DeMaio announces congressional bid

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Former San Diego City Councilman and mayoral candidate
Carl DeMaio Thursday formally announced his candidacy for the 2014 race for the
52nd Congressional District.

In confirming his long-rumored plans to run for Congress, DeMaio, who is
openly gay, called for his party to focus on economic issues rather than
lifestyle questions.

“I see myself as a `new generation Republican' who wants to challenge
the party to focus on pocket-book, economic and quality of life issues in a
more positive and inclusive way, rather than issues that are frankly none of
the government's business in the first place,” he said.

DeMaio, 38, said he would email the statement at 10 a.m. to more than
12,000 supporters, as well as announce his decision via postings on social
media websites.

The Orange County-native hopes to unseat freshman Congressman Scott
Peters, D-San Diego, also a former San Diego City Councilman.

DeMaio served one four-year term on the council, beginning in 2008,
before running unsuccessfully against Democrat Bob Filner in San Diego's
mayoral race last year.

Peters, 54, served two four-year terms on the council from 2000 to 2008.
Upon terming out, he served on the Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners.
In a tight race that wasn't decided until about a week after voters went to the
polls, Peters edged out Republican Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, for the 52nd
Congressional District seat last fall.

The district, which represents mostly coastal and coastal-inland North
County, has traditionally always gone to a conservative. But redistricting
divided the voting block last year in thirds between Democrats, Republicans and
independents, paving the way for a closer race.