NEWS RELEASE
Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com
Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director 619-447-3246 / [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hunger Strike Day 11: Candidate Lutz claims victory, breaks fast today
Lutz announces new national organization to carry on efforts
San Diego County, Calif. (August 23, 2010) – After 11 days of fasting, Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz has announced that with the founding of a new national organization (Debate for Democracy) to carry on the fight for congressional debates, he will finally agree to eat something.
“Now that I know the fight for debates will continue, I feel it’s time to have a bite,” Lutz said.
Lutz, whose fast lasted longer than Gandhi’s 1932 starvation, ate his first regular meal just after 2 p.m. on Monday, at Pat & Oscar’s restaurant in El Cajon. He had been phasing himself back into nourishment with some vegetable broth and a bit of fruit over the weekend.
Lutz’s new, non-partisan organization, DebateforDemocracy.org was founded after Lutz encountered other congressional challengers who faced incumbents who were also hesitant to engage in formal debates.
“I just made a few phone calls, and immediately realized this was a national problem,” Lutz said. “Congressman Hunter isn’t the only incumbent ducking debates. But he might be the only combat veteran afraid to face his opponent.”
On DebateforDemocracy.org, citizens, candidates and incumbents alike are invited to sign a pledge to support debates in their districts and if they are candidates, to debate their opponents an adequate number of times in locations that ensure most of their constituents will have the opportunity to attend and present questions. Already there are Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Greens as who have taken the pledge. The organization will research options for promoting debates in every district in the country, using the bright shining light of public review, involving the creation of a Commission on Congressional Debates (CCD), or perhaps enhancing the role of the Federal Election Commission.
Rick Tubbs, Republican challenger in California’s 7th Congressional District and a Debate for Democracy pledge-taker, said “Debates between candidates are the best way to inform the voters about where those trying to represent them stand on the issues. There is no big money involved, just the candidates standing on their own making their case to the voter.”
“Election debates are a traditional part of the American process, they go all the way back to Lincoln,” said Lutz. “It’s an effective way to help voters see where there candidates stand on this issues – and that strengthens our republic.”
The Lutz for Congress campaign would like to advise anyone who wants to “Hunger Strike” to lose weight to make sure they consult with their doctor and be very careful how they end the fast. Complete abstinence from food can be dangerous.
For more information on Ray Lutz for Congress, visit:http://www.VoteRayLutz.com/
For media inquiries, contact Brennan Purtzer, media coordinator, at 619.447.3246