Recent News Articles
8/31/10
The Anderson Valley Post
- Editorial by Pete Stiglich
Stiglich Urges Reed vs. Herger Debate
Democratic congressional candidate, Jim Reed, recently challenged Congressman Wally Herger (R-CD2) to a series of three debates in the North State. The first two would have occurred in August, one in Yuba City, the other in Chico. The final debate in September would have taken place in Redding. Seemed like a reasonable plan to me.
Holding debates in some of the more populated areas of the congressional district would have afforded voters a pretty convenient opportunity to judge first-hand the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates.
Unfortunately, Wally refused. Instead, his campaign staff suggested a possible October debate.
Anxious to lock in on a firm date, the Reed campaign then, apparently, approached the Chico League of Women Voters to see if they'd be interested in hosting an October debate. They were. A tentative date of October 6th was selected.
Again, seems like a reasonable plan to me.
A debate in early October would most likely garner a lot of voter interest given its close proximity to Election Day, while also taking place well before absentee ballots began showing up in voter mail boxes.
Unfortunately, Wally refused . . . again.
Although still expressing interest in a single October debate, Herger's campaign staff wasn't quite ready to commit to or even seriously discuss a specific date . . . at least not at the moment. You know the old saying, "Don't call us; we'll call you."
Back during the primary congressional campaign, similar efforts were made to schedule debates between myself, the Republican challenger, and the Congressman. All to no avail.
To their credit, the Bostonian Tea Party and Chico League of Women Voters tried to get Wally to participate in their respective debates.
He declined all offers, citing a convenient ‘longstanding policy' preventing him from engaging in political discourse with fellow Republicans.
All personal political considerations aside, candidates seeking elected office should welcome the opportunity to engage in rigorous political debate. In fact, they should pursue it. What better opportunity to showcase one's command of the facts and leadership on critical issues?
I risk being accused of jumping onto the Reed bandwagon by supporting his call for debates. Trust me . . . nothing could be further from the truth. My conservative roots run long and deep. Rather, I've jumped on the bandwagon of folks demanding accountability, honesty, and a healthy command of facts from all those who seek or hold office.
Dare I say, "Let the debates begin."
- Pete Stiglich, Cottonwood
8/8/10
The Record Searchlight - Letter to the Editor by Jim Reed
North State isn't Getting its Share
I appreciated the support of the Record Searchlight in publishing my request for three debates with Wally Herger. Herger’s spokesman indicated that Herger would debate me, but not until October, rather than August and September while Congress is in recess, as I had suggested. The history of Pete Stiglich’s request for a debate is informative; in that case Herger’s spokesman left the possibility of a debate open until the last minute and then issued a response declining a debate, stating that Herger had a policy of not debating fellow Republicans.
Your editorial stated that one of my main issues in the campaign is increasing federal spending in the north state, which, given the conservative district’s overwhelming concern with the runaway deficit, probably will not get much traction. Although this is truly one of the main issues, I do not think the Record Searchlight’s characterization does it justice.
According to a recent survey by Patchwork Nation, aired on the PBS News Hour, Shasta County gets only about half the average federal spending other rural counties across our country receive. Federal spending doesn’t just mean earmarks. It includes Social Security, Medicare, defense, veterans’ benefits, education and farm subsidies. Shasta County is more than $1 billion below the yearly national average, meaning we do not get back our fair share of the federal taxes we pay. That’s something I would change back in Washington.
Shasta County and the other northern counties in the district have a persistent unemployment rate far above the national average. If Shasta County received just average federal spending, it would create enough jobs to reduce the unemployment rate by half. Herger recently signed a pledge that he would no longer request federal money for earmarks in his district. Although this may sound like good politics, it will mean even fewer jobs in Shasta County over time.
I believe the federal budget must be balanced, but I also have the energy and desire to fight in Congress for our fair share. While I have pledged to implement my own “term-limit” of eight years, I am certain I can accomplish more in that time than we have seen from Herger in almost three decades.
7/31/10
The Record Searchlight - Editorial
Editorial - Herger Should Take Challenge to Debate Reed
Would you like a chance to size up Rep. Wally Herger and his Democratic challenger side by side as the November election approaches? What red-blooded American voter wouldn’t?
And Jim Reed, the Fall River Mills lawyer who hopes to oust the 12-term congressman, wants to give 2nd Congressional District residents ample and early opportunities to do so.
Reed has challenged Herger to a series of three debates in August and September around the district — suggesting dates and locations in Yuba City (Aug. 14), Chico (Aug. 23) and Redding (Sept. 9). Conveniently enough, the House of Representatives will recess Monday for its summer vacation — or rather, “summer district work period” — and won’t meet again until mid-September.
Herger often keeps up a busy schedule of town halls and the like during recesses, but he’s not booked up with congressional business in Washington. It shouldn’t be much a stretch to find time to debate his opponent.
Of course, Reed’s motive is obvious. He’s twice run for judge in Shasta County, losing narrowly in 2008, and thanks to those campaigns is at least a vaguely familiar name in the Redding area. In the rest of the sprawling district, which stretches from Woodland to Hornbrook, he’s basically unknown.
Even if he gets his message out, he’ll still have a steep hill to climb. Reed styles himself a moderate Democrat, but the main plank of his campaign is that he’d spend more federal money on rural Northern California. Given the district’s conservative leanings, the motivation of Republicans this year and in particular the heartburn over massive federal deficits, it’s hard to see complaints about inadequate spending gaining traction.
Still, voters can make up their own minds. And they deserve every chance to hear from the candidates firsthand.
Herger’s campaign spokesman, Dave Gilliard, said the congressman is happy to debate his Democratic opponent — in October, after Congress adjourns and voters are more engaged. That might be traditional, but these days, with more and more ballots cast by mail weeks before Election Day, voters are taking a greater interest earlier in the campaign season. Why not accommodate them?
Reed’s laid down a challenge. Congressman Herger should take it up and make the August recess interesting and informative.
7/19/10
Daily Kos by Smileycreek
Worst Congressperson in the World
Just last December, Wally Herger of CA-02 introduced one of his go-nowhere bills that was supposed to ease the pain of homeowner's insurance rates going up as a result of FEMA redrawing the floodplain maps. This affects a great many people along the Sacramento River in northern California's Second District.
I say it was a go-nowhere bill because Herger is famous for his grandstanding political ploys that do nothing for his district. This is how worthless Herger is: His last successsful bill, the Quincy (another small mountain town) Library Act, was 12 years ago. This means that during the eight years of the Bush administration, back when deficits didn't matter, Herger got absolutely nothing helpful done for his district. Zip, zero, nada.
As always, Herger's bill went nowhere, as it was introduced purely for show.
Last week the House passed HR 5114, a flood relief bill that would ease the pain of homeowner's insurance rates going up as a result of FEMA redrawing the floodplain maps.
HERGER VOTED NO ON THE BILL. Why?
Because it was introduced by a Democrat. And Herger votes with the Republican party 96 % of the time. Pretty much the only time he doesn't vote with the Republicans is when he accidentally hits the wrong voting button. That's right-- Herger voted against his own constituents and against the same concept he himself proposed only 7 months earlier because he's the rubber stamp of the Party of No.
Nice work if you can get it, never having to think for yourself. At this point I don't think Wally is even capable of thinking for himself...
