Core ready to challenge all comers for U.S. House seat

Timothy Core said he used to subscribe to the philosophy of, "you can't complain about government if you don't vote."

But when he decided just voting and complaining wasn't enough, he took the next step a few weeks ago: Planning a 2012 run for the House of Representatives.

"There's doing something, and that's taking a role and making an active difference," said Core, 30, a Yuba City resident and assistant manager at Domino's Pizza. "It's not enough for me to leave a message for a congressman and hope I get a message back."

Core said he'll run as a Republican next year against whoever is representing the Yuba-Sutter area in redrawn congressional districts.

Based on preliminary maps released last month by the California Redistricting Commission, Core said he believes he'll end up facing U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena.

A U.S. Marines veteran, Core said he's got a conservative-libertarian political philosophy at odds with Thompson's tenure in Congress.

"If you look at his voting record, he's pretty horrible for fiscal responsibility," said Core, pointing out Thompson has often voted with his party. "I want someone in office who thinks for themselves."

Core said his two main issues will be energy policy and debt reduction. The nation's approach to energy needs to focus on getting off foreign oil, and emphasizing domestic oil production, alternative energy and legalizing industrial hemp instead, he said.

Though hemp is often touted as a solution by marijuana legalization advocates, Core said, he is not in favor of legalizing marijuana without more studies of possible effects.

The country's leaders also need to get back to balanced budgeting, and making it work on the $2 trillion the U.S. takes in annually, he said.

A San Diego native, Core moved to Yuba City a few years ago with his wife and son, and has a second son on the way.

Though he is facing an uphill battle — in addition to other possible Republican candidates, Thompson has raised $1.12 million for his re-election campaign — Core said he is not in to lose.

"If he beats me, he beats me," Core said. "I'll be back two years later."