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A Democrat has entered the race for the 4th Congressional District, and he's bringing some ideas that are unusual for his party.
A former lawyer and self-described writer, John "Wolf" Wolfgram, 63, is running on a platform of shifting payroll taxes to sales taxes and personal income taxes to corporations to revitalize the community.
He calls himself a "Libertarian Democrat," and he wants to forge a treaty with Mexico allowing that country to license workers for U.S. jobs in a bid to stop illegal immigration and the smuggling of workers.
The Vietnam veteran grew up in the Midwest, but has been in California more than 30 years.
Although he has never held office, Wolfgram did run for judge in El Dorado County in 1988.
Wolfgram has stepped up to run in the June primary for the Democratic nomination against Charlie Brown, another Vietnam vet and retired Air Force officer.
Brown first ran for the district in the 2006 race and has never stopped campaigning. He nearly beat incumbent Republican John Doolittle two years ago and carried Nevada County.
"I think Charlie did a good job in his last run and would have unseated Doolittle this time if Doolittle were still running," said the candidate from the Foresthill area of Placer County.
But Wolfgram admits, "My chances are slim to none" for upsetting Brown in the primary.
If he does win, he would run against one of four GOP candidates: Doug Ose, Tom McClintock, Ted Terbolizard and Suzanne Jones.
With Doolittle out of the race - he announced he would not seek a 10th term under a cloud of suspicion involving jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff - Wolfgram thinks the Democrats have a chance.
"The two frontrunners in the GOP (Ose and McClintock) are making it a beauty contest," Wolfgram said.
Both Ose of Sacramento and McClintock of Southern California started their campaigns without living in the district, which is allowed under state law.
"These Republicans have shown us we can just go next door and run again," Wolfgram said.
"We need to change that rule because, in the long run, it won't benefit anyone," he added. "It brings up something that no one wants to do, which is campaign reform."
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
A former lawyer and self-described writer, John "Wolf" Wolfgram, 63, is running on a platform of shifting payroll taxes to sales taxes and personal income taxes to corporations to revitalize the community.
He calls himself a "Libertarian Democrat," and he wants to forge a treaty with Mexico allowing that country to license workers for U.S. jobs in a bid to stop illegal immigration and the smuggling of workers.
The Vietnam veteran grew up in the Midwest, but has been in California more than 30 years.
Although he has never held office, Wolfgram did run for judge in El Dorado County in 1988.
Wolfgram has stepped up to run in the June primary for the Democratic nomination against Charlie Brown, another Vietnam vet and retired Air Force officer.
Brown first ran for the district in the 2006 race and has never stopped campaigning. He nearly beat incumbent Republican John Doolittle two years ago and carried Nevada County.
"I think Charlie did a good job in his last run and would have unseated Doolittle this time if Doolittle were still running," said the candidate from the Foresthill area of Placer County.
But Wolfgram admits, "My chances are slim to none" for upsetting Brown in the primary.
If he does win, he would run against one of four GOP candidates: Doug Ose, Tom McClintock, Ted Terbolizard and Suzanne Jones.
With Doolittle out of the race - he announced he would not seek a 10th term under a cloud of suspicion involving jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff - Wolfgram thinks the Democrats have a chance.
"The two frontrunners in the GOP (Ose and McClintock) are making it a beauty contest," Wolfgram said.
Both Ose of Sacramento and McClintock of Southern California started their campaigns without living in the district, which is allowed under state law.
"These Republicans have shown us we can just go next door and run again," Wolfgram said.
"We need to change that rule because, in the long run, it won't benefit anyone," he added. "It brings up something that no one wants to do, which is campaign reform."
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