7/15/10
Record Searchlight Blog by Bruce Ross
And It's Election Season
Jim Reed's campaign fires what appears to be its first shot across Rep. Wally Herger's bow:
Jim Reed: Wally Herger Either Misunderstands or is Deliberately Distorting Financial Reform Legislation. Redding, California, July 15, 2010 - Banking bailouts have infuriated Democrats and Republicans alike. With the Senate vote happening today America will be one step closer to completing the toughest financial reform bill since the Great Depression, taxpayers won't ever be stuck with bailing out failing banks again. Yet Wally Herger, R-CA-02, who votes with the Republican party 96% of the time, voted against the financial reform bill that passed the House. Herger has grabbed on to Republican talking points in opposing the bill, nonsensically claiming that "Congressional Democrats made bailouts a permanent part of our financial system" by passing financial reform. Herger's opponent, moderate Democrat Jim Reed, said, "Either Herger doesn't understand the law as it's written, or he is deliberately distorting the facts to appeal to his base. I believe Wally has become lazy and lost focus - he simply does what his party leadership tells him to do. The people of the Second District deserve a Congressman who will fight for all of them, Republican, Democrat and Independent alike, not someone who fights against desperately-needed reforms."
Reed affirmed that, despite Herger's distortions, "The Financial Reform bill ends bail-outs." Reed, a small business owner and attorney who holds a Masters Degree in taxation, explained, "The bill creates a separate liquidation fund the banks pay into which ensures that tax-payer funds are not given to distressed banks for bail-outs."
Herger's website claims, "The Dodd-Frank bill failed at its most essential task--to end the era of "too-big-to-fail." Jim Reed noted that Paul Volker, Secretary of the Treasury under both Carter and Reagan, called the reforms "the antithesis of too-big-to-fail" by setting up mechanisms for promptly liquidating failing banks. Only 3 Republican Senators voted for the Brown-Kaufman amendment which would have forced the break-up of the 10 largest banks. "Now that was strong 'too big to fail' medicine," Reed said, noting that Herger did not complain or criticize his Senatorial colleagues' inaction. "Where was Wally then on this issue, if he really felt too-big-to-fail is so important?
7/14/10
Mt. Shasta News by Paul Boerger
Fall River Democrat Challenges Herger
Jim Reed, the Democratic candidate for the Second Congressional District, visited Mount Shasta July 4 to ride in the parade and promote his campaign to unseat incumbent Republican Wally Herger in the November election.
Reed hails from Fall River where he owns a ranch and runs a law practice that boasts 10 employees. According to the campaign website, Reed has an electrical engineering degree, is a licensed private pilot and claims many hours of pro bono legal work for community organizations.
“Wally Herger has gotten lazy,” Reed said while in Mount Shasta for the Fourth of July. “He used to have an organization with offices in the district to help people. Over his 24 years in Congress, it has fallen apart.”
Reed points out that District 2 federal funding falls behind the national average for rural communities.
“The national average is $18,000 per person. District 2 is approximately $13,000. When you take into account the population, that is a difference of $100,000,000,” Reed said. “We need someone in Congress who will represent the interests of the people.”
Reed says that Herger's record shows he votes the Republican party line 94 percent of the time.
“Herger is not representing us,” Reed said. “He is representing the Republican party.”
Reed says he is a fiscal conservative and a moderate on social issues.
“A Republican can vote for me knowing I’ll be working hard,” Reed said.
On Afghanistan, Reed supports President Obama sending more troops and the withdrawal deadline.
“The Afghan government needs to know that we are leaving so they step up and take charge,” Reed said.
On abortion, Reed supports a woman’s right to choose even though he does not like the procedure.
“If a woman asked if she should get an abortion, I would tell her not to,” Reed said. “But I do not have the right to deny her the Constitutional right to chose. I believe that a good education is the best way of avoiding unwanted pregnancies.”
On health care, Reed supports the reforms and the public option.
“Doing nothing was not an option,” Reed said. “The public option would have created needed competition to lower prices.”
Reed said he is still researching the Klamath dams issue.
“We need to come up with a solution that benefits all the stakeholders,” he said.
Reed’s campaign literature includes pointing to Herger’s appearance in Redding where he declared to a professed “proud right wing terrorist,” “Amen, God bless you, there’s a great American.”
“Herger’s comment was very inappropriate,” Reed said.
6/26/10
Record Searchlight by Ryan Sabalow
Wally's Wealth: Herger in Top 10% of House
U.S. Rep. Wally Herger hasn’t felt the financial sting of the Great Recession like many of his constituents.
Although the value of the 65-year-old Chico Republican’s assets took a dip during the financial plunge, he has more assets now than he did in 2004.
According to 2009 financial disclosure statements analyzed by the Record Searchlight, Herger reported between $3 million and $12.1 million of assets.
That’s at least $1 million more than what he reported five years earlier.
In an election year, it’s a figure that invites political posturing from both sides.
To Herger’s Republican base, the wealth is a sign of a man who practices the free enterprise that he preaches, and who understands business. To Democrats, it’s evidence that he’s out of touch.
Herger reported earning between $60,005 and $130,400 of investment income in 2009.
The figures are on top of the minimum $174,000 annual salary each of the 435 voting members of House of Representatives makes each year.
Herger’s other assets
The financial disclosures were posted last week by the Center for Responsive Politics on the congressional watchdog site OpenSecrets.org.
Lawmakers are required to post only general income ranges, so the numbers don’t provide exact figures.
Herger’s family ranch in Rio Oso is valued between $1 million and $5 million. The rental income earned off the ranch was reported at between $50,001 and $100,000. Aside from his family propane business and his real estate holdings, Herger also has between $500,001 and $1 million invested in an annual annuity, from which he collected no income in 2009, according to his financial statements.
The Center for Responsive Politics ranked Herger in 2008 as the 41st-wealthiest member of the House of Representatives. The center hasn’t yet tallied the rankings for 2009.
Herger was unavailable to comment Friday. But spokesman Matt Lavoie said that Herger’s assets are made up primarily of his family’s ranch land and a propane business, which have been in his family for three generations.
As a successful small-business owner, Herger particularly understands the challenges his overtaxed constituents face as they try to build their own businesses and create much-needed jobs in the faltering economy, Lavoie said.
“Congressman Herger is fighting for Northern Californians every day,” Lavoie said by phone from Washington, D.C.
Opponents attack
Many of Herger’s constituents have found their fortunes shrinking as the recession wears on.
In Shasta County, the unemployment rate in May was 15.4 percent, the highest for that month since 1990.
Adjusted for inflation, the U.S. Census Bureau reports the average income in the 2nd Congressional District was around $22,876 in 2008. The same year, Shasta County’s year-over-year income growth was the lowest it had been in a decade, according to federal income figures.
Herger is running for his 13th term in office, after having served 23 years in Congress. He’ll face off in November in the overwhelmingly Republican district against Democrat Jim Reed.
Herger’s Democrat critics suggested his wealth puts him out of touch with the needs of his constituents.
“He started out saying he was this poor, little farmer,” said Ann Nelson, a member of the Shasta County Democratic Central Committee.
Reed responds
Reed, a lawyer who in 2008 ran an unsuccessful campaign for Shasta County Superior Court judge, would say only that his assets total less than $1 million.
“I’m not in the same ballpark” as Herger, he said, “Let’s put it that way.”
