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Democratic Primary Runner-Up Peter Mathews Challenges Rep. Laura
Richardson in the June 8, 2010 Primary Election
NRI Professor
Peter Mathews running for Congress as a Democratic
Los Angeles, April 04, 2009
Sunil Sharma
Peter Mathews, Professor of American Government and International
Relations and Department Chair at Cypress College, officially
announced that he is running for the 37th Congressional District
to unseat the current Congressperson, Laura Richardson in the
June 8, 2010 Democratic Primary Election. Mathews was runner-up
in the June 3, 2008 Democratic Primary. Left uncontested, Richardson
will be the only candidate on the ballot in 2010 since no Republican,
Green, or Libertarian is likely to run.
Among a full house of several dozen supporters and media, Peter
Mathews insisted that, "in a Democracy, the voters must have
a choice between two or more candidates." Later, Mathews
answered questions from the audience.
As reported by national and local media, Mathews expressed,
"Rep. Richardson's eight defaults and one foreclosure on
three different homes, as well as other financial problems have
made it difficult for her to fully focus on her duties as 37th
District Congresswoman. Richardson voted to give Bush 50 Billion
Dollars to continue the war in Iraq, after promising voters she
would not support any more funding." He said this news has
angered voters who are expressing keen interest in removing Richardson
from office.
Americans are outraged at 73 AIG executives each receiving bonuses
over $1,000,000 from the taxpayer bailout – many of these
where the same executives who made decisions resulting in financial
disaster for AIG and the U.S. economy. Many members of Congress
who voted for the AIG bailout had received thousands of dollars
in campaign contributions from AIG over the years (see link).
They helped destroy our economy, and now they're being rewarded
with money from the taxpayers! This is a clear reflection of how
big money is influencing our politics and shattering the American
Dream. There are many other outrages.
The top 400 income earners each received an average of $214,000,000
last year. The average American’s individual income was
$26,000 last year. Since the beginning of 2008, 4.6 million jobs
were lost. All of this and more were the direct result of former
President Bush’s and Congress’ wrong headed policies
of eight years: “Trickle Down Economics” with huge
tax cuts for the super rich; an unjustified, costly and debt generating
war in Iraq; Unregulated, Free Trade (not Fair Trade), job exporting,
trade deficit generating, anti-worker policies; further deregulation
of banks and finance, allowing Wall Street to go wild. The best
way out of this mess, vote fot
At present, American women are paid less than 75 cents for every
$1.00 paid to men for the same work. I will fight to increase
and equalize pay for women. I will fight for cleaner air through
stronger regulation of our local oil and chemical refineries and
other factories.
As an educator himself, Professor Mathews has seen first had
the effects that budget cuts and under funding have had on our
schools and colleges. Almost 50 million Americans have no healthcare
coverage. This is unacceptable! As Congressman, I will work for
a universal, single-payer health care system (similar to that
of Canada's and our own Medicare system) that would cover everyone
for 40% less cost
Mathew said, our campaign refuses to accept money from corporate
lobbyists and special interests. We will not be bought! Therefore,
we must rely on your support. Although the maximum individual
contribution allowed by Federal laws is $2400, even a donation
of $5, or some of your time volunteering in this grassroots campaign,
will make a big difference in achieving victory to restore the
American Dream:
The Rich Have Gotten Richer,
The Poor Are Getting Poorer,
The Middle Class Is Disappearing!
We can and must change direction:
a 21st Century New Deal
............... by Peter Mathews, Professor
of Political Science
June 07, 2008: Peter Mathews, a Democratic
candidate for the 37th Congressional District of California got
1150 votes and his opponent Laura Richardson had 5816
Peter Mathews is a Democratic candidate in the 2008 congressional
elections for the 37th Congressional District (map) of California.
The seat has been vacant since Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald's
death on April 22, 2007. The 2008 Democratic primary will take place
on June 3, 2008.
-----------------------------------
Dec 31, 2007
Sunil Sharma
Mathews has been running for a seat in Congress since 1992. He
said this is the fourth time he has run in the 37th district which
includes Long Beach, Carson, Compton, Willow Brooks and Watts. Mathew
said his closest race was when he lost 51 percent to 49 percent.
Political Science Professor Peter Mathews has spent 28 years as
a College and University Professor educating people. Born into a
family of educators, his father was a university professor and clinical
psychologist, and his mother, a teacher. At an early age, Mathews
learned the value of human dignity and to cherish education. This
has molded his beliefs about the role of government in the world
today.
As an educator, Peter has seen, first hand, the effects that a
lack of funding has had on the education of our children. He has
visited schools, many in cities such as Compton, Carson, and Long
Beach, that do not have basic necessities such as updated textbooks,
computers, adequate number of classrooms, credentialed teachers,
and after school arts academic and sports programs. These are tools
that will ensure that our children receive the high quality education
they deserve. Peter founded Rescue Education California in 1993.
Professional Credentials
- Member of the California Teachers Association, Screen Actors
Guild, and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
- Chair of the Department of Political Science at Cypress College.
- Television and Radio Political Analyst on subjects of Local,
State, National, and International Issues for KNBC-TV, CNN Radio,
KNX Radio, KPFK Radio and various other television and radio stations.
He has analyze issues such as, "The California State Budget
Crisis", "President Bush's State of the Union Address",
"The High Cost of War in Iraq", "The North Korea
Crisis", and "The Impact of Congress' policies on California".
- Professor of American Government and International Relations,
Contemporary Political Issues, Comparative Government, Political
Theory, and Urban Politics.
- Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Bachelors Degree
in Psychology.
- Masters Degree in Political Science from the University of
North Texas.
- Doctoral Studies at the University of Southern California
Awards Received
- Recipient of Cypress College Faculty Development Award 2003
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for "...Continued Efforts
as a Media Personality Bringing Peace, Justice, and Unity to Our
Community", presented by So.California Region Ministerial
Alliance, January 11, 2004
- The Faculty Development Award of Cypress College for Community
Development Work Beyond the Classroom, Spring 2005
- Semester Abroad Professor of Cypress College at Cambridge,
England, Spring 1990
Rallies Organized
- "End the War in Iraq" rallies, Long Beach, California:
June 2007 and March 2008
- Rescue Education Rally to Successfully Block College Tuition
increases to $30 per unit, Sacramento, California: 1993 and 2002
- Rescue Education rallies to Block Tuition increases, Cypress
College: 1996 and 1998
Speeches Given (partial list):
- "End the Unjust War in Iraq" speeches: California
State University, Long Beach, Fall 2007
- "Peace and Justice Rally" sponsored by some members
of the First Congregational Church of Long Beach, Spring 2008
- "The Need for Universal Healthcare and Tuition Free Education"
speeches: Long Beach City College, Orange Coast College, California
State University of Long Beach, Los Angeles Harbor College, and
California State University of Dominguez Hills.
Elections:
1978 North Fair Oaks Advisory Council Election - 3,200 votes (80%-20%)
1990 State Assembly Democratic Primary - 15,000 votes (60%-40%)
1990 State Assembly General Election - 40,000 votes
1996 Congressional Democratic Primary - 19,000 votes (49%-51%)
1998 General Election - 56,000 votes (45%-52%)
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