Republicans for Assembly discuss immigration, budget

Republican candidates for 3rd District Assembly addressed illegal immigration and state budget problems Thursday night.

Sue Horne and Dan Logue, two candidates for the state seat whose campaigns have already sparked heated debates, presented their sides and asked for votes from the nearly 100 people at a forum sponsored by the Sutter County Republican Women Federated.

Horne noted her experience and her disappointment with the state budget.

"A $16 billion deficit is appalling," she said. "I want to demand fiscal accountability, balance the state budget and put away money for a rainy day."

Horne, a Nevada County supervisor for the past eight years, said the county's been able to cut staff by 10 percent, but increase public safety.

"Public safety is what government is supposed to be doing," she said.

Horne said with public safety in mind, she would secure the country's borders to illegal immigration.

Logue, a Yuba County supervisor, said he would secure the borders in order to protect the integrity and freedoms of the country. He said he supports the military and plans to protect what the soldiers of past wars fought for.

"They gave us a free society," he said. "Our government was built on one principal: Self-responsibility. Without freedom, we'll lose that."

Logue said he also doesn't want government mixed with business.

"We didn't go to government to fix our problems," Logue said referring to Yuba County issues. "We put money in our roads and we fixed our levees to get it done right."

Four candidates from two districts in the Yuba County supervisors races also spoke at the forum addressing reasons for running.

John Mullikan and Michael Peterson, both challengers to incumbent Mary Jane Griego in District 3, said they are not politicians, but they would be a voice of the people if elected.

"It is time for a change in Yuba County," Mullikan said.

Griego was not present at the forum.

District 4 challenger Roger Abe said he believes it is time for elected officials to abide by the desires of constituents.

District 4 Supervisor Don Schrader said he wants to bring jobs to the area and change the practice of building homes behind the levee.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Andrea Koskey at 749-4709 or akoskey@appealdemocrat.com