Reed owns a ranch in Fall River Mills. He also has law office there and in Lafayette, in the San Francisco Bay area.
His campaign website says he loves to fly, and he owns his own airplane. Reed said his law practice has taken a hit in the Great Recession.
He suggested Herger can do more.
“Maybe because he isn’t feeling the pain or it’s because he’s tired or he’s getting old or lazy or whatever it is ... but he’s not working hard to bring money into his district like he should be,” Reed said...
6/4/10
Herger STILL Promotes Offshore Drilling Because It “Won’t Hurt Environment”
Taken directly from Wally Herger’s website Here.
“In my view, putting our energy security in the hands of volatile regimes around the world is simply irresponsible from an economic and security standpoint. I've long supported efforts to allow for the exploration of oil and natural gas in a small section of the frozen "ANWR" tundra in Alaska. ANWR spans nearly 20 million acres, but energy exploration would only occur on 2,000 acres, or .01 percent of the land area. And importantly, 21st Century technology would also allow us to recover energy resources without harming the environment. Energy exploration in ANWR is conservatively estimated to be able to produce 1 million additional barrels of oil per year - about the same amount we now import from Hugo Chavez's Venezuela. In addition, America's offshore resources could prove even more beneficial than ANWR, with estimates coming in at up to 115 billion barrels.” – Wally Herger
6/3/10
AppealDemocrat.com by Howard Yune
Herger's 12 Term Tenure Questioned
Nearing a quarter-century in Congress, Wally Herger is upholding his legislative experience against two challengers arguing his long tenure has become a liability. The Chico Republican and Rio Oso native is seeking a 13th term in the House while facing Pete Stiglich in the GOP primary on Tuesday. The primary winner will run in the November general election against Democrat Jim Reed, the party's only candidate in the race for the 2nd District.
Herger defended his work battling expanded federal spending, including his introduction of a bill last week seeking to repeal the new health care overhaul meant to expand coverage but also require insurance policies for most Americans. He pointed to his seat on the House Ways and Means Committee — with jurisdiction over health care, taxes and Social Security — as a valuable platform to advance the fight.
"The question is whether or not you're going along with the status quo in Washington, and I think I'm clearly fighting to change it," he said Thursday by telephone from Redding. The committee seats "help me be in position to lead the fight to return government to the people. A freshman would have a lot more difficulty being effective, even if they're trying to do the right thing."
However, Stiglich, a retired Air Force colonel from Cottonwood, decried the congressman's support of expanded Medicare coverage of prescription drugs and a $700 billion bank rescue package in 2008 — which Herger conceded he made against heavy Mid-Valley opposition — and pledged to wage a fiercer fight to curb federal spending if elected.
"He hasn't been challenged in years and it's a healthy thing for the party and the nation to hold folks accountable," Stiglich said Tuesday. "What I'm challenging is his lack of leadership. You're hard-pressed when you try to discover things he has done of any significance in the last 10 years in new legislation, or reining in the growth of government.
"More than ever, we need strong conservatives in Washington, not just backbenchers. I don't think he has the energy or stamina to do that anymore," Stiglich said.
The lone Democrat facing Herger, Reed promised a moderate course, balancing support for gun owners' rights, curbs on executive pay over $1 million, and efforts to steer more federal money to Shasta County and other North State areas that traditionally have received below-average funding for health and social services.
Reed called such unwillingness to cross the party lines Herger's greatest weakness.
"In 24 years, he's voted the GOP line 94 percent of the time; I've seen that instead of representing the people he's representing the party," the Fall River Mills lawyer said Wednesday. "If you're voting that high a percentage on party lines, you're not truly representing the people."
Should either of Herger's opponents prevail this year or in the future, both have promised shorter Congressional careers — no more than a decade for Reed and six years for Stiglich...
5/17/10
Red Bluff Daily News by Richard Mazzucchi
Positive Point: Wally's World Vs. Real World
Wally Herger says: In keeping with what seems to be an all-too-familiar occurrence in Washington these days, Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman defied public opinion by unveiling legislation to impose a damaging cap and trade' scheme to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The so-called American Power Act' is yet another 1,000-page piece of legislation that would dramatically raise energy prices, kill jobs, and stifle our economic growth with a damaging new tax on the American people.
Reality suggests: The time has come for humans of all nationalities to realize the consequences of industrialization and extensive combustion of fossil fuels on our environment....
Come next November it will be time to retire the likes of Mr. Herger from government service by electing new representatives to act responsibly and aggressively to address our local and global environmental imperatives, and seize opportunities to build new industries and ways of doing business that will ensure American competitiveness and productivity serving the needs of our evolved society. I encourage everyone to examine the platform of the progressive democratic caucus at www.progressivecaucuscdp.org and the skills of candidate James Reed at www.reednow.com before rewarding Mr. Herger for his apparent lack of concern about our planet and inability to help us secure a sustainable future....
5/13/10
Record Searchlight by Scott Mobley
Herger Challenged by Democrat, Republican in Race for Congress
Congressman Wally Herger, R-Chico, will face challenges this year from the moderate left and the rigorous right.
Herger, 64, has represented the reliably Republican 10-county 2nd Congressional District for nearly 24 years. He sits on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means, a gatekeeper for federal spending. Herger has voted with his party colleagues 96 percent of the time during the current Congress, according to a Washington Post analysis.
Opponents say Herger has too little to show for all his years in office. The north state is long overdue for a leadership change, they say....
Jim Reed, a Fall River Mills attorney, has criticized Herger for not bringing enough earmarks and other federal funding to rural interior Northern California.
Reed will run unopposed in the Democratic primary June 8 to face Herger or Stiglich in November.
Reed, 59, supports Obama administration stimulus spending for the economy, strong banking regulation, tax code simplification and higher taxes on incomes over $250,000.
He’s also a green energy proponent who believes laser-ignited fusion will render oil drilling and nuclear fission obsolete within a decade.
Reed grants that Republicans outnumber Democrats by 8 percent throughout the 2nd Congressional District. But decline-to-state voters are 20 percent of the electorate and could swing an election in his favor, he said.
Reed said he’s no fan of earmarks, and would happily see that style of pork barrel spending eliminated. But as long as earmarks are the coin of the realm in Washington, a congressional representative should bring the money home, Reed said.
Reed cited a recent study claiming Shasta County residents receive only $10,000 per person per year in federal spending, compared to an average of $18,000 per person in other rural counties nationwide. He estimates that north state unemployment would be 5 percent lower if the federal government spent as much here as it does elsewhere.
“Wally gets $174,000 a year for being a congressman,” Reed said. “He doesn’t lose anything by failing to go after the money. It’s the people in his district who suffer.
5/12/10
Progressive News Daily
Interview with Jim Reed
The 2010 Congressional election in California is heating up. The June Primary sees an opponent in the Republican Party for incumbent Republican Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA2).
But THE person to take into consideration for both Republicans and Democrats is Democratic Candidate Jim Reed.
Our sister site, Progressive News Radio, currently has an interview with candidate Reed that you can listen to in mp3 format, either on the site or by downloading the program.
Jim Reed discusses his positions on abortion, gun control and what’s not only needed for the Second Congressional District in California, but what he thinks needs to change for the country.
