April 18, 2010

VACAVILLE — Let no one question whether the Tea Party movement has local support.

The Solano County Tea Party Patriots packed the Three Oaks Community Center on Saturday for their event called “That's the Ticket.” Organizers said they had about 19 candidates for county and state offices scheduled to speak at the three-hour event.

“Basically we will be asking three questions,” said organizer Mike Hudson. “Why are you running, why should we vote for you and what can we do to help?”

The event was billed not as a debate but as a meet-and-greet, where attendees would have the opportunity to get aquatinted with the candidates off-stage.

Candidates include Solano County Supervisor candidates John Vasquez and Don Pippo, U.S. Senate candidate Chuck DeVore, Solano County Assessor-Recorder candidate David Thacker, Seventh Congressional District candidate Rick Tubbs, Eighth Congressional District candidate John Dennis and Eighth Assembly District candidate Michelle Connor.

In his remarks to the audience, Hudson outlined the group's beliefs. He said they include lower taxes, smaller government and protection of Constitutional rights.

“I guess I mostly know who I'm going to vote for because there are a lot (of candidates) on the ballot that are not acceptable,” said Joe Morris, who was standing at the back of the room. “I want to see if there's anyone who really speaks to me who needs help.”

The Solano Tea Party Patriots was organized about four months ago by local residents who had previously been traveling to the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento for Tea Party events.

For more information, visit http://solanoteapartypatriots.com.

By Ben Antonius - DAILY REPUBLIC