Ron Packard
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Ronald C. Packard (January 19, 1931–) is a Republican politician from California.
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[edit] Biography
Packard was born in Meridian, Idaho, where he grew up. He attended Brigham Young University, Portland State University, and University of Oregon Dental School, where he received a D.M.D. in 1957. He was in the Navy Dental Corps during 1957–1959, and worked as a dentist after leaving the Navy.
Packard first entered politics as a trustee of the Carlsbad Unified School District in California, and served during 1962–1974. He was elected to the Carlsbad city council in 1976, then elected mayor of Carlsbad in 1978. While mayor, he was active in community and regional affairs, serving on the transportation policy committee of the League of California Cities, as a Director of North County Transit District, and as President of the Council of Mayors for San Diego County.
[edit] The 1982 election
In 1982, Packard lost the Republican primary for United States House of Representatives in a crowded field of candidates to Johnnie Crean by a few dozen votes.[1] Crean's character came into issue, with his negative ads and false claim of endorsement by Ronald Reagan, so, after some reluctance, Packard launched a campaign as a write-in candidate. Packard ran a poll which found that voters would vote for him, especially if they knew how to write him in. Packard campaigned with a gigantic pencil as a prop while giving out golf pencils to district residents. An organized effort among fellow Mormons helped the campaign. Packard won the election by 11,000 votes to become the first independent write-in candidate to defeat candidates of both the Democratic and Republican parties. NPR's Ken Rudin described the race this way:
| Eighteen Republicans were running in the primary for the seat being vacated by Rep. Clair Burgener (R). The winner was political novice Johnny Crean, whose family wealth bankrolled his saturation of the airwaves in the district, situated just north of San Diego. Crean spent well over $750,000 in the primary, then a substantial amount, mostly attacking his fellow Republicans, while ducking candidate forums and personal appearances. Crean defeated Carlsbad Mayor Ron Packard in the primary by 92 votes out of more than 83,000 cast. Furious, Packard announced a write-in effort. Fearful that the GOP split in this overwhelming GOP district could end up electing a Democrat, there was great pressure on Packard to end his bid. But he refused, and won the seat with 37 percent of the vote. The Democrat finished second with 32 percent; Crean received 31 percent. [2] |
Packard was only the fourth person to be elected to Congress as a write-in candidate.[3] Upon being sworn in, Packard joined the Republican caucus. He was reelected as a Republican eight times with no substantive opposition in the heavily Republican district.
Packard's congressional career included membership on the House Approriations Committee. Packard served a total of nine terms and then retired from the House at the end of his term in 2001 to spend time with his family. In congress he was known as a deficit hawk, a critic of legislative "pork", and opponent of illegal immigration.
A U.S. Post Office building in Oceanside, California was named for him in 2002.
Packard and his wife Jean live in Carlsbad. They had seven children. Packard works part-time as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C..
[edit] Quote
- Giving assistance to illegal immigrants who broke the law to enter this country undermines the integrity of our laws. Every dollar spent on illegal immigrants is a dollar denied to taxpaying citizens.
[edit] See also
- Ronald C. Packard Papers, California State University, San Marcos
[edit] References
- ^ CQ Politics Trivia
- ^ Ken Rudin. "Political Junkie", NPR.
- ^ "Hopefuls sling mud in run-up to election", San Diego Union-Tribune, 2006-04-10 by Dani Dodge
[edit] External link
This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
| Preceded by Clair W. Burgener |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 43rd congressional district 1983–1993 |
Succeeded by Ken Calvert |
| Preceded by District Created |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 48th congressional district 1993–2001 |
Succeeded by Darrell Issa |