Wally Herger, the incumbent Republican drew attention last fall when a constituent spoke up at a “town hall meeting” and said that he was “proud to be a right wing terrorist. (Video Below)....
Letter to the Editor
by Neil Posson, Mt. Shasta
Wally Herger is the U.S. Congressman representing our district and has
done so for 24 years. In 24 years Herger has never written a bill that
has been passed into law, has never been the chair of any important
committee and does not seem to have brought any significant grants or
projects to our district. Herger is a strong supporter of continuing the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but neither he nor any of his nine children
have ever served in the military. In a town hall meeting in Redding when
a spectator described himself as “ a proud right wing terrorist “ Herger
stated “God bless you. There goes a great American”. Timothy McVeigh was
a proud right wing terrorist.
Wally Herger is paid $174,000 per year plus benefits of tax payer
money. For this Herger has done basically nothing for us. We need to
hold our elected officials accountable for what they have done, or in
Herger’s case for what he has not done. The only time we see or hear from
Herger is when he wants to get re-elected. Herger is wasting our taxes and
political power. I recommend we vote Herger out of office. We deserve
better.
03/31/10
Chico Enterprise Record by Quentin Colgan
Letter: Herger Misses a Chance to Help
What did Wally Herger have to say in his constituents' behalf when it came to controlling runaway costs and protecting their hard-earned resources in these tough times?
Herger said, "No."
Which isn't too surprising.
When told that some reform would be needed to keep 50 of his constituents from dying every year due to the overarching greed inherent in our health care system, Herger said, "No."
When asked if he would stop taking thousands and thousands of dollars from the health care industry and instead represent the people of his district, Herger said, "No..."
When you refuse to participate, you are not representing your constituents. You are not doing the job you were elected to do.
Thanks for nothing, Herger.
03/29/10
Chico Enterprise Record by Maria Phillips
Letter: Herger Stands in Way of Change
Tuesday morning's E-R contained two articles on the just-voted on health care reform: One of them reported on potential gains and deficits (when they will kick in and/or manifest themselves); the other reported on reactions to the bill by local interested parties. Both articles were instructive, even-handed, and I felt appropriately enlightened (what I'm looking for when I read reports on experts' views). All good until I got to Wally Herger's script.
His tired view is of a dark, bad road paved and graded by big government (who's been paying his salary and health insurance for a quarter century) and filled with "bureaucrats [who] take the place of doctors" and will take away our "individual freedoms" and our money.
My view is that he's standing in the way of the light and hoping we won't be able to see around him to find our way out of the morass that our greedy for-profit insurance industry has set us in. He needs to get out of the way.
Please begin to think about voting for Jim Reed, the reasonable alternative from Shasta County. He's running not as a career politician funded by the insurance companies but as a principled individual whose life experience has prepared him to serve as our representative able to lead us out of the morass. He'll do it with intelligence and class and, unlike Herger, he won't fan the flames of extremism.
03/02/10
Chico Enterprise Record by Robert Woods
Letter: Bring Back Sensible Government
I read in the newspaper that one of Congressman Wally Herger's beloved "right-wing terrorists" has crashed his airplane into a federal building in Austin, Texas. Seems a bit reminiscent of Timothy McVeigh blowing up a federal building in Oklahoma City some years back. These right-wingers play for keeps, though often take the coward's way out by killing themselves in the process. Wally Herger may love the extreme conservatives but if we're ever going to get anything done in Congress for the American people we must replace Herger with someone better qualified for the job.
Recently a Democrat from the small town of Fall River Mills in Shasta County filed for the office in the coming election, and bears a second look. Jim Reed is a seasoned lawyer who knows his way around the courtroom and knows the issues that are important in the north state. He could help the Obama administration get us a decent health care plan as well as more jobs and a cleaner environment.
Once we had a Democratic congressman and senator named Clair Engle from Tehama County.
He called himself "an old apple knocker from Manton," and helped pass vital legislation in the 1960s.
Jim Reed might be the person to lead us back to sensible government. Let's listen to the man.
02/27/10
The Record Searchlight Editorial
GOP Stimulus Complaints are Pure Politics
Republican politicians, including the north state's Rep. Wally Herger, have staked immense political energy on attacking last year's federal stimulus program, one of President Barack Obama's signature early initiatives. When they turn around and help constituents bring home a share of it, the hypocrisy is too palpable to ignore....
Where Herger goes off-track, though, is in his simplistic, knee-jerk opposition to all things stimulus - a position that shifts depending on who's in the White House...
02/18/10
The Record Searchlight
Lively Opening Volley Starts Political Year
Jones Valley resident Bert Stead's declaration at a town hall meeting last summer that he was "a proud right-wing terrorist" was a joke, though liberals didn't appreciate the humor.
But Democrats hope to laugh all the way to the bank this election year. They've recycled the crack and especially Rep. Wally Herger's amused reply that Stead was "a great American" into a fundraising mailer, seeking donations to Democrat Jim Reed's campaign against the longtime Republican congressman...
02/18/10
Chico's NewsReview.com
Opinions - Politics Beat
It just so happens that this 89-year-old lady has been following Wally [Herger] for a good many years, having come to Redding in ’78. Whatever the Tea Partiers are about, they’ve got one thing right: Twenty-three years of letting the country down is enough.
Wally’s favorite stunt is showing how little he cares about the Constitution he took an oath to uphold by ignoring the question and changing the subject. He’s a smart politician with a nice smile, but that’s not why he was elected to office. Obama got one thing right: It’s time for change—but in the right direction, of course!
Incidentally, who voted for NAFTA, TARP, most-favored nation for China? You guessed it! Mr. Herger.
(Mrs.) Dorothy Robbins
Shasta
02/15/10
The Record Searchlight by Ryan Sabalow
Democrat's Talking Mailer Blasts Herger
"Jim Reed, a Democratic challenger running against longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Wally Herger, has sent out 2,500 mailers that when opened, play audio recordings of Herger lauding a man who called himself “proud right-wing terrorist.”
Reed’s campaign manager, Crystal Martin, said this morning that using the audio mailers — similar to greeting cards that play songs when they’re opened — is a first of its kind in national politics.
The mailer includes a recording of Bert Stead, 67, of Redding calling himself “a proud, right-wing terrorist” at a Redding town hall meeting in August and Herger’s response:
“Amen. God bless you. There’s a great American.”
The recording also plays audio from liberal TV commentator Keith Olbermann, who called Herger “Worst Person in the World” on his MSNBC “Countdown” show after the remarks went national thanks to the video being placed on YouTube..."
02/13/10
DailyKos.com
"Talking Mailpiece" Blasts Right Wing Terrorists
"(From the diaries. This is definitely a great campaign innovation, and used to fantastic effect given the subject matter it features -- kos)
Today I opened up what I thought would be an ordinary campaign mailer, only to hear the voice of our infamous local Republican Congressman Wally Herger, CA-02, praising a self-proclaimed "Right Wing Terrorist" as a "Great American...'"
11/05/09
Chico News & Review by Tom Gascoyne
Wally’s World: Catching up with our congressman after a summer of town-hall craziness
"This past summer, for the first time in the 23 years he’s represented the 2nd Congressional District, Wally Herger, a genial and predictably conservative but heretofore obscure Republican, was thrust into the national media spotlight for a comment he made Aug. 18 during a town-hall meeting on health-care reform..."
