Meet the Congressional candidates for the June primary
The race for incumbent Dr. Raul Ruiz’s congressional seat is ramping up ahead of the June 5 primaries.
Ruiz is the only Democrat on the ballot and there are five people vying for the seat on the Republican side. The top two vote-getters will move on to the general election in November.
(Candidates in alphabetical order)
— Dan Ball, a former television news anchor and Air Force veteran. He’s been telling stories in the Coachella Valley for years and says his experience as a journalist will help him investigate key issues, like helping veterans, restoring the Salton Sea, and creating a pathway to citizenship.
“We need to streamline the system, we need to lessen the fees and we need to incentivize people who are here illegally, or anyone who wants to come, to make it an easier process,” Ball said.
Ball also said he will give 10% of his salary back to local veterans programs.
— Robert Bentle, a disabled Army veteran and software engineer, according to a campaign website. Bently was the only candidate who did not reply to our request for an interview.
— Kimberlin Brown Pelzer, a former soap opera actress. She is also a third-generation Californian and small business owner whose family has owned land in the district since the 40s.
“We need people in Washington that have already signed the front of that paycheck because we understand budgeting. We understand how to build things from the ground up,” Pelzer said.
Brown Pelzer believes in securing the border and privatized health care.
— Doug Hassett, a security specialist and longtime local business owner and resident. He is pro-life, believes in creating a pathway to citizenship while securing the border, and is pro-second amendment.
“I’m a member of the NRA. I’ve been a gun owner all my life. I think my dad gave me my first rifle when we were living on the farm,” Hassett said.
— Incumbent Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz is the son of farmworkers. He grew up in the east valley and was elected in 2012. He has had seven bills passed into law and considers himself a champion for the middle class.
“I have brought in millions of dollars for infrastructure projects in under-developed areas so that we can have clean water and a sewage system for those who are still struggling without them,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz created the Veteran’s University program and a pediatric specialty clinic. He is against privatizing healthcare.
— Stephan Wolkowicz, a local native with a background in international accounting. He has a background in international accunting and plans to cut taxes and rein in spending.
“The poor, hardworking middle class does need to have their money back. They will grow the economy. Not the corporations. At the end of the day, it will be the middle class that is spending. We are a spending economy. They will spend,” Wolkowicz said.
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