• Buck McKeon,  CA-25,  Lee Rogers,  Patricia McKeon

    CA-25: FEC Complaint Filed over Buck and Patricia McKeon Mailer

    Rep. Buck McKeon and his wife, Patricia McKeon, a candidate for California Assembly with House Speaker Boehner

    From the press release:

    Dr. Lee Rogers, who is running for Congress in California’s 25th District, filed a complaint and supporting documentation with the Federal Elections Commission today about the use of a Buck McKeon for Congress campaign mailer to benefit his wife and Campaign Treasurer, Patricia McKeon, a State Assembly candidate.

    Lee Rogers released the following statement:

    “Rep. McKeon violated the law by sending out a campaign mailer warning voters that Paul Strickland – one of Patricia’s opponents in the State Assembly race – is not related to State Senator Tony Strickland. Rep. McKeon is not running against a Strickland and such a clarification is unnecessary for his Congressional campaign. The purpose of this communication was to help Patricia’s Assembly race since Paul Strickland is the fortunate recipient of some name-misidentification. It is improper and the complaint we filed this morning brings that to light.

    “Congressman McKeon can’t use funds raised for his federal campaign for communications to benefit his wife’s Assembly run specifically because she is an agent of his campaign committee and the expenditure would not be “independent” as required by campaign finance law.

    “Because Patricia McKeon serves as her husband’s Campaign Treasurer, she can’t receive any beneficial communication for her State Assembly race from Buck McKeon for Congress. The two roles have to be completely separate.

    “Buck and Patricia McKeon need to play by the same rules as everyone else.”

    Dr. Roger’s has a good point, but ethics has never stepped in the way of a McKeon campaign.

    The ethics of the entire Team McKeon WILL be an issue going into the November general elections, particularly if Patricia McKeon wins a spot in the top two next Tuesday.

  • Buck McKeon,  CA-25,  Dante Acosta,  Lee Rogers

    CA-25: Dante Acosta Agrees to Substitute for Rep Buck McKeon for Lunch Auction

    If you recall a few weeks ago, Democrat Dr. Lee Rogers purchased a lunch with his Congressional race opponent incumbent Republican Rep. Buck McKeon.

    Congressional Candidate Dr. Lee Rogers won an auction for lunch with Representative Howard “Buck” McKeon at the College of the Canyons Silver Spur Celebration Saturday night. The auction took place in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. Rogers paid $300 to the College for the lunch donated by McKeon.

    “The money goes to the College Foundation, which is a good cause,” said Rogers. “I would like to sit with the Congressman and have a cordial discussion about the challenges that face the communities in the 25th district and the United States.”

    The donation offers lunch in Santa Clarita or Washington, DC for the winner and up to three guests. Rogers intends on inviting three members of the local press to observe the lunchtime conversation. Invitations will be extended to The Antelope Valley Press, The Signal, and The Simi Valley Acorn. “There are many serious problems facing the district and it will be good to compare and contrast our views on policy,” Rogers said.

    Rogers will reach out to Congressman McKeon this week to set up a date for the “lunch summit.”

    I guess there was a problem in scheduling or whatever.

    But, never fear another opponent of Rep. Buck McKeon, Republican Dante Acosta has agreed to stand in and take Buck’s place.

    From the press release:

    Congressional Candidate Dante Acosta has offered to lunch with Democrat Candidate Lee Rogers after Congressman McKeon’s unresponsiveness.

    Dr. Rogers won an auction for lunch donated by Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon at a charity fundraiser to support College of the Canyons, an important local educational institution.

    After reading web postings that Dr. Rogers was unable to schedule a date after numerous attempts, Mr. Acosta reached out to Dr. Rogers.

    “I know from firsthand experience the difficulty in obtaining a meeting with Congressman McKeon and the how frustrating it can be dealing with his office, so I decided to offer to have lunch with Dr. Rogers myself and he has agreed,” Acosta said. “I also told Dr. Rogers to invite any members of the media he wishes, I’m not afraid to speak in front of the press.”

    “It is so important for a representative to be willing to listen to and engage with the community. It is part of their job to work with ALL members of the community, Democrat or Republican to get things done. I have very strong principles and will no doubt have differences with Dr. Rogers but if you are not willing to listen and discuss issues how will you know what you do agree on? I look forward to being able to discuss the important local issues like stopping the Cemex mega-mine and bringing more jobs to the district as well as federal issues such as the war in Afghanistan and the national debt.” Mr. Acosta added.

    Mr. Acosta and Dr. Rogers agreed to hold their “Lunch Summit” on March 27th in Santa Clarita and will invite the press to dine with them.

    You would think that Rep Buck McKeon who delivered a speech this morning at the Reagan Presidential Library would have agreed to his luncheon obligation today.

    I mean, after all, it is for charity.

    Oh well!