Campaign 2012: Rouse looks to 'blue' voters for District 3

Charles Rouse said he wants to turn the state 3rd Assembly District "blue."

Rouse, of Corning, is a Democrat running for the seat against Republican incumbent Dan Logue of Loma Rica, in the Nov. 6 general election.

Logue, a former Yuba County supervisor, is one of the chief whips for the Republican caucus.

Rouse came in second in the open ballot June 5 primary, bringing in 32 percent of the vote, behind Logue's 42 percent, and ahead of Republican Bob Williams' 25 percent. The winner of the race in November will represent Yuba and Sutter counties in the Assembly.

Believing he has the "homecourt advantage" in Tehama County, Rouse feels he can also win Butte County where "there are a lot of Democrats," and plans to get the word out to Yuba, Colusa, and Sutter counties that he is a "middle of the road" moderate Democrat who understands who they are, what they need and that he can "genuinely and sincerely represent them."

At 68 years old, Rouse is somewhat new to the world of politics, comparatively, but he remains unruffled by the odds.

"I'm a rural county Democrat, and I don't shy away from the label. I have been involved in the state's Democratic Party for 10 years and plan on winning in November," he said.

Looking forward to the possibility of proving himself at candidate nights and debates, Rouse wants to show what is different between he and his opponent.

"There is a big political difference between my opponent and myself," he said. "Logue is a very conservative, right wing in the political arena. I am a moderate who will work closely with the Democratic Legislature in Sacramento, and if the opportunity arises, to work with the Republicans, I can and I will."

Rouse retired as a rural postal carrier of the El Camino area nine years ago, and continues to run a small olive orchard in Corning that he and his wife, Angelica, have owned for 36 years.

For the past nine years, he has been a member of the Tehama County Democrat's Central Committee, and while serving on the board was a delegate to state Democratic conventions.