The Anderson Valley Post
- Editorial by Pete Stiglich
Stiglich Urges Reed vs. Herger Debate
Democratic congressional candidate, Jim Reed, recently challenged Congressman Wally Herger (R-CD2) to a series of three debates in the North State. The first two would have occurred in August, one in Yuba City, the other in Chico. The final debate in September would have taken place in Redding. Seemed like a reasonable plan to me.
Holding debates in some of the more populated areas of the congressional district would have afforded voters a pretty convenient opportunity to judge first-hand the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates.
Unfortunately, Wally refused. Instead, his campaign staff suggested a possible October debate.
Anxious to lock in on a firm date, the Reed campaign then, apparently, approached the Chico League of Women Voters to see if they'd be interested in hosting an October debate. They were. A tentative date of October 6th was selected.
Again, seems like a reasonable plan to me.
A debate in early October would most likely garner a lot of voter interest given its close proximity to Election Day, while also taking place well before absentee ballots began showing up in voter mail boxes.
Unfortunately, Wally refused . . . again.
Although still expressing interest in a single October debate, Herger's campaign staff wasn't quite ready to commit to or even seriously discuss a specific date . . . at least not at the moment. You know the old saying, "Don't call us; we'll call you."
Back during the primary congressional campaign, similar efforts were made to schedule debates between myself, the Republican challenger, and the Congressman. All to no avail.
To their credit, the Bostonian Tea Party and Chico League of Women Voters tried to get Wally to participate in their respective debates.
He declined all offers, citing a convenient ‘longstanding policy' preventing him from engaging in political discourse with fellow Republicans.
All personal political considerations aside, candidates seeking elected office should welcome the opportunity to engage in rigorous political debate. In fact, they should pursue it. What better opportunity to showcase one's command of the facts and leadership on critical issues?
I risk being accused of jumping onto the Reed bandwagon by supporting his call for debates. Trust me . . . nothing could be further from the truth. My conservative roots run long and deep. Rather, I've jumped on the bandwagon of folks demanding accountability, honesty, and a healthy command of facts from all those who seek or hold office.
Dare I say, "Let the debates begin."
- Pete Stiglich, Cottonwood
8/8/10
The Record Searchlight - Letter to the Editor by Jim Reed
North State isn't Getting its Share
I appreciated the support of the Record Searchlight in publishing my request for three debates with Wally Herger. Herger’s spokesman indicated that Herger would debate me, but not until October, rather than August and September while Congress is in recess, as I had suggested. The history of Pete Stiglich’s request for a debate is informative; in that case Herger’s spokesman left the possibility of a debate open until the last minute and then issued a response declining a debate, stating that Herger had a policy of not debating fellow Republicans.
Your editorial stated that one of my main issues in the campaign is increasing federal spending in the north state, which, given the conservative district’s overwhelming concern with the runaway deficit, probably will not get much traction. Although this is truly one of the main issues, I do not think the Record Searchlight’s characterization does it justice.
According to a recent survey by Patchwork Nation, aired on the PBS News Hour, Shasta County gets only about half the average federal spending other rural counties across our country receive. Federal spending doesn’t just mean earmarks. It includes Social Security, Medicare, defense, veterans’ benefits, education and farm subsidies. Shasta County is more than $1 billion below the yearly national average, meaning we do not get back our fair share of the federal taxes we pay. That’s something I would change back in Washington.
Shasta County and the other northern counties in the district have a persistent unemployment rate far above the national average. If Shasta County received just average federal spending, it would create enough jobs to reduce the unemployment rate by half. Herger recently signed a pledge that he would no longer request federal money for earmarks in his district. Although this may sound like good politics, it will mean even fewer jobs in Shasta County over time.
I believe the federal budget must be balanced, but I also have the energy and desire to fight in Congress for our fair share. While I have pledged to implement my own “term-limit” of eight years, I am certain I can accomplish more in that time than we have seen from Herger in almost three decades.
7/31/10
The Record Searchlight - Editorial
Editorial - Herger Should Take Challenge to Debate Reed
Would you like a chance to size up Rep. Wally Herger and his Democratic challenger side by side as the November election approaches? What red-blooded American voter wouldn’t?
And Jim Reed, the Fall River Mills lawyer who hopes to oust the 12-term congressman, wants to give 2nd Congressional District residents ample and early opportunities to do so.
Reed has challenged Herger to a series of three debates in August and September around the district — suggesting dates and locations in Yuba City (Aug. 14), Chico (Aug. 23) and Redding (Sept. 9). Conveniently enough, the House of Representatives will recess Monday for its summer vacation — or rather, “summer district work period” — and won’t meet again until mid-September.
Herger often keeps up a busy schedule of town halls and the like during recesses, but he’s not booked up with congressional business in Washington. It shouldn’t be much a stretch to find time to debate his opponent.
Of course, Reed’s motive is obvious. He’s twice run for judge in Shasta County, losing narrowly in 2008, and thanks to those campaigns is at least a vaguely familiar name in the Redding area. In the rest of the sprawling district, which stretches from Woodland to Hornbrook, he’s basically unknown.
Even if he gets his message out, he’ll still have a steep hill to climb. Reed styles himself a moderate Democrat, but the main plank of his campaign is that he’d spend more federal money on rural Northern California. Given the district’s conservative leanings, the motivation of Republicans this year and in particular the heartburn over massive federal deficits, it’s hard to see complaints about inadequate spending gaining traction.
Still, voters can make up their own minds. And they deserve every chance to hear from the candidates firsthand.
Herger’s campaign spokesman, Dave Gilliard, said the congressman is happy to debate his Democratic opponent — in October, after Congress adjourns and voters are more engaged. That might be traditional, but these days, with more and more ballots cast by mail weeks before Election Day, voters are taking a greater interest earlier in the campaign season. Why not accommodate them?
Reed’s laid down a challenge. Congressman Herger should take it up and make the August recess interesting and informative.
7/19/10
Daily Kos by Smileycreek
Worst Congressperson in the World
Just last December, Wally Herger of CA-02 introduced one of his go-nowhere bills that was supposed to ease the pain of homeowner's insurance rates going up as a result of FEMA redrawing the floodplain maps. This affects a great many people along the Sacramento River in northern California's Second District.
I say it was a go-nowhere bill because Herger is famous for his grandstanding political ploys that do nothing for his district. This is how worthless Herger is: His last successsful bill, the Quincy (another small mountain town) Library Act, was 12 years ago. This means that during the eight years of the Bush administration, back when deficits didn't matter, Herger got absolutely nothing helpful done for his district. Zip, zero, nada.
As always, Herger's bill went nowhere, as it was introduced purely for show.
Last week the House passed HR 5114, a flood relief bill that would ease the pain of homeowner's insurance rates going up as a result of FEMA redrawing the floodplain maps.
HERGER VOTED NO ON THE BILL. Why?
Because it was introduced by a Democrat. And Herger votes with the Republican party 96 % of the time. Pretty much the only time he doesn't vote with the Republicans is when he accidentally hits the wrong voting button. That's right-- Herger voted against his own constituents and against the same concept he himself proposed only 7 months earlier because he's the rubber stamp of the Party of No.
Nice work if you can get it, never having to think for yourself. At this point I don't think Wally is even capable of thinking for himself...
