Jose Hernandez: Let's launch an astronaut into Congress

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http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/07/26/1113992/-Jose-Hernandez-Let-s-launch-an-astronaut-into-Congress

I'm *really* excited about this candidate, he's badly in need of funds to fight the Republican in the newly redrawn 10th District. I'm signal boosting for this guy. Great article in Kos on him.

Earlier this year, during the California jungle primaries (where all candidates are listed on a single ballot, and the top two advance to the general election regardless of party), Republicans deployed their lawyers against Jose Hernandez.

You see, in California, candidates list their occupation on the ballot, and Hernandez's was "astronaut." Republicans decided that was too inspirational and sued to prevent him from saying so.

<snip>

That lawsuit went nowhere, but it was the first major sign that Republicans were worried about the San Joaquin Valley, California Democrat, whose father was a migrant worker from Mexico and he spent his early years picking tomatoes in the fields. His story, from beginning to end, is inspirational and not the sort of thing you typically see in Congress.

<snip>

He's running in California's new 10th congressional district. The area (pre-redistricting) was mostly represented by Rep. Dennis Cardoza who retired. Republicans are running Rep. Jeff Denham. Pres. Barack Obama won this new district 50-47, though Meg Whitman won it 49-43 in the 2010 governor's race. So it's swingy. It's 46 percent white and 40 percent Latino, though Latinos only make up 25 percent of the voting age population. So while it's majority-minority, many of the brown people in its borders are unable to vote (either because of their legal status or because they are too young).

http://joseforcongress.com/ <----for more information.

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1. He sounds like a really great guy, I'm rooting for him!

Here are some threads about him, one of them mentions that Republicans used a swift-boat law firm to try to prevent him from saying he was an astronaut on the ballot. Fortunately the judge had common sense.

Oct-06-11
Former Astronaut Launches Bid For Congress
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x5018432

Mar 26, 2012
The Republican War on Astronauts (and Women)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12284390

Mar 26, 2012
GOP files suit to prevent Democratic candidate from claiming to be an astronaut.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002473434

Mar 26, 2012
OH FOR F**KS SAKE!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002475637

Mar 29, 2012
Congressional candidate is an astronaut on ballot, judge says
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101486262

Apr 1, 2012
Jose Hernandez is an Astronaut.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002503966

Apr 3, 2012
Astronaut Jose Hernandez For Congress - CA
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002510669

Apr 6, 2012
Republicans lose court fight prevent democratic astronaut listing his occupation for house race
http://www.democraticunderground.com/125128018

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2. Thank you for adding those!

How insanely petty to go after him for calling himself an astronaut! I didn't hear about any of this until he won his primary. I think I saw the Teamsters post something on Facebook about him, which is how I finally read about him. I'm going to try to donate to him when school starts and I have some more $.