Peters challenged by six Republicans in 52nd Congressional primary

The 52nd Congressional District, which includes Rancho Bernardo and Poway, has seven candidates in the June 5 primary.

There are six Republicans challenging incumbent Democrat Scott Peters. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will advance to the November runoff.

► Incumbent Rep. Scott Peters, 59, is a La Jolla resident who has lived in San Diego County for 29 years. He is a Democrat.

He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his juris doctorate from New York University School of Law.

Peters has represented California’s 52nd Congressional District since 2013. Before that he served two terms on the San Diego City Council (2000-08), which included a tenure as council president. He was appointed as a commissioner to the San Diego Unified Port District (2009-12), where he also served as its chairman.

If re-elected, this would be Peters’ fourth consecutive term in Congress. His campaign website is at ScottPeters.com.

Peters said he wants to remain in Congress so he can “continue fighting for the issues that San Diegans care about most: a strong economy that brings opportunity to working families; a robust national defense and keeping America’s promises to our veterans; environmental protections to curb climate change and preserve our natural resources; quality, affordable education for every student; and equality and justice for all Americans.”

He said the three greatest issues impacting the district and his solutions are:

• Need for a prosperous economy that gives every American a fair shot — He said this requires supporting San Diego’s innovation economy with investments in scientific research and education plus making it easier for small businesses to thrive.

• Maintaining U.S. security and community safety — “This includes adequately funding for a strong national defense, as well as ensuring that our military families and veterans get the support, benefits and health care that they’ve earned with their sacrifice and service,” Peters said. “We also must reform our nation’s gun safety laws and mental health system to reduce the senseless mass shootings that have stolen too many young lives.”

• The environment — The includes addressing climate change, protecting America’s robust natural resources and keeping our air and water clean, he said.

According to Peters, voters should support him because for nearly two decades San Diegans have trusted him to solve problems by finding common-sense solutions. “I became a member (of) the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013 to bring San Diego’s collaborative approach to Washington to help repair a broken Congress,” he said. “I ran for Congress in 2013 promising to be someone who is willing to reach across the aisle to get things done for San Diego. I believe strongly it’s what the voters want and why they’ve given me the honor of re-electing me twice.”

► Michael Allman, 57, is a Solana Beach resident who has lived in San Diego County for 20 years. He is a Republican.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in business administration with a finance specialization from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is chairman and former CEO of H2scan, Inc. and previously worked for Sempra Energy and Southern California Gas Company.

If elected, this would be Allman’s first political office. His campaign website is at AllmanForCongress.com.

Allman said he wants to represent the 52nd District because “my desire to run for Congress had been building for some time, as I saw what was happening to the Republican Party and to America in general. ... government in Washington is broken. Excessively partisan politics leads to shouting matches and government shutdowns, and little is accomplished. I feel that we can do much better as a nation. Representatives need to truly represent their voters.”

He said the three greatest issues impacting the district and his solutions are:

• Immigration/sanctuary state — He said immigration is a federal issue and states should not be individually involved in immigration policy. Allman said California should not be a sanctuary state and where illegal crossings are easy a wall needs to be built, but in areas where it is difficult natural barriers plus other surveillance is better. He stated support for DACA recipients to have a path to permanent residency, wants merit-based visas and opposes lottery-based visas and chain migration.

• Health care — He wants health insurance separated from health-care services, with insurance being for the healthy and a different funding system for those with pre-existing medical conditions. Allman also wants insurance to be portable, similar to a 401(k) account so it transfers with people if they change jobs. He also wants to fix Medicare. “Insurance should be primarily for catastrophic circumstances, not for day-to-day health issues,” he said.

• Homelessness — He said multiple solutions are needed, including building a better and stronger economy and bringing together public and private organization to provide assistance. The latter includes not only housing, but help with employment, health care, money management and substance-abuse treatment programs.

Allman said voters should support him because “I have lived in San Diego for 20 years and have raised my family here. I am a successful businessman, having led large and small companies to success.” As examples, he cited his 14 years at Sempra Energy and entrepreneur experience with a software startup company.