7/15/10
Record Searchlight Blog by Bruce Ross
And It's Election Season
Jim Reed's campaign fires what appears to be its first shot across Rep. Wally Herger's bow:
Jim Reed: Wally Herger Either Misunderstands or is Deliberately Distorting Financial Reform Legislation. Redding, California, July 15, 2010 - Banking bailouts have infuriated Democrats and Republicans alike. With the Senate vote happening today America will be one step closer to completing the toughest financial reform bill since the Great Depression, taxpayers won't ever be stuck with bailing out failing banks again. Yet Wally Herger, R-CA-02, who votes with the Republican party 96% of the time, voted against the financial reform bill that passed the House. Herger has grabbed on to Republican talking points in opposing the bill, nonsensically claiming that "Congressional Democrats made bailouts a permanent part of our financial system" by passing financial reform. Herger's opponent, moderate Democrat Jim Reed, said, "Either Herger doesn't understand the law as it's written, or he is deliberately distorting the facts to appeal to his base. I believe Wally has become lazy and lost focus - he simply does what his party leadership tells him to do. The people of the Second District deserve a Congressman who will fight for all of them, Republican, Democrat and Independent alike, not someone who fights against desperately-needed reforms."
Reed affirmed that, despite Herger's distortions, "The Financial Reform bill ends bail-outs." Reed, a small business owner and attorney who holds a Masters Degree in taxation, explained, "The bill creates a separate liquidation fund the banks pay into which ensures that tax-payer funds are not given to distressed banks for bail-outs."
Herger's website claims, "The Dodd-Frank bill failed at its most essential task--to end the era of "too-big-to-fail." Jim Reed noted that Paul Volker, Secretary of the Treasury under both Carter and Reagan, called the reforms "the antithesis of too-big-to-fail" by setting up mechanisms for promptly liquidating failing banks. Only 3 Republican Senators voted for the Brown-Kaufman amendment which would have forced the break-up of the 10 largest banks. "Now that was strong 'too big to fail' medicine," Reed said, noting that Herger did not complain or criticize his Senatorial colleagues' inaction. "Where was Wally then on this issue, if he really felt too-big-to-fail is so important?
7/14/10
Mt. Shasta News by Paul Boerger
Fall River Democrat Challenges Herger
Jim Reed, the Democratic candidate for the Second Congressional District, visited Mount Shasta July 4 to ride in the parade and promote his campaign to unseat incumbent Republican Wally Herger in the November election.
Reed hails from Fall River where he owns a ranch and runs a law practice that boasts 10 employees. According to the campaign website, Reed has an electrical engineering degree, is a licensed private pilot and claims many hours of pro bono legal work for community organizations.
“Wally Herger has gotten lazy,” Reed said while in Mount Shasta for the Fourth of July. “He used to have an organization with offices in the district to help people. Over his 24 years in Congress, it has fallen apart.”
Reed points out that District 2 federal funding falls behind the national average for rural communities.
“The national average is $18,000 per person. District 2 is approximately $13,000. When you take into account the population, that is a difference of $100,000,000,” Reed said. “We need someone in Congress who will represent the interests of the people.”
Reed says that Herger's record shows he votes the Republican party line 94 percent of the time.
“Herger is not representing us,” Reed said. “He is representing the Republican party.”
Reed says he is a fiscal conservative and a moderate on social issues.
“A Republican can vote for me knowing I’ll be working hard,” Reed said.
On Afghanistan, Reed supports President Obama sending more troops and the withdrawal deadline.
“The Afghan government needs to know that we are leaving so they step up and take charge,” Reed said.
On abortion, Reed supports a woman’s right to choose even though he does not like the procedure.
“If a woman asked if she should get an abortion, I would tell her not to,” Reed said. “But I do not have the right to deny her the Constitutional right to chose. I believe that a good education is the best way of avoiding unwanted pregnancies.”
On health care, Reed supports the reforms and the public option.
“Doing nothing was not an option,” Reed said. “The public option would have created needed competition to lower prices.”
Reed said he is still researching the Klamath dams issue.
“We need to come up with a solution that benefits all the stakeholders,” he said.
Reed’s campaign literature includes pointing to Herger’s appearance in Redding where he declared to a professed “proud right wing terrorist,” “Amen, God bless you, there’s a great American.”
“Herger’s comment was very inappropriate,” Reed said.
6/26/10
Record Searchlight by Ryan Sabalow
Wally's Wealth: Herger in Top 10% of House
U.S. Rep. Wally Herger hasn’t felt the financial sting of the Great Recession like many of his constituents.
Although the value of the 65-year-old Chico Republican’s assets took a dip during the financial plunge, he has more assets now than he did in 2004.
According to 2009 financial disclosure statements analyzed by the Record Searchlight, Herger reported between $3 million and $12.1 million of assets.
That’s at least $1 million more than what he reported five years earlier.
In an election year, it’s a figure that invites political posturing from both sides.
To Herger’s Republican base, the wealth is a sign of a man who practices the free enterprise that he preaches, and who understands business. To Democrats, it’s evidence that he’s out of touch.
Herger reported earning between $60,005 and $130,400 of investment income in 2009.
The figures are on top of the minimum $174,000 annual salary each of the 435 voting members of House of Representatives makes each year.
Herger’s other assets
The financial disclosures were posted last week by the Center for Responsive Politics on the congressional watchdog site OpenSecrets.org.
Lawmakers are required to post only general income ranges, so the numbers don’t provide exact figures.
Herger’s family ranch in Rio Oso is valued between $1 million and $5 million. The rental income earned off the ranch was reported at between $50,001 and $100,000. Aside from his family propane business and his real estate holdings, Herger also has between $500,001 and $1 million invested in an annual annuity, from which he collected no income in 2009, according to his financial statements.
The Center for Responsive Politics ranked Herger in 2008 as the 41st-wealthiest member of the House of Representatives. The center hasn’t yet tallied the rankings for 2009.
Herger was unavailable to comment Friday. But spokesman Matt Lavoie said that Herger’s assets are made up primarily of his family’s ranch land and a propane business, which have been in his family for three generations.
As a successful small-business owner, Herger particularly understands the challenges his overtaxed constituents face as they try to build their own businesses and create much-needed jobs in the faltering economy, Lavoie said.
“Congressman Herger is fighting for Northern Californians every day,” Lavoie said by phone from Washington, D.C.
Opponents attack
Many of Herger’s constituents have found their fortunes shrinking as the recession wears on.
In Shasta County, the unemployment rate in May was 15.4 percent, the highest for that month since 1990.
Adjusted for inflation, the U.S. Census Bureau reports the average income in the 2nd Congressional District was around $22,876 in 2008. The same year, Shasta County’s year-over-year income growth was the lowest it had been in a decade, according to federal income figures.
Herger is running for his 13th term in office, after having served 23 years in Congress. He’ll face off in November in the overwhelmingly Republican district against Democrat Jim Reed.
Herger’s Democrat critics suggested his wealth puts him out of touch with the needs of his constituents.
“He started out saying he was this poor, little farmer,” said Ann Nelson, a member of the Shasta County Democratic Central Committee.
Reed responds
Reed, a lawyer who in 2008 ran an unsuccessful campaign for Shasta County Superior Court judge, would say only that his assets total less than $1 million.
“I’m not in the same ballpark” as Herger, he said, “Let’s put it that way.”
