My Official Candidate Statement

By Brett E. Franklin

The son of a U.S. Marine jet pilot and a registered nurse, I was born and raised in Orange County, attended its public schools, and have run a successful business here for nearly two decades. After graduating from Santa Ana High, I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Economics from Westmont Christian College in Santa Barbara. I met my wife Rossette, a bilingual teacher of disabled young adults, while attending language school in Costa Rica. We've chosen to raise our son in central Orange County because we value the diversity and vitality of the hardworking people here.

Members of the California Assembly have saddled the state with a $30 billion deficit. Then they tried to triple your car tax and build casinos to bail themselves out. Casino gambling interests are pouring millions of dollars into political campaigns across the state. That's not the sort of leadership Orange County needs.

I've overseen a balanced budget in each of seven years as an elected official. Last year I was the only City Council member to speak out against a proposed assessment district tax. Grateful voters agreed with me and rejected the tax by a landslide. I support partnerships between local government and our churches, temples, and other faith-based communities for their leadership in helping to provide social services in lean times. I strongly oppose Urban Gambling and I will fight all attempts by Sacramento politicians to build casinos in Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster, or anyplace else in Orange County.

Orange County Supervisors Bill Campbell and Tom Wilson have endorsed me instead of my opponents because of my proven track record in standing up to corruption and crime. They also know I'll cut through political gridlock to make sure the county gets its fair share of state and federal resources, whether for street repairs, schools, or homeland security. I've earned the respect and endorsements of Police Chief Paul Walters, our Fire Fighters Association, more than 30 Orange County mayors and council members, and a long list of community leaders.

Check my Web site: http://www.brettfranklin.org