I was born in Long Beach on April 12, 1965 and raised primarily in the north Orange County city of Yorba Linda by my mother, Sherrell and my adoptive father, Ron. I have two brothers, Tim and Dallas. During my school years I had only one teacher who was memorable for his ability to make learning an exciting and adventurous time. Lee Pando, at Van Buren Elementary School in Placentia created a desire to learn in me that never ended even though I was a screw-up in every class after his. Boredom in other classes left me time to act out, emotional problems didn't help. 

 

Currently, I am a struggling author of crime-fiction novels. I have one child, a daughter, who is sixteen years old and lives with her mother in Arkansas. Murrieta has been my home since last June. I have also lived in Lake Elsinore, Beaumont and Cherry Valley. My interest in politics comes from my late Grandfather who had me watching the network Sunday news programs every week with him. The first vote I ever cast was for Ronald Reagan for President.

 

My drug and alcohol abuse followed an event that occurred just before my eleventh birthday, I was beaten and brutally raped by a neighbor who threatened to kill my mother if I told anyone what he had done. I believed him. Very soon after, I found that drugs and alcohol could bury my inner pain, my shame, and my fear. It was many years before I sought help and learned that I had done nothing wrong as a child. Where I was wrong was in my decisions to continue using drugs and to commit crimes in order to pay for my habit, which was primarily methamphetamine. I have been to prison seven times for convictions ranging from possession of a destructive device in a public place to identity theft. The shame I wrongfully held for a childhood trauma was nothing compared to the shame I feel for my actions against my fellow citizens. I love this country and while I have spent the majority of my adult life acting otherwise, I have never allowed the conservative principles that my grandfather taught me to leave my soul. I apologize for my actions in the past that have cost you, the taxpayer, untold dollars for my incarceration costs. I am running for this Congressional seat because it is not only time that I give back to the Country that I have disgraced by my actions, but because I have a vision that I believe can advance this country in the direction of widespread prosperity. I do not want to make a career of being a Congressman. I only wish to bring about common sense renewal to government. I believe that three terms as a member of the Hose is plenty for any person and two terms in the Senate should be enough. My unique status as an ex-felon will allow me to step upon the media pulpit and argue my positions while they attack me personally. I can handle the personal attacks to come because the issues are much more important than me. 

  

You, the Voter, will determine if I am to be allowed to be deemed rehabilitated. I do not ask forgiveness for my past. That is something I own completely. However, I do ask for your vote based upon the positions I hold as well as the solutions I have presented. Thank you for your time and consideration

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Robert Rand,

Candidate for the 42nd Congressional District for the State of California