Quang Pham Endorses Van Tran for the 47th Congressional District Seat
May/100
Santa Ana – Today, Assemblyman Van Tran is proud to announce receiving an endorsement from Quang Pham, a former opponent in the Republican primary for the race for the 47th Congressional District seat held by Loretta Sanchez.
“I am honored and humbled to receive Quang Pham’s endorsement for my race against Loretta Sanchez,” said Assemblyman Van Tran. “As a long-time friend and Republican team player, Quang’s endorsement shows that collectively, we are committed to defeat Loretta Sanchez. He understands the opportunity we have this year. I cannot understate how important it is for us to come together at this time, and I am really looking forward to working with Quang as we focus on taking back the 47th District.”
Quang Pham is a successful business owner, decorated Marine veteran, and author of “A Sense of Duty: Our Journey from Vietnam to America.” Pham, like Tran, escaped from Vietnam as Saigon fell. Pham and his family came to the United States when he was a child. After graduating from UCLA, Pham joined the Marine Corp, serving as helicopter pilot in both the Persian Gulf and Somalia. Pham returned home and is now founder and CEO of a pharmaceutical data and marketing services company. He has received numerous civic, business and military awards, and was a strong candidate for Congress. Local and national leaders praised Pham for his decision to withdraw from the race in March.
“I am happy to support Van Tran in his race for Congress,” said Quang Pham. “Van’s focus on creating jobs and balancing the federal budget is exactly what we need in Congress. Van has been an historic leader in the local Vietnamese community, working for over twenty years to register voters, educate them about the importance of voting and making sure their voices are heard. I wish him well.”
It is clear that Loretta Sanchez is feeling vulnerable this year. At last month’s Democratic Party convention in California, Nancy Pelosi called for all Democrats to help Loretta this election cycle. In the past decade, the voters from the 47th Congressional District voted for both George W. Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger twice, as well in favor of Proposition 8 in 2008.
With Quang’s endorsement and having raised well over $600,000 Tran’s campaign is building great momentum to face Loretta Sanchez. In addition to Pham, Assemblyman Tran has been endorsed by Senator John McCain, all five Republican Congressmen representing Orange County, the California Republican Assembly and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer’s Association.
Van Tran has a proven record of voting against government waste and overspending. During his tenure as a State Legislator, Tran authored a bill to cut spending on wasteful boards and commissions and has twice donated his unrequested pay raises to charities in his district. He has voted against all of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s overspending budgets. For his commitment to creating jobs, Tran was awarded perfect scores by the National Federation of Independent Business and the California Small Business Association.
The primary election will take place on June 8, 2010 and Assembly Van Tran currently leads all Republican candidates with fundraising and support from community and elected leaders.
Orange County Register: Van Tran and Gov. Pataki Hold Rally To Repeal Obamacare Mandate
May/100
FOUNTAIN VALLEY – A former New York governor stopped in Orange County on Tuesday as part of his 50-state tour to collect 1 million signatures in favor of overturning health care reform legislation.
George Pataki, who held office from 1995 to 2006, (along with Congressional candidate and Assemblyman, Van Tran) collected 54 signatures in a Fountain Valley shopping center parking lot but encouraged the small gathering to take petitions home with them. He hopes a grassroots mobilization will persuade Congress to “repeal and replace” the sweeping legislation passed in March. So far, Pataki said, more than 80,000 signatures have been collected at rallies and revereamerica.org.
“We are not going to let Obamacare stand,” Pataki said. “We need your help.”
Pataki recently started Revere America, which plays off Paul Revere’s warning that the British were coming. More than 230 years later, Pataki said, Americans need to heed the warning that their freedom is in danger. He supports limiting medical malpractice suits and stimulating competition by allowing consumers to buy insurance across state lines.
Terri Bohannan of Fountain Valley had just finished shopping at Albertson’s when she saw a stage and large repeal sign. She drove home so her ice cream wouldn’t melt and returned to sign the petition.
“I’m fired up about this,” said Bohannan, 55, who is insured through her husband’s employer. “I have no one to talk to except screaming at the TV. I feel like everything the government takes away from us; the government fails at.”
A nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation poll conducted last month found that more than half of Americans are confused about the law and don’t know how they will be personally affected. But when asked about 11 provisions of the law taking effect this year, including allowing adult children to remain on their parents’ insurance until age 26, a majority of respondents were supportive.
In 2014, all Americans will be required to carry health insurance and health plans will no longer be allowed to reject anyone based on pre-existing conditions. Government subsidies will be available to those who can’t afford premiums.
James Sivils, 55, said he plans to defy the requirement for coverage. He is unemployed but said he has declined employer-based coverage at previous jobs.
“I pay for my food. I pay for my rent,” said Sivils, who lives in Long Beach. “I certainly don’t like any kind of bureaucracy in Washington, D.C., telling me I have to do this.”
Linda Pasarilla of Placentia said she has attended Tea Party events and wanted to meet like-minded residents.
“I will certainly encourage my friends to sign the petition,” said Pasarilla, 55.
For the OC Register article, click here.
OC Register: Van Tran Has Raised More Money Than Primary Opponents
May/100
Orange County Register: “Tran’s Fundraising Has Dwarfed His Remaining Primary Opponents Through The First Quarter of 2010.”Termed-out state Assemblyman Van Tran was recruited by the Republican Party to take on seven-term incumbent Rep. Loretta Sanchez in the 47th Congressional District…
…At the beginning of the election season, Tran was facing a more formidable opponent – Mission Viejo businessman Quang Pham. Pham had raised $83,753 and put in $212,500 of his own money into his primary bid. But citing personal business concerns, he dropped out of the primary just before the March filing deadline.
Tran’s fundraising has dwarfed his remaining primary opponents through the first quarter of 2010….”
For the complete article CLICK HERE.