Colusa supervisor announces run for Congress
Colusa County Supervisor Kim Dolbow Vann is stepping up to run for Congress next year against the new Democratic incumbent for the Mid-Valley.
Vann, 36, and a supervisor since 2006, filed paperwork this week to run as a Republican next year in the new 3rd Congressional District.
"I'm the right person at the right time for this new district," said Vann, who lives in Colusa County. "This district is my front yard and my back yard."
Vann said she was also motivated to run because redistricting put U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Creek, into the Yuba-Sutter-Colusa area, which has typically elected Republicans.
"I wouldn't be running if I couldn't win," she said, adding because of a high number of decline-to-state voters, she believes she can garner ample support, even if party registration favors Democrats in the district.
But Jeannie Klever, chair of the Sutter County Democratic Central Committee, said Garamendi is a better fit for the area than some Republicans may think.
"He's very experienced, and very impressive," Kleve said, adding Garamendi is familiar with agriculture and the Central Vallley. "I think it would be tough to beat him."
In a press release, the Arbuckle resident said her background in both the private sector and government would give her the experience necessary to help economic recovery and make tough choices. She said Thursday she would discuss her policy positions more specifically after Labor Day, when she'll make a formal campaign announcement.
Vann, a former staff member for former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose, R-Sacramento, comes from a four-generation farming family and has been a business consultant for the past eight years.
She said she is encouraged by the amount of support she has received within her party in the district, with endorsements from current Yuba-Sutter U.S. Rep. Wally Herger, R-Chico, as well as Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber and state Sen. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale.
Garamendi previously represented an east Bay Area district, but was redistricted to an area stretching from Yuba-Sutter in the north to Solano and Yolo counties. That change takes effect at the end of 2012.
Before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, he served as the state's lieutenant governor and insurance commissioner.
CONTACT reporter Ben van der Meer at 749-4786.