► Danny Casara, 43, is a Rancho Peñasquitos resident who has lived in San Diego County for almost six years. He is a Republican.

He graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana and is continuing his studies at San Diego State University. He is a retired Army sergeant and Purple Heart recipient.

If elected, this would be Casara’s first political office. His campaign website is at CasaraForCongress.com.

Casara said he wants to represent the 52nd District because “this is the district I live in, go to church in, shop in and have established relationships with citizens in. I want to be the voice for the voiceless and use my passion for people and my ability to communicate to bridge gaps.”

He said the three greatest issues impacting the district and his solutions are:

• Establishing a better relationship with the veterans community — “(I would) continue to build my relationships with my fellow brothers and sisters-in-arms,” he said.

• Lessening regulations on the small-business owner — Casara said he would limit regulations that “plague” small-business owners.

• Immigration — “(I would) support the current administration and build relationships with my colleagues across the aisle to pass immigration reform.”

Casara said voters should support him because “I have served my country proudly and spilled blood on foreign soil for the continued protection of the citizens of our great nation and want to continue serving by representing these citizens.”

► Jeffrey Cullen, M.D., 63, is a La Jolla resident who has lived in San Diego County for four years. He is a Republican.

He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cornell University, his medical degree from Rush Medical College and his Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Chicago. He is an internal medicine doctor.

If elected, this would be Cullen’s first political office. His campaign website is at JeffCullenForCongress.com.

Cullen said he wants to represent the 52nd District so he can “use my experience as a practicing physician, VA medical director and former engineer to address the most important issues in our district.”

When asked to identify the three greatest issues impacting the district, he said they are health care, veterans affairs and infrastructure.

As for his solution, “as a moderate Republican, I would be able to work across the aisle to bring about the needed change in these important areas,” Cullen said.

Cullen said voters should support him because “as a practicing doctor for more than 20 years, a former San Diego VA medical director and a former engineer, I have the knowledge and experience to best address the problems in our district. I believe that I am the most qualified candidate.”

► John Horst, 50, is a Mira Mesa resident who has lived in San Diego County all his life. He is a Republican.

He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Bethel University and is a cyber security engineer. He was a member of the Mira Mesa Community Planning Group for two terms, which included being its secretary (2009-13) and chairman (20013-16). He also served three terms on the Mira Mesa Town Council and was its treasurer.

If elected, this would be Horst’s first political office. He first ran for the 52nd Congressional District seat in 2016. His campaign website is at JohnHorstForCongress.com.

Horst said he wants to represent the 52nd District because “having served two terms on the Mira Mesa Community Planning Group, I have seen up close what our local leaders need from their member of Congress. Working with the former Congressman Brian Bilbray, I successfully led our community in getting Dr. Jonas Salk Elementary School built in Mira Mesa. The issues voters care most about often cross boundaries of various levels of government and need a holistic approach. I want to provide that leadership in Congress as I have in my community.”

He said the three greatest issues impacting the district and his solutions are:

• Homelessness — He called this “a failure of our current model of government engagement.” Horst said, “We have split this problem between cities — housing — and the county — mental health. We need leadership at the local level to push for a Joint Powers Authority to bring these capabilities of government under one roof. Then we need leadership at the national level to route federal funding to this JPA. Then we will be able to spend money effectively to address this problem.”

• The Veterans Administration’s failure to veterans — Horst said it does not matter who the president appoints to lead this department because “we must clear out the bureaucratic rot by putting the entire department back on probation.” Horst added that he has written a bill to fix the situation.

• Immigration — He said the U.S.’ immigration system “is not designed to facilitate immigration, but to perpetuate the immigration bureaucracy. We need to take the administrative portfolio — as opposed to the law enforcement portfolio — of immigration away from government entirely. Communities of interest should be able to form immigration cooperatives under federal charter. When we get the line moving, people will not need to come here illegally.”

Horst said voters should support him because “I am the only candidate ... who has worked at the volunteer level to advocate (for) the communities of the district. I am the candidate with a record of leadership working across all levels of government to solve local problems.”

