Damon Dunn, “Is He the Future?”
Damon Dunn has captured the attention of the California Republican Party, as well as the conservative, independent and youthful voters of the state; many are starting to label him the “future of the Republican Party”.
If Dunn is that future, it is best described as energetic, articulate and extremely passionate – and never has voted.
Dunn is the 33-year-old Texas ex-patriot, University of Stanford political graduate and very successful California businessman who has now decided to run for Secretary of State as a conservative Republican. The former Cardinal football star, and employee of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, has a story to tell.
Dunn’s only negative is getting past the fact that he has voted but once in his life, and that was last May during the ballot propositions. The question, can a rising political star capture a statewide office which revolves around the voting process of the state’s residents with a solid voting record himself?
To Dunn, his lack of votes is not a negative, but a positive message for the citizens of California. And to listen to him tell it, he just might be right. I’ll say this about Damon, you won’t find a more purposed candidate in the SOS race for the GOP.
During my 30-minute conversation with Dunn at 1380 KTKZ, numerous station employees poked their heads into the studio during commercial breaks to shake his hand, make his acquaintance and remark on how he is a breath of fresh air for the party.
Mission accomplished, when you’re talking about staffers at a 24/7 political talk radio station.
From his childhood in Texas, to his educational journey that lead him to Stanford and eventually into the NFL draft, Dunn’s plight is one of achievement, accomplishment and pursuit. If he isn’t the next Secretary of State nominee for the Grand Old Party, he will be holding a future nomination in short order.
Listen for yourself.
I have inverted the audio segments below, starting with the second segment first due to Dunn’s passion and reason as it relates to the voters trust with such a thin voting record, then his idea to use the office of Secretary of State to hold exit interviews with businesses leaving the state, asking if taxes, regulations or carbon emission standards are too burdensome to continue to do business in California.
Dunn also broaches his support of Voter ID for California elections.
In the initial segment Dunn addresses his poor voting record and plays it into a strength, stating that he is uniquely positioned to speak to the 23 million non-voters in California. Dunn shares details surrounding his upbringing and childhood while living in Texas.
Dunn also announces that the Oakland Tribune would sponsor traveling debates held inside of under-performing voting areas all over California, with Dunn calling out Debra Bowen, the current Secretary of State, and challenging her to agree to engage him in a voter educational tour debate series in 2010.
I was so impressed with Dunn’s performance, I asked him to stay for a few minutes after the show and record a few exclusive video interviews for readers of HOGUE NEWS. Each video presentation is a little under two-minutes in length. This will give you the opportunity that I had on Thursday, a chance to look into Dunn’s eyes and see if his rhetoric matches his heart’s character and passion; judge for yourself.
“Damon, how did you get to Stanford University?”
“Damon, you represent Voter ID for California; how do you get around the argument that such a measure is nothing more than intimidation and voter disenfranchisement?”
“Damon, explain your point that your lack of voting has not meant that you have not been involved or engaged with civic duty and political involvement.”
Damon Dunn, Republican for Secretary of State.
If Dunn can get past his por voting record, he may be the next GOP nominee for a statewide office in California. The bigger question, is Damon Dunn the future of the Republican Party?
This guy is for real! Let’s get behind Damon! I am officially endorsing him for Secretary of State!
Why is he not proving his capabilities by running for a local office first? Where’s the evidence that he’ll be any better than the next politician once in office?
You cannot deny that he is passionate, but hell, I am passionate, Paul is passionate, we are all passionate. That is not reason enough to get my support. I need to see a consistent record of upholding conservative principles in an elected office or at least showing that you have voted for conservative principles. Right now he is an ideal individual to host fundraisers and motivate young people, but not to make decisions that are vital to the continued success of our state. That is not to say that he cannot be that candidate some day, but the idea of our candidates holding statewide elected office with no political history is not a GOP future that seems too bright or sustainable.
Political history of not showing results from our current politicians is the PROBLEM.The GOP future needs a revival for our California state. His principles have been proven through his journey in life. He is a successful student, NFL player, community outreach leader, and business owner at such a young age. He is committed to helping California change. I believe Damon has conservative principles. Many do not vote because they do not think their one vote will make a difference. Jenny and Nick we need someone with integrity, intelligence, and inspiration that will give us results. Consider this most politicians are born with money and Damon was not. He developed a lifestyle from nothing. Do you you want the same results for California?
He has the work ethic to change California, I believe that is more important than political history.
I like what he says and his passion. I frankly PREFER someone who is from the people, not from politics so it’s okay with me and actually GOOD that he has no political experience. I’m glad he is frank about only voting once. I can get past that. The Founding Fathers wanted citizens from all walks of life to leave their homes and jobs and serve the country. They did not envision career politicians. Feels like he fits that vision. I also like seeing conservative blacks represented.
Unfortunately, Damon Dunn is not qualified to run as Republican Candidate. He was registered Democrat 12 months prior to his filing on his candidacy as Secretary of State of CA. He could run as Democrat though.
“Rule 8001a(2) states that one should not be affiliated with another party for 12 months prior to official declaration of candidacy.”
Official declaration of candidacy is done on form 501, which he filed out November 5, 2009. He was a registered Democrat in FL since 1999. He has never written to them to ask to change affiliation, so he is assumed to be affiliated with the Democrat party until he registers with another party. For the first time he registered Republican on March 13, 2009 in order to vote in May 2009 election. From March 13 till November 5 is less then 8 months, not 12 as required by law, therefore he cannot be legally on the ballot.
Dunn is a shill for the Democrats and George Soros. His goal is to make sure Debra Bowen wins by splitting the conservative vote. He was registered as a Democrat for 10 years in Florida, says Obama is his hero and praises Debra Bowen. He only registered as a Republican a few months ago before he announced his candidacy. He isn’t eligible to run as a Republican because he hasn’t been a Republican for a year, as is required. Are people really falling for this?
Dunn will go far, he’s got a strong head on his shoulders and about time California gets rid of these wacko liberals.
I agree with Vivien. Something really stinks about this guy. I’ve met him twice and I have heard him speak. He’s disingenuous. I believe he is a George Soros puppet.