8/18/2009 6:00:00 AM Simcox brings grassroots campaign to Kingman
ERIN TAYLOR/Miner
Chris Simcox, founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and a candidate in the 2010 Senate race, speaks with resident Suzanne Brodbeck after his speech at the Kingman Republican Men's Club meeting Monday. Click here to purchase this photo
KINGMAN - Chris Simcox started his campaign for Senate this year with a Web site, a new suit and a bank balance of zero.
Simcox, the founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, said he doesn't need millions of dollars to unseat John McCain as senator in 2010. Simcox said he is running a grassroots campaign from the bottom up that would put the power back into "the hands of the people."
"I've already lost two campaign managers who've said 'You can't run a campaign this way,'" Simcox said.
But Simcox is unapologetic about his distaste for the federal government and said that if elected, he'll work to defend states' rights.
"I work for the people, period," he said.
Simcox visited Mohave County for the first time Monday and spoke to the Kingman Republican Men's Club about his "rejection of the failed policies of the Washington establishment that includes McCain."
Simcox is most well known for his views on illegal immigration. He founded the Civil Homeland Defense group that enlists citizens to help secure the border. On Monday, Simcox said illegal immigration remains a problem.
"You can connect the dots from that border to every one of our budget problems," he said.
Simcox said he is running as a Republican because of the party's platform, but said he feels many in the party have abandoned those beliefs. He intends his candidacy to be a challenge to the status quo.
A former kindergarten teacher in Los Angeles, Simcox said he became an activist after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He has never held public office, a point of contention for some who heard him speak.
"Am I qualified for the U.S. Senate?" Simcox countered. "All I have to say is Barack Obama and Al Franken."
Simcox's platform of rejecting the "groomed, political elite" seemed to resonate with many in the audience who said they angry with both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Sandi Reynolds said she is frustrated with the federal government and the system the way it is now. She volunteered to serve as an area representative for Simcox's campaign after hearing him speak.
"What good is it to have two parties when they both believe the same thing?" Reynolds said.
Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
There is a lot of money missing from the Minuteman bank account, he never would give an accounting, to me not an honest individual
Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2009
Article comment by:
pvtom
McCain has dropped the ball so many times he should be removed from the team. The Prescott area still has the powerful "good ole boys" who probably will support him though. I will do all I can to kick John McCain off the team.
Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2009
Article comment by:
Carin Wiley
I watched Chris Simcox from the start. i seen him start the boarder fence as was so proud of him. i kept thinking to myself. Why wont he run for office. And now we have him. He has our votes here. McCain is so OUT!!
Posted: Friday, September 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Frederick Haiss
Go Chris get rid of MCCainuism
Posted: Friday, September 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Shirley C
We need new qualified American Citizens born in America legally .We need new blood .We need some one strong to listen to the people of our country and not the ones coming into our country offended by our legal constitutional legal ways of living .We do not need those trying to change things and take God out of our schools.
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
"Republicans need new ideas and new demographics to win in the future, they don't need 1840's ideas."
I've got a new idea for BOTH parties - How about obeying The Constitution? Or was that just a "1700's idea?"
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009
Article comment by:
ONE PROUD VIETNAM VET
Good Luck to you Mr. SIMCOX in your endeavor..
May the Lord & your followers be strong to help you win over the radical thieves we now have in WASHING D.C.
CALL UP THE VIETNAM TROOPS...I am sure they will be by your side in a vote...I AM
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009
Article comment by:
Woody
"Frederico Garcia"... Are you attacking Mr. Simcox because of his political beliefs? Or because he is against illegai immagration? Forgive me for asking... but are you an "American Citizen"? Or a so-called mexican-American?
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Chris hit a bullseye on the illegal issue.Compare his stand to Amnesty John. The
illegals are a costing us millions in welfare, schools and medical. Oh by the way Frederico..We need a fence around our pocketbooks.
Posted: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Article comment by:
Guillermo Tarango
To Reggie - I am a conservative and I attend the TEA parties. I am not a retired White Person.
Posted: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Article comment by:
Cuda
I support Simcox all the way. Already both parties have destroyed this country. We need new blood instead of the same old garbage in Washington.
Posted: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Article comment by:
Reggie in Valle Vista
Rancher is wrong. The Republicans need to grow up and get some new ideas. Their ideas are so old, the Whigs first came up with them. Lincoln, Hoover and Teddy Roosevelt could never meet the ideology test the Rush Limbaugh's of the world give to Republicans. Look at protesting tea baggers, they are all retired white people. Republicans need new ideas and new demographics to win in the future, they don't need 1840's ideas. Grow up will ya.
Posted: Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Peabody
I'm all for new blood in Congress, especially true conservatives. But Arizonans should learn as much as they can about Chris Simcox before hopping on his bandwagon. He's all over the internet; Google him and educate yourself.
Posted: Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Article comment by:
rancher
All conservatives and independent voters in Arizona should support Simcox. We have had too many years of McCain's liberal habits. He is a model fot these liberal republicans who want to make the Republican party a copy of the Democrats. The Republican party needs to revert to its conservative roots. Simcox is a move in the right direction.
Posted: Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Bart
"Am I qualified for the U.S. Senate?" Simcox countered. "All I have to say is Barack Obama and Al Franken."
Hmmm...Is Simcox saying that Obama and Franken were well qualified for the Senate and so is he? In that case he would be going against the prevailing view of the Republican party. Or is he saying they were not qualified for the Senate? In that case I guess that means he isn't qualified either.
Just for the record I hope he gives McCain a run for his money in the primary. Since I will not vote for either person in the general election, it matters not at all to me who wins.