Reed owns a ranch in Fall River Mills. He also has law office there and in Lafayette, in the San Francisco Bay area.
His campaign website says he loves to fly, and he owns his own airplane. Reed said his law practice has taken a hit in the Great Recession.
He suggested Herger can do more.
“Maybe because he isn’t feeling the pain or it’s because he’s tired or he’s getting old or lazy or whatever it is ... but he’s not working hard to bring money into his district like he should be,” Reed said...
6/4/10
Herger STILL Promotes Offshore Drilling Because It “Won’t Hurt Environment”
Taken directly from Wally Herger’s website Here.
“In my view, putting our energy security in the hands of volatile regimes around the world is simply irresponsible from an economic and security standpoint. I've long supported efforts to allow for the exploration of oil and natural gas in a small section of the frozen "ANWR" tundra in Alaska. ANWR spans nearly 20 million acres, but energy exploration would only occur on 2,000 acres, or .01 percent of the land area. And importantly, 21st Century technology would also allow us to recover energy resources without harming the environment. Energy exploration in ANWR is conservatively estimated to be able to produce 1 million additional barrels of oil per year - about the same amount we now import from Hugo Chavez's Venezuela. In addition, America's offshore resources could prove even more beneficial than ANWR, with estimates coming in at up to 115 billion barrels.” – Wally Herger
6/3/10
AppealDemocrat.com by Howard Yune
Herger's 12 Term Tenure Questioned
Nearing a quarter-century in Congress, Wally Herger is upholding his legislative experience against two challengers arguing his long tenure has become a liability. The Chico Republican and Rio Oso native is seeking a 13th term in the House while facing Pete Stiglich in the GOP primary on Tuesday. The primary winner will run in the November general election against Democrat Jim Reed, the party's only candidate in the race for the 2nd District.
Herger defended his work battling expanded federal spending, including his introduction of a bill last week seeking to repeal the new health care overhaul meant to expand coverage but also require insurance policies for most Americans. He pointed to his seat on the House Ways and Means Committee — with jurisdiction over health care, taxes and Social Security — as a valuable platform to advance the fight.
"The question is whether or not you're going along with the status quo in Washington, and I think I'm clearly fighting to change it," he said Thursday by telephone from Redding. The committee seats "help me be in position to lead the fight to return government to the people. A freshman would have a lot more difficulty being effective, even if they're trying to do the right thing."
However, Stiglich, a retired Air Force colonel from Cottonwood, decried the congressman's support of expanded Medicare coverage of prescription drugs and a $700 billion bank rescue package in 2008 — which Herger conceded he made against heavy Mid-Valley opposition — and pledged to wage a fiercer fight to curb federal spending if elected.
"He hasn't been challenged in years and it's a healthy thing for the party and the nation to hold folks accountable," Stiglich said Tuesday. "What I'm challenging is his lack of leadership. You're hard-pressed when you try to discover things he has done of any significance in the last 10 years in new legislation, or reining in the growth of government.
"More than ever, we need strong conservatives in Washington, not just backbenchers. I don't think he has the energy or stamina to do that anymore," Stiglich said.
The lone Democrat facing Herger, Reed promised a moderate course, balancing support for gun owners' rights, curbs on executive pay over $1 million, and efforts to steer more federal money to Shasta County and other North State areas that traditionally have received below-average funding for health and social services.
Reed called such unwillingness to cross the party lines Herger's greatest weakness.
"In 24 years, he's voted the GOP line 94 percent of the time; I've seen that instead of representing the people he's representing the party," the Fall River Mills lawyer said Wednesday. "If you're voting that high a percentage on party lines, you're not truly representing the people."
Should either of Herger's opponents prevail this year or in the future, both have promised shorter Congressional careers — no more than a decade for Reed and six years for Stiglich...
5/17/10
Red Bluff Daily News by Richard Mazzucchi
Positive Point: Wally's World Vs. Real World
Wally Herger says: In keeping with what seems to be an all-too-familiar occurrence in Washington these days, Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman defied public opinion by unveiling legislation to impose a damaging cap and trade' scheme to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The so-called American Power Act' is yet another 1,000-page piece of legislation that would dramatically raise energy prices, kill jobs, and stifle our economic growth with a damaging new tax on the American people.
Reality suggests: The time has come for humans of all nationalities to realize the consequences of industrialization and extensive combustion of fossil fuels on our environment....
Come next November it will be time to retire the likes of Mr. Herger from government service by electing new representatives to act responsibly and aggressively to address our local and global environmental imperatives, and seize opportunities to build new industries and ways of doing business that will ensure American competitiveness and productivity serving the needs of our evolved society. I encourage everyone to examine the platform of the progressive democratic caucus at www.progressivecaucuscdp.org and the skills of candidate James Reed at www.reednow.com before rewarding Mr. Herger for his apparent lack of concern about our planet and inability to help us secure a sustainable future....
5/13/10
Record Searchlight by Scott Mobley
Herger Challenged by Democrat, Republican in Race for Congress
Congressman Wally Herger, R-Chico, will face challenges this year from the moderate left and the rigorous right.
Herger, 64, has represented the reliably Republican 10-county 2nd Congressional District for nearly 24 years. He sits on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means, a gatekeeper for federal spending. Herger has voted with his party colleagues 96 percent of the time during the current Congress, according to a Washington Post analysis.
Opponents say Herger has too little to show for all his years in office. The north state is long overdue for a leadership change, they say....
Jim Reed, a Fall River Mills attorney, has criticized Herger for not bringing enough earmarks and other federal funding to rural interior Northern California.
Reed will run unopposed in the Democratic primary June 8 to face Herger or Stiglich in November.
Reed, 59, supports Obama administration stimulus spending for the economy, strong banking regulation, tax code simplification and higher taxes on incomes over $250,000.
He’s also a green energy proponent who believes laser-ignited fusion will render oil drilling and nuclear fission obsolete within a decade.
Reed grants that Republicans outnumber Democrats by 8 percent throughout the 2nd Congressional District. But decline-to-state voters are 20 percent of the electorate and could swing an election in his favor, he said.
Reed said he’s no fan of earmarks, and would happily see that style of pork barrel spending eliminated. But as long as earmarks are the coin of the realm in Washington, a congressional representative should bring the money home, Reed said.
Reed cited a recent study claiming Shasta County residents receive only $10,000 per person per year in federal spending, compared to an average of $18,000 per person in other rural counties nationwide. He estimates that north state unemployment would be 5 percent lower if the federal government spent as much here as it does elsewhere.
“Wally gets $174,000 a year for being a congressman,” Reed said. “He doesn’t lose anything by failing to go after the money. It’s the people in his district who suffer.
5/12/10
Progressive News Daily
Interview with Jim Reed
The 2010 Congressional election in California is heating up. The June Primary sees an opponent in the Republican Party for incumbent Republican Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA2).
But THE person to take into consideration for both Republicans and Democrats is Democratic Candidate Jim Reed.
Our sister site, Progressive News Radio, currently has an interview with candidate Reed that you can listen to in mp3 format, either on the site or by downloading the program.
Jim Reed discusses his positions on abortion, gun control and what’s not only needed for the Second Congressional District in California, but what he thinks needs to change for the country.
Wally Herger, the incumbent Republican drew attention last fall when a constituent spoke up at a “town hall meeting” and said that he was “proud to be a right wing terrorist. (Video Below)....
