagements or a public debate with other candidates.

“(Pete) Stiglich wants a debate and I am willing to do that, but I won’t participate in a circus. I will take part in a serious debate (on the issues) without histrionics,” Cheadle said.

Of his most recent role as a first-time candidate for public office, Cheadle said, “This is something I feel compelled to do. This is the most serious work I’ve ever done. I’m doing what the Lord has called me to do. I am where I am supposed to be and I am happy with it.”