Political correspondent Michelle Lecours sat down with 3rd District City Councilman and 47th Congressional District Republican Candidate Gary DeLong in the days leading up to the election to talk about taking constructive criticism, losing time with his kids and why it’s necessary to be a moderate in this District. A few quotes have been excerpted below.

On what kind of candidate is best for the District: “If you look at the demographics of the district, the most likely candidate is a moderate Democrat, someone like Lou Correa from Orange County…I think the second most likely winner is a moderate Republican, which is what I am. The third most likely is a liberal Democrat which is what Alan used to be and is now trying to say he’s more moderate. I think the least likely condidate would be a coastal Orange County conservative Republican. That’s not what this District is.”

On the toughest part of the campaign: “The toughest is time away from your family…”

On negative comments about him that have shown up online: “Do they have a point? If they do, you need to learn from it. If it’s just hatred spewing out, then don’t read it…it’s counter-productive.”

On attack mailers that have gone out: “I have a thick skin so the mailers that come out and distort the truth, that say I increased the council budget when I decreased it, they don’t bother me, but they bother my wife…I tell her don’t worry about it, I know it’s not true. Dont run for office if you’re not prepared to be criticized, don’t serve if you’re not prepared to be criticized…one of the things you have to agree to do is not strike back.”