Posted on 03/08/2002 7:58:02 AM PST by dittomom
Scottsdale Dem businessman will run for Hayworth's seat
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| Craig Columbus. |
By Jon Kamman
The Arizona Republic
March 08, 2002
A Scottsdale businessman making his first run for public office announced his candidacy Thursday for the congressional seat held by Republican J.D. Hayworth.
Craig Columbus, 35, a regular CNBC commentator on Wall Street and financial affairs, described himself as a "moderate, centrist" Democrat who offers new leadership for the Information Age. He said he will emphasize the economy and education in his campaign.
"Arizona is in danger of falling behind in the new economy," Columbus said. He said he is running because he has "unique qualifications" to help make the state more competitive for economic growth and highly-skilled jobs.
Business should tap into the expertise found at Arizona State University to bolster the Phoenix area's image as forward-looking, and growth should not come at the expense of health care and environmental protection, he said.
Congressional District 5, newly shaped in redistricting last year, extends south from Fountain Hills and Cave Creek through Scottsdale, Tempe, part of Chandler and across the Ahwatukee Foothills of Phoenix. Republicans outnumber Democrats by a 4-3 ratio, with nearly 30 percent of voters registered as independent.
Columbus moved to Scottsdale from western Pennsylvania in 1999 and founded Scorelab Inc. which develops software for professional analysis of stock market trends.
Since selling the company to global information provider Thomson Financial, he has remained chief market strategist for the 10-employee division. His CNBC appearances focus on trading by corporation executives in the stock of their own companies, which could foreshadow rising and falling profits.
The collapse of energy broker Enron underscores concerns he has expressed for years about the laxness of U.S. rules for disclosure of such insider trading, Columbus said. "Real reform is needed for public protection," he said.
Columbus holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University, a law degree from Indiana University and an MBA from Penn State. He and his wife, Lori, have a 3-year-old son.
Hayworth, first elected in 1996, is seeking re-election in the new district.
Reach the reporter at jon.kamman@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-4816.
I second that motion! Don't see that happening, but the last carpetbagger who ran against him did give JD a close race.
Hmmmmm, what does "moderate, centrist" mean?
pro-abortion
pro-gun control
favorite saying is "tax cuts for the rich"
pro-Kyoto
opposed to school choice
Did I miss any?
He usually comes of well on the show and it can't hurt him in the election.
Since most of them are quite a few steps to the left of Lenin I would say that means a "common, ordinary, run-of-the-mill socialist." 'DemocRAT' and 'businessman' don't belong in the same sentence.
...moderate, centrist...
Code words for commie-lib
---strike 2
...Real reform is needed for public protection...
Commie-lib catch phrase meaning that ordinary people are too stupid to mange their own affairs and must turn themover to gov't. beaureaucrats.
---strike 3
You're outta there!!
(Unfortunately, we don't have any pols to look up to in IL....)
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