Voters Won’t Go for ‘More of the Same’

As the only formally announced candidate for the 24th congressional district to date, I read with interest your article about a possible opponent in the Republican primary (“Wilson Names Ex-Aide to Park Agency,” Dec. 8). The article seemed to assert that this political appointment might give the gentleman a leg up on the other GOP hopefuls. How’s that, again?

From where the people of the 24th sit, another political appointee is not what voters tell us they want. The more political ties, the more strings, the more of an insider any opponent of ours is, the greater voter mistrust.

I believe that “more of the same” is an approach that will not be supported by the voters in the district. Let’s take the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, where the gentleman from Sacramento was just appointed. It is not lost on the people that when you take private property and transfer it to the public domain, that transaction does not come cost-free. It is ultimately paid by the California taxpayer, who foots the bill every time.

Incidentally, in a recent letter to me from Gov. Pete Wilson’s office, I was told that due to the Republican Party primary being contested, he would not be able to endorse any particular candidate. As to this latest in a string of political appointments, I can only chalk it up to what voters have become justifiably dismayed at--more politics, pure and simple.

Robert K. Hammer

Newbury Park