► Omar Qudrat, 36, lives in downtown San Diego and has lived in San Diego County for 1 1/2 years. He is a Republican.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of California Los Angeles, his juris doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law, a master’s degree in international relations from Syracuse Maxwell School of Public Affairs and a master’s degree in public relations from Syracuse Newhouse School of Communications. He is an attorney, a former terrorism prosecutor and a former U.S. Department of Defense official.

If elected, this would be Qudrat’s first political office. His campaign website is at ElectOmar.com.

Qudrat said he wants to represent the 52nd District because “our Congress urgently needs members who have the political will and the know-how to bring real change. We need people who have skin in the game and are affected by all the national issues we need to solve. ... I lived all the failed policies I’m fighting against. My background is in national security and counterterrorism. I am a native Southern Californian. My family and I were subjected to the failed policies I’m fighting against and we overcame to achieve the American dream. That’s what I want for every San Diegan and every American.”

He said the three greatest issues impacting the district and his solutions are:

• Homeless veterans — “Immediate changes to laws (are needed) to prevent the issues that cause veterans to lose it all over time,” Qudrat said. “(We must) get our veterans/homeless the help they need with more resources from the federal government and private sector investment to help house veterans.”

• Education — He is calling for an increase in technology training to teach students real life skills for the 21st century. Also wants to decrease negative influences on inner city students and at-risk youths in schools through mentorship programs.

• National security and counter terrorism — Quadrat said he has an “innovative and strategic plan” to prevent the U.S.’ enemies before they strike that he developed “after years of service protecting this nation as a counter terrorism prosecutor and official.”

Qudrat said voters should support him because “I have been a fighter my whole life. As a kid, my family and I fought hard against all odds to achieve the American dream. I don’t want any other kids being obstructed by the government from achieving their dreams. I have the life experience, the professional experience, the ideas that can work and the will to fight. My ideas are derived from common sense coupled with innovation. I have the know-how to operate in Congress.”

► James Veltmeyer, M.D., 50, is a La Jolla resident who has lived in San Diego County for 37 years. He is a Republican.

He is a graduate of the University of California San Diego, Ross University School of Medicine and he completed his medical residency at the University of California San Francisco. He is chief of the Department of Family Medicine at Sharp Grossmont Hospital.

If elected, this would be Veltmeyer’s first political office. In 2016 he ran for California’s 53rd Congressional District seat. His campaign website is at VeltmeyerForCongress.com.

Veltmeyer said he wants to represent the 52nd District because “I inherently feel that I have lived the American dream from growing up on the streets homeless in Ecuador to becoming a legalized citizen of the United States to now being a top doctor in San Diego. Congress has become a group of elitists and I want to give back to the constituents ... with responsible leadership. America has given me everything in my life: my family, my career and the opportunity to become successful, and I want to give back to the greatest country in the world that I call home, the United States of America.”

He said the three greatest issues impacting the district and his solutions are:

• Healthcare — He said Obamacare prices are skyrocketing and the insurance industry is profiting. In response, Veltmeyer has developed a healthcare plan called Medical Association Membership where he says “you will again be in control of your health care and at a cost you can afford.”

• Immigration — He said San Diego is “the epicenter of this issue. We can no longer kick the can and must take action in comprehensive immigration reform that not only alleviates the financial burden for American citizens, but (looks) at immigration as a humanitarian issue and a matter of national security. ... Immigration must be addressed in Congress rather than through executive orders.” While securing the borders, he said a fair plan is needed to address the 11 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S.

• Homelessness — Veltmeyer said this is “an issue that hits me at my core. As a homeless child on the streets of Ecuador, I have primary knowledge of this issue. Homelessness is no longer a regional or local issue, but an epidemic crisis we are facing throughout America. Congress must act to provide the opportunity that I was afforded.”

Veltmeyer said voters should support him because “I have lived the American dream from when I first came to America to becoming a top doctor in San Diego County. I have contributed to the health care and well-being of ... thousands of San Diego County residents and now I want to take these experiences to D.C. ... I don’t care for my patients differently due to gender, race or political affiliation, but rather I take care of all of my patients every day equally. I would take this same mentality to Washington to provide real leadership.”