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Stockton, CA: Former US congressman Pete McCloskey, who is again a candidate in the US Congressional Dist 11, April 7 reached out to hundreds of Muslim voters in Stockton with the primary purpose to register unregistered Muslim voters. He was speaking at a meeting organized by Mr. K. Saif at AMA’s behest. Others, including Maad Abu-Ghazalah, a two-time former candidate for US Congress, and local activist K. Saif, were also there to urge the Muslim community to register to vote, and exercise the power of their vote for those candidates who support civil liberty and human rights for everyone. Mr....

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Former seven-term Congressman Paul "Pete" McCloskey said Saturday that he will challenge U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo (news, bio, voting record) for the Republican nomination in his northern California district. The 78-year-old McCloskey, a maverick known for environmental causes, told The Associated Press he felt compelled to get back into politics because of his concern for the environment and what he sees as a shift in Washington away from traditional Republican values. He also was prompted by what he described as Pombo's close ties to Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who has pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a growing...

Former Peninsula Congressman Paul "Pete" McCloskey Jr., best remembered for his Vietnam War opposition and his speech calling for the impeachment of President Nixon, will announce his candidacy Monday in Lodi as a Republican challenger to Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy.The feisty 78-year-old beat the bushes for months in his quest to find a Republican willing to run against the seven-term incumbent with whom he has major political differences.But when no one volunteered, McCloskey asked, "Why not me?"After all, he said, Benjamin Franklin was 82 when he cast his vote for the U.S. Constitution, and former President Bush sky dived on...

RUMSEY - During his career in politics, Pete McCloskey has gone up against the likes of Shirley Temple Black, Richard Nixon and Pete Wilson. Now the former environmental lawyer and Republican congressman from the San Mateo area is seriously pondering doing battle in the GOP primary next June against Rep. Richard Pombo of Tracy, whom McCloskey regards as an affront to the Republican principles of his day. McCloskey also is taking aim at a Pombo ally, GOP Rep. John Doolittle of Roseville, by financing acerbic billboard ads and scouting for primary election challengers. (snip) He has been increasingly irritated with...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two California House members from opposite parties are asking a federal elections panel for permission to raise unlimited money to oppose Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's redistricting measure. Reps. Howard Berman, D-North Hollywood, and John Doolittle, R-Rocklin, are seeking an advisory opinion from the Federal Election Commission that would allow them to collect "soft money" from unions, corporations and other donors to support or oppose ballot measures in the Nov. 8 special election. Both oppose Schwarzenegger's redistricting initiative. Berman's chief of staff, Gene Smith, said the request was motivated by their desire to raise money to fight it. Schwarzenegger's...

WASHINGTON - A former Republican congressman who was a moderate ally of former President Bush is leading an effort to find a 2006 Republican primary election opponent for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Former Rep. Pete McCloskey, whose eight terms in Congress ended before DeLay arrived in 1984, said Friday that he will meet in Houston this month with perennial DeLay opponent Michael Fjetland and "any Republican who is willing to challenge Mr. DeLay." "It takes guts to challenge him," said McCloskey, who was known as a party maverick and endorsed Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004. But, he...

WASHINGTON - A former Republican congressman who was a moderate ally of former President Bush is leading an effort to find a 2006 Republican primary election opponent for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Former Rep. Pete McCloskey, whose eight terms in Congress ended before DeLay arrived in 1984, said Friday that he will meet in Houston this month with perennial DeLay opponent Michael Fjetland and "any Republican who is willing to challenge Mr. DeLay." "It takes guts to challenge him," said McCloskey, who was known as a party maverick and endorsed Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004. But, he...