Charlie Brown for Congress (CA-04)

Background:

Charlie was born in 1949. Raised in rural Iowa, he developed his hard work ethic and strong mid-western values early on. He was an avid hunter, who worked on his grandfather’s cattle farm and took his first job while in middle school--unloading railroad cars at the local farm service plant.

As the son of a decorated World War II veteran, Charlie has always understood the importance of defending America. At age 13, he read an article about the Air Force in the Saturday Evening Post, and knew immediately that he wanted to be a pilot. He dedicated himself to that goal, and the hard work paid off. Charlie received a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1968.

After graduating in 1972, he began a distinguished 26-year Air Force career during which he was involved in every U.S. military conflict from Vietnam to Desert Storm.

As a rescue helicopter pilot based in Thailand at the end of the Vietnam War, Charlie participated in the evacuations of Saigon, Phnom Penh, and the infamous Mayaguez Incident•for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In Vietnam, he saw the human cost of faulty equipment and bad intelligence up close. It’s a lesson he’s never forgotten.

After the war, Charlie transitioned to fixed wing aircraft and working with intelligence collection assets. He piloted reconnaissance missions in support of combat operations in Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, and Libya, and flew Cold War related missions around the world. After the first Gulf War, Charlie served two rotations in Saudi Arabia, where he coordinated surveillance flights over Iraq’s “No Fly Zones.”

Whenever or wherever duty has called, Charlie has always been there. He’s served as a flight instructor, flight examiner, budget officer, safety officer, military magistrate, and been responsible for presentations to ambassadors, members of Congress, and foreign officials during his distinguished military career. He also earned his Master’s Degree in Aviation Management from Embry Riddle University in 1985.

Charlie retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1998, but he’s never stopped living the oath he gave when his career began: to lead with honor and integrity, to defend the constitution, to fight for the freedom and security of every American, and most importantly, to “leave no one behind.”

He’s remained true to his values. In 1996, Charlie was elected Chair of the Supervisory Committee of a $5 million local Credit Union. Responsible for fiscal oversight of an institution rife with waste and abuse, Charlie didn’t turn a blind eye. He stood up for the fiscal responsibility that his members deserved.

Charlie continues to serve. He’s earned his California Teaching credential, spent the past 8 years on the Professional Staff of the Roseville Police Department, was elected to two terms as Vice President of the Roseville Police Association, and has been a tireless advocate for veterans rights, seniors, middle class families, and the environment.

In 2006, Charlie was the Democratic nominee for California’s historically conservative 4th Congressional District, where he came within 3 % points (just 9,000 votes) of upsetting 8 term incumbent John Doolittle. Despite the loss, Brown’s strong campaign was credited with helping the Democratic party regain the majority in both houses of Congress, and launching an unprecedented grassroots movement that has forever changed the electoral dynamics of the 4th CD.

Charlie’s wife of 33 years, Jan, also served in the Air Force as a nurse. His son Jeff is an Air Force Captain, who just deployed to his 4th rotation in Iraq. His daughter Stacey is a graduate of UC Irvine. Stacey and Jeff both attended Public Schools, and the Brown’s have lived in Roseville, California for the past 14 years. Charlie is also an avid runner, bicycler, and kayaker.

Goals:

I'm running to restore Integrity, Duty, Honor and Responsibility to our Congress. These have been the guiding principles of my lifelong career in public service, and the standard of leadership needed to reverse the trend of scandal and incompetence that has compromised our security, our standing in the world, our children's future, and our quality of life here at home.

Issues:

We need Comprehensive Ethics Reform, so that the people's business always comes first in Washington. Solving America's problems begins with cleaning up corruption among America's elected leadership.

I've opposed the war in Iraq from day one, and I'll fight to demand real accountability and a swift end to U.S. military involvement in what has descended into a civil war. And I'll demand real support for our troops--so that those who serve will never again be sent into battle without the tools they need to keep America secure and come home safely.

I believe that responsible government keeps its promises to middle class families, seniors, veterans, and children. Our future security and quality of life demand nothing less.

And we must view the challenge of energy independence not just a matter of national security, but a matter of economic opportunity that can strengthen America's economy for generations to come.

Grassroots Support:

People make all the difference.
That's why grassroots organizing has always been the central focus of our campaign--through DFA, Democratic clubs within the 4th District and beyond, and across the internet community.

The 4th CD has long been known as one of the most conservative districts in California, yet on the strength of our unprecedented grassroots mobilization effort in 2006, we came within just 3% of defeating an 8 term GOP incumbent.

Through the internet, canvassing, phonebanking, houseparties, and countless special events, we were able to show people that there are issues that unite us--and that the future of America is not about right vs. left, or Democrat vs. Republican, but right vs. wrong.

The 2006 race forever changed the electoral dynamics in the 4th CD, creating a newly energized grassroots army that is committed to change. By continuing to organize these dedicated activists, we will not be denied in 2008.

DFA Values:

I support individual liberty, small and efficient government, low taxes, and balanced budgets.

When I joined the military 30 years ago, I took an oath to lead with integrity and responsibility, and to defend the constitution of this country. It is a solemn obligation I carry with me to this day.

The backbone of America is personal freedom, equality, and our shared responsibility to offer a better life to our children. I believe this demands a socially progressive and fiscally responsible approach to public policy--that supports all families and fearlessly defends our civil rights including the right of an individual to control his/her own health decisions.

And I believe it means having the right priorities when spending the people's money, so we do not destroy our national retirement system or saddle future generations with the crippling burden of debt.

The current administration has lost sight of these core values. Working with fellow Democrats in Congress, I am confident that I can help safeguard our liberties from further government intrusion and restore fiscal sanity to Washington.