District 4 hopefuls square off

Differences and similarities between the six people seeking to replace John Doolittle in the U.S. House of Representatives were revealed at a packed Nevada City candidates forum Wednesday night.

The League of Women Voters of Western Nevada County attracted Republican candidates Tom McClintock, Doug Ose, Suzanne Jones and Ted Terbolizard, all of whom are vying to win their party's nomination in the June 3 primary.

Also present were John Wolfgram and Charlie Brown from the Democratic side, one of whom will face the GOP winner Nov. 4 for the District 4 congressional seat.

The candidates faced questions of spending priorities, national security, illegal immigration, energy policy, education, global warming and the war in Iraq. Some Republican candidates bemoaned failures of a previous Republican majority in Congress and what they called a shift in the party's focus.

In opening statements, McClintock, a Republican from Southern California, called for prudent spending and "not grabbing for pork barrel earmarks."

"The government is not our nanny," McClintock said.

Former three-term congressman Ose started off by laying his claim to the region.

"I was born and raised in Northern California," Ose said.

Ose, who is advocating strong defense, tax limitations and border security, said he sees "our nation is adrift."

Brown noted he was the only candidate who had raised his family in the district.

More than 25 years in the Air Force taught Brown that "the foremost duty of government is to keep the country safe."

Jones, an attorney, said she was upset with her party for deficit spending and shifting to the left. "I'm unhappy with the status quo," she said.

Wolfgram, a political philosopher and writer from Foresthill, said the nation's primary problem is "fundamental corruption in government."

"We need to reduce power and bring accountability to government," Wolfgram said.

Nevada County's only entry, Terbolizard, said, "I had the shortest commute to get here." He said the others "probably needed a map to get here."



The candidates offered a variety of solutions to dealing with illegal immigration, security and energy concerns.

• McClintock: Illegal immigration is overwhelming the country and a federal fence is necessary. He said the U.S. needs to develop its oil reserves in Alaska and off the California coast, while exploring hydroelectric, coal and nuclear power.

• Brown: Secure borders are paramount and that electronic sensors could do the job, not the military. Alternative energies would get the economy rolling again and those who invest in it will lead that economy.

• Wolfgram: Securing the borders should be Mexico's problem and advocated "signing a treaty" to stop drugs and illegal immigration. Reviving the country's manufacturing base could produce "clean energy" to sell.

• Ose: The border fence should be extended along with more Border Patrol agents. The U.S. needs "a portfolio of sources" for energy, including hydroelectric, wind, nuclear and coal.

• Jones: The borders need to be secured because of the "threat of terrorism." She advocated drilling for oil in U.S. reserves and building more refineries.

• Terbolizard: Immigrants should be treated like brothers and the borders should be kept open for free trade. He said government shouldn't be involved in energy policy. "That should be (handled) by the private sector."

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.



Six candidates are vying for their party's nominations in the race for the 4th Congressional District of California. Campaign contribution numbers are from the Federal Election Commission, as of Wednesday.



n Charlie Brown. The Democrat and retired Air Force officer from Roseville almost beat Congressman John Doolittle in the 2006 election. His campaign has raised $952,000.



n Suzanne Jones. The Republican from Citrus Heights is running for office for the first time. She is an attorney. Her campaign, the latest to start, has raised no money.



n Tom McClintock. The Republican from Southern California has served 19 years in the state Legislature and has worked for taxpayers groups. He has raised almost $316,000.



n Doug Ose. The Republican from the Sacramento area is a former three-term U.S. congressman, a businessman and a developer. He has raised $2.3 million.



n Theodore "Ted" Terbolizard. The Republican from Cedar Ridge ran for governor in the 2003 recall. He is a businessman and Web designer with a rock 'n' roll band, and has raised almost $17,000.



n John Wolfgram. The Democrat from Foresthill is a political writer and a retired lawyer who filed late. He has raised no money.

- Dave Moller