BEN DEWELL
The people of the 20th Congressional District deserve an independent representative as independent as those who live in the 20th – not in the Washington Beltway, understands the needs of its residents from a very personal perspective – not the moneyed positions of the wealthy elite, one who is as Independent as the people of the 20th are independent, and who will uphold their solemn oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States – not the whims of any authoritarian wannabe.
I am an 11th generation American and a native Californian, raised in the San Joaquin Valley. I hold a Master of Science in Atmospheric Science from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from California State University, Fresno. I’ve forecasted weather as a meteorologist for the specific needs of the world’s most productive agricultural economy, offering the first privately computer accessible forecasts prior to the existence of the world wide web. I currently serve as Director on the Hearing Board of the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District, inclusive of mining interests and aerospace industries. I am also a Director with the Stallion Springs Community Service District. I am a fiscal conservative, social pragmatist, always looking for ways to solve the unsolvable.
Important Issues
DEMOCRACY:
Paramount to any other issue at this moment in time is the future of our Democracy. The survival of our American Democracy, humanity’s first and most durable democracy and the light of the world’s oppressed, must be protected against all enemies, foreign or domestic. The right of self determination and the principle that those who lead do so only by the authority of those led must be held sacrosanct.
THE ECONOMY:
From the price of gas to the cost of milk and eggs, inflation is eating away at American’s incomes at a startling rate. Nobody knows this better than those of us on fixed incomes, and families. I am with you because I am one of you.
CLIMATE CHANGE:
Anthropogenic (man made) climate change is settled science – as much as gravity is. What man hath wrought, man can correct. Although fossil fuels will continue to be an important resource, the continued transition to renewable alternatives must be encouraged and supported if further warming is to be avoided.
IMMIGRATION:
In America, unless we are Native American, we all come from somewhere else. Immigration and citizenry demands accountable and orderly policies so that both citizens and immigrants understand their responsibilities and obligations. The dignity of work and family must be upheld for those willing to come to this nation to do the jobs that Americans won’t. America needs strong, respected boundaries for both security and economic reasons.
AMERICA’S WILDLANDS:
America’s wildlands, the envy of the world, are our heritage. We protect them because our children have a right to see untrammeled places – a grizzly bear, a 2000 year old tree, a wild river, a glacier, or simply to hear the wind singing on a high peak.
California's New 20th
The 20th is as diverse as it is large, encompassing farmland, mountain, and desert communities in Kern, Tulare, Kings and Fresno counties.
Agriculture
Ranching
Aerospace
As stipulated by the US Constitution a census is conducted every 10 years. The Covid delayed 2020 census required redrawing of California’s Congressional Districts. The new 20th Congressional District contains much of the previous 23rd, with some significant differences:
- The eastern boundary of the 20th now runs upward from Kern County along the crest of the Sierra Nevada. Inyo County and Owens Valley locations are no longer within the 20th.
- Two large western oriented arms have been added to the top of 20th: The southernmost arm contains parts of Tulare and Kings Counties, including Lemoore (NAS) and parts of Tulare and Visalia. The northernmost arm protruding into Fresno County is defined by the San Joaquin River, notably including much of Clovis.
- California City is excluded from the 20th (i.e., now within the new 23rd, along with Barstow).
- Los Angeles County (i.e., Lancaster) is no longer within the 20th at all. The 20th southern boundary now runs along the Kern County to Los Angeles County boundary.
The Oath of Office
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter.”
About Donations
to
BEN DEWELL FOR CONGRESS
Ben cannot run for CA–20 without your support! All Donations to Ben’s official campaign, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) registered BEN DEWELL FOR CONGRESS, are handled by two third party on-line political fundraising platforms, ActBlue, and the non-partisan, Raise the Money. Ben’s FEC registered campaign committee, BEN DEWELL FOR CONGRESS, may be searched on the FEC site, and secure donations made directly on either platform. Please support BEN DEWELL FOR CONGRESS on whichever fundraising platform you are comfortable with.
