Long time 6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte has beaten back every Democratic and independent challenger that has faced him since the mid-1990’s. Now someone from within his own party will take him on in a June 14 primary. Harry Griego, a retired Air Force veteran and pilot, who narrowly lost a primary to incumbent Republican delegate Chris Head last year, has thrown his hat into the ring.
Griego said some may be “intimidated” by Goodlatte, who as chair of the Judiciary committee is “the most powerful Congressman in the House. I’m not going to be intimidated by that. Maybe I just have the drive to serve my country.”
Griego said he doesn’t want to be a politician, “I’d rather be flying jets,” but he sees this as a time to step forward. “I think the Constitution is being neglected. Mr. Goodlatte ran as a constitutionalist but yet he voted for the Patriot Act – that doesn’t make any sense.”
Goodlatte keeps on helping to fund a health care system – Obamacare – that Griego also sees as unconstitutional and doesn’t enforce immigration laws. “People are frustrated by that. He is for amnesty, I am not.”
The Santa Fe, New Mexico native, with Hispanic roots, knows why people cross the southern border illegally, “They want a better life.” The problem, he said, is that both major parties view Hispanics “as a commodity,” a source of votes that helps centralize power.
If they did care, said Griego, they would fight “corrupt governments” that make life so untenable for citizens that they are willing to undertake perilous journeys and live here in the U.S., often serving as a source of cheap labor. “It’s a responsibility of Congress to enforce our laws … it’s not fair to the American taxpayer.”
It’s not about “ripping families apart either. That’s just propaganda,” said Griego, who believes that many will go back if American companies stop hiring illegal aliens. In fact, data suggests that in recent years some aliens have returned to Mexico and other countries as jobs dried up or were filled by legal citizens who needed to work. “When there are no jobs they will go back – and take their families with them,” said Griego.
He is also hoping to take advantage of the prevailing sentiment for an outsider, the movement that has helped fuel the Donald Trump for president campaign. Others view Ted Cruz and Ben Carson as Washington outsiders as well. “The current Congressman has been there for too long. [Goodlatte] promised he would only be there for ten years. For some reason he got a dispensation to stay 23 years now. I‘m really frustrated with the leadership [in Congress]. That’s why I’m doing this.”
Goodlatte has not helped end Obamacare, has not defunded Planned Parenthood or helped shut down the Mexican border as he promised, said Griego – who spent Super Bowl weekend in northern California, helping to shuttle celebrities to the Big Game.
Griego liked Rand Paul as a presidential candidate and his support for the flat tax; and he likes the fact that the current Republican contenders “are fighting it out.” As for his primary campaign before the June 14 election to select a nominee, it will be mostly at the grass-roots level although he is ready to meet Goodlatte on a debate stage. “I love to talk to people.”
By Gene Marrano