HOLLISTER
The race for 17th Congressional District got a little more intriguing with the addition of Republican Pete Andresen as a write-in candidate.
Andresen, a Salinas resident and money manager at Andresen & Associates, said his decision to enter the race against U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, was based largely on the economic meltdown over the past couple of weeks.
“Last week, I had no intention of entering (the race),” he said.
While the “system is broken,” he said, he believes everyone needs to be on board to fix this problem. Andresen said he can help accomplish this through his training in economics and “bringing a less quarrelsome voice to Congress.”
Andresen filed for his candidacy over the weekend by acquiring the required 40 signatures. Being a write-in candidate, however, means his name will not appear on the ballot and he acknowledged that write-ins have “a gnat’s chance in a hurricane” for election.
The announcement last month of Jeff Taylor quitting the Republican Party played a key role in his candidacy. Taylor quit the party and attributed his decision to its direction.
“His decision to disavow the party meant that there was nobody to confront (U.S. Rep.) Sam Farr on the issues,” he said.
Taylor still will be on the ballot as a Republican. But he is officially registered as “decline to state.”
Andresen said his major issue is the economy but added that he is supportive of improving the environment and would like to work on energy policies as well. On a personal level, he said he is interested in the wilderness and has experience with fires, having managed cattle ranches on the Pacheco Pass.
Although he doesn’t have any experience in running for office, he “will learn by doing.” He projected he will stop in Hollister at some point in the future to “shake things up.”