Letter to the Editor
by Neil Posson, Mt. Shasta
Wally Herger is the U.S. Congressman representing our district and has
done so for 24 years. In 24 years Herger has never written a bill that
has been passed into law, has never been the chair of any important
committee and does not seem to have brought any significant grants or
projects to our district. Herger is a strong supporter of continuing the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but neither he nor any of his nine children
have ever served in the military. In a town hall meeting in Redding when
a spectator described himself as “ a proud right wing terrorist “ Herger
stated “God bless you. There goes a great American”. Timothy McVeigh was
a proud right wing terrorist.
Wally Herger is paid $174,000 per year plus benefits of tax payer
money. For this Herger has done basically nothing for us. We need to
hold our elected officials accountable for what they have done, or in
Herger’s case for what he has not done. The only time we see or hear from
Herger is when he wants to get re-elected. Herger is wasting our taxes and
political power. I recommend we vote Herger out of office. We deserve
better.
03/31/10
Chico Enterprise Record by Quentin Colgan
Letter: Herger Misses a Chance to Help
What did Wally Herger have to say in his constituents' behalf when it came to controlling runaway costs and protecting their hard-earned resources in these tough times?
Herger said, "No."
Which isn't too surprising.
When told that some reform would be needed to keep 50 of his constituents from dying every year due to the overarching greed inherent in our health care system, Herger said, "No."
When asked if he would stop taking thousands and thousands of dollars from the health care industry and instead represent the people of his district, Herger said, "No..."
When you refuse to participate, you are not representing your constituents. You are not doing the job you were elected to do.
Thanks for nothing, Herger.
03/29/10
Chico Enterprise Record by Maria Phillips
Letter: Herger Stands in Way of Change
Tuesday morning's E-R contained two articles on the just-voted on health care reform: One of them reported on potential gains and deficits (when they will kick in and/or manifest themselves); the other reported on reactions to the bill by local interested parties. Both articles were instructive, even-handed, and I felt appropriately enlightened (what I'm looking for when I read reports on experts' views). All good until I got to Wally Herger's script.
His tired view is of a dark, bad road paved and graded by big government (who's been paying his salary and health insurance for a quarter century) and filled with "bureaucrats [who] take the place of doctors" and will take away our "individual freedoms" and our money.
My view is that he's standing in the way of the light and hoping we won't be able to see around him to find our way out of the morass that our greedy for-profit insurance industry has set us in. He needs to get out of the way.
Please begin to think about voting for Jim Reed, the reasonable alternative from Shasta County. He's running not as a career politician funded by the insurance companies but as a principled individual whose life experience has prepared him to serve as our representative able to lead us out of the morass. He'll do it with intelligence and class and, unlike Herger, he won't fan the flames of extremism.
03/02/10
Chico Enterprise Record by Robert Woods
Letter: Bring Back Sensible Government
I read in the newspaper that one of Congressman Wally Herger's beloved "right-wing terrorists" has crashed his airplane into a federal building in Austin, Texas. Seems a bit reminiscent of Timothy McVeigh blowing up a federal building in Oklahoma City some years back. These right-wingers play for keeps, though often take the coward's way out by killing themselves in the process. Wally Herger may love the extreme conservatives but if we're ever going to get anything done in Congress for the American people we must replace Herger with someone better qualified for the job.
Recently a Democrat from the small town of Fall River Mills in Shasta County filed for the office in the coming election, and bears a second look. Jim Reed is a seasoned lawyer who knows his way around the courtroom and knows the issues that are important in the north state. He could help the Obama administration get us a decent health care plan as well as more jobs and a cleaner environment.
Once we had a Democratic congressman and senator named Clair Engle from Tehama County.
He called himself "an old apple knocker from Manton," and helped pass vital legislation in the 1960s.
Jim Reed might be the person to lead us back to sensible government. Let's listen to the man.
02/27/10
The Record Searchlight Editorial
GOP Stimulus Complaints are Pure Politics
Republican politicians, including the north state's Rep. Wally Herger, have staked immense political energy on attacking last year's federal stimulus program, one of President Barack Obama's signature early initiatives. When they turn around and help constituents bring home a share of it, the hypocrisy is too palpable to ignore....
Where Herger goes off-track, though, is in his simplistic, knee-jerk opposition to all things stimulus - a position that shifts depending on who's in the White House...
02/18/10
The Record Searchlight
Lively Opening Volley Starts Political Year
Jones Valley resident Bert Stead's declaration at a town hall meeting last summer that he was "a proud right-wing terrorist" was a joke, though liberals didn't appreciate the humor.
But Democrats hope to laugh all the way to the bank this election year. They've recycled the crack and especially Rep. Wally Herger's amused reply that Stead was "a great American" into a fundraising mailer, seeking donations to Democrat Jim Reed's campaign against the longtime Republican congressman...
02/18/10
Chico's NewsReview.com
Opinions - Politics Beat
It just so happens that this 89-year-old lady has been following Wally [Herger] for a good many years, having come to Redding in ’78. Whatever the Tea Partiers are about, they’ve got one thing right: Twenty-three years of letting the country down is enough.
Wally’s favorite stunt is showing how little he cares about the Constitution he took an oath to uphold by ignoring the question and changing the subject. He’s a smart politician with a nice smile, but that’s not why he was elected to office. Obama got one thing right: It’s time for change—but in the right direction, of course!
Incidentally, who voted for NAFTA, TARP, most-favored nation for China? You guessed it! Mr. Herger.
(Mrs.) Dorothy Robbins
Shasta
02/15/10
The Record Searchlight by Ryan Sabalow
Democrat's Talking Mailer Blasts Herger
"Jim Reed, a Democratic challenger running against longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Wally Herger, has sent out 2,500 mailers that when opened, play audio recordings of Herger lauding a man who called himself “proud right-wing terrorist.”
Reed’s campaign manager, Crystal Martin, said this morning that using the audio mailers — similar to greeting cards that play songs when they’re opened — is a first of its kind in national politics.
The mailer includes a recording of Bert Stead, 67, of Redding calling himself “a proud, right-wing terrorist” at a Redding town hall meeting in August and Herger’s response:
“Amen. God bless you. There’s a great American.”
The recording also plays audio from liberal TV commentator Keith Olbermann, who called Herger “Worst Person in the World” on his MSNBC “Countdown” show after the remarks went national thanks to the video being placed on YouTube..."
02/13/10
DailyKos.com
"Talking Mailpiece" Blasts Right Wing Terrorists
"(From the diaries. This is definitely a great campaign innovation, and used to fantastic effect given the subject matter it features -- kos)
Today I opened up what I thought would be an ordinary campaign mailer, only to hear the voice of our infamous local Republican Congressman Wally Herger, CA-02, praising a self-proclaimed "Right Wing Terrorist" as a "Great American...'"
11/05/09
Chico News & Review by Tom Gascoyne
Wally’s World: Catching up with our congressman after a summer of town-hall craziness
"This past summer, for the first time in the 23 years he’s represented the 2nd Congressional District, Wally Herger, a genial and predictably conservative but heretofore obscure Republican, was thrust into the national media spotlight for a comment he made Aug. 18 during a town-hall meeting on health-care reform..."
Contact us for questions about the campaign by emailing us at info@reednow.com or by calling (530) 218-2320