Long Beach City Councilmember Gary Delong
UPDATE August 17, 2011 3:30pm | Councilman Gary DeLong officially announced his candidacy today in a statement emailed moments ago. The complete press release is printed below.
Long Beach City Councilman Gary DeLong officially announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives today in California‚s new 47th Congressional District.’
“I am running for Congress because I want to bring common sense solutions to the partisan gridlock,” said Gary DeLong. We need more people in Congress who will make taxpayers their highest priority, not special interest groups.
Gary DeLong wants to improve economic opportunities for all Americans. “The national debt has surged to over $14.6 trillion, gas prices are at near record highs, food prices are increasing and forty-three cents of every dollar Washington spends is borrowed,” stated DeLong. “We need to restore fiscal sanity to our federal government for the sake of our children.”
Additionally, Councilman DeLong announces the endorsements of former Governor George Deukmejian and Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.
“Gary DeLong is an outstanding public servant who understands the issues and challenges facing his constituents. I am confident he will bring his track record of balancing city budgets to Washington and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely,” stated Governor Deukmejian.
Supervisor Knabe commented on Gary DeLong‚s strong experience in the private sector and in government. „Strong leadership is more essential than ever for our country and Gary DeLong has proven his ability to represent his constituents well,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Gary has more than 30 years of experience in the private sector creating jobs and managing budgets. I know he will work hard to get our economy moving again and our people back to work when he gets to Washington, D.C.,” stated Knabe.
“I am honored to have the trust and support of these two distinguished Californians. As I begin my campaign, I look forward to communicating to voters my plan to bring more fiscal discipline to Washington and strengthen our economy,” said DeLong.
A two-term City Councilman, DeLong serves as chair of Long Beach‚s Budget Oversight Committee. DeLong is committed to fiscal accountability leading the effort to reduce city spending and eliminate waste, while protecting essential services.
Gary DeLong is a third generation Southern Californian who has lived in the Long Beach area for over 25 years. He is currently president of the RTP Group, a Southern California based telecommunications company. DeLong resides in Long Beach with his wife Dawna and daughters Danielle, Elizabeth and Katie.
Delong had advocated for the Citizen’s Redistricting Commission (CRC) to keep all of Long Beach in one Congressional District, instead of it being split between three Congressional districts. Currently, Long Beach’s Third City Council District is split between Democratic Congresswoman Laura Richardson, and Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher.
In July, Councilmember Delong had expressed an interest in running for Congress first to the Long Beach Press Telegram and then to the Grunion Gazette, depending on how the CRC drew a Long Beach based seat. He seems to have gotten his wish as the final map released by the CRC creates a district that encompasses Long Beach, and portions of Orange County. The Orange County cities added to the new district bring with them enough Republican voters to make DeLong competitive next year.
He will run in the new all-candidate primary, with his top opponent expected to be Democratic State Senator Alan Lowenthal.
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Photo Credit: Councilmember Delong’s Facebook page.