Can You Vote For Me?

Here is the map of California's 36th Congressional District.  If you live with these boundaries, please make sure you vote for Katherine Pilot on May 17th, 2011.

For a more detailed map please click here.

How to Contribute

Your assistance in my campaign is welcomed!  Right now, you can print this blog post which also is your donation form, fill out your information, and send a check made out to "Katherine Pilot for Congress" to the address below the form.

Your name: ____________________________________

Address: ______________________________________

City: _________________________________________

State: ________________  Zip: ____________________

Phone: ________________________________________

Occupation: ____________________________________

Employer: _____________________________________

The Federal Election Commission and campaign finance laws require that the above information is collected for individuals whose contributions exceed $200.

As I ask for folks to contribute to my campaign, please be aware of the following contribution limitations -

• the maximum allowed contribution per individual is $2,500 per election cycle; husbands and wives are considered separate, and married couples can contribute a maximun of $5,000
• contributions are not deductable on federal income tax filings as charitable donations
• corporate contributions cannot be accepted

Please send yor check via mail to:

Katherine Pilot for Congress

531 Pier Ave.

Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Filing Process Complete

I received the call from the Los Angeles County Clerk's Office that I have successfully completed the filing process! 

This was very exciting news, and I need to thank those who signed my petitions. 

Now, the focus is shifting to May 17th.  Gaining support for this race is important to me.  There is a lot of competition, but I have found many voters who are pleased to have me as an option to represent them.

What’s important to Katherine Pilot?

Katherine is for fewer taxes and less government, while making sure that each federal tax dollar goes as far as possible.  Since she is an average citizen, she has her values to campaign on, not lobbyists or political ties. 

The below is - What’s important to Katherine Pilot?

Building Business – There needs to be better incentive for business in the United States of America.  Many of the strict regulations that are hampering businesses from starting, and staying open, need to be reduced or eliminated to allow for the opportunity to stimulate the economy in the private sector. 

Aerospace and global trade from our air and sea ports are large contributors to our economy, and keeping our large industries safe and prosperous is vital to our way of life.

Energy – I find our domestic energy sources need to be used to their full potential.  In addition, we have to develop and encourage inexpensive, clean, safe energy which includes nuclear and natural gas.  We have great refineries in the district that keep jobs in the area.  Being dependant on foreign oil is directly reflected at the gas pump where to fill up a 15 gallon tank, I just spent $50.  Donald Trump recently had great points about OPEC and nuclear energy when interviewed by Neil Cavuto.  

Your Bailout – We funded it, but I don’t see a change.  Instead, the banks have continued to raise your interest rates putting the American public further behind at managing their own debt.  These same banks are reluctant to loan that bailout money back out to us.  As a nation, we still have a federal deficit and budget imbalance, but our tax dollars went to bailout of the financial firms' poor wagers.  What I learned growing up was if you are not willing to lose it, don’t place your bet.

Border Security & Immigration Reform – Enforcement is key.  There are already federal laws that address immigration, and they need to be enforced.  A rework of the visa system for allowing labor into the USA so immigrants can work and become part of the American culture is important.  An improved tracking system of visa recipients is also necessary to continue our security within our borders.  I fully support use of E-Verify in the public and private sector.

Fiscal Responsibility – One should not spend more than they earn… this is a very important rule that gas not been followed for quite some time.  When faced with so many spending commitments, I do not agree to additionally tax the public or business, we need to find the necessities and remove the frivolous expenditures.  Cutting back is most of the answer.  Eliminating bureaucracy within government would be a large relief to the tax payer, allowing for those tax dollars to be utilized appropriately. 

Look for more to come shortly.

Signatures, Fees, and Deadlines, Oh My!

There have been a lot of developments since we last chatted!

On Monday, March 14th, 2011, Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor of California, made the special election proclamation regarding the 36th Congressional District vacancy.  By doing this, all of the time lines were set for the primary and general election.

Now, I will say, that petitions were available beginning March 1, but this information wasn't posted on the Secretary of State website under candidate information until what I believe was March 7.  It was March 15 that all of the information regarding the requirements and deadlines was actually posted for the rest of us (who are not in the know) to be informed. 

So, I have been fully versed in how difficult it is for an average citizen to run for congress.  I'm sure a few of the other candidates have their staff, secretary, campaign manager, etc. going around to get the essential signatures, fees, information, and finance reports.  I do not.  I was doing drive-bys to various friends' homes to chat up folks in the district and explain that by signing the petition, they are just allowing me to get on the primary ballot; they are allowing someone to participate in the process.

The next deadline in March 17th, so instead of filling out my NCAA bracket, I am counting signatures, and making sure I am ready to get my nomination packet. 

You may be curious to know the process of getting on the ballot for a primary election for congress... well, the qualifications-requirements information posted on Tuesday morning explains the details.  I will say, that the financials provided seem modest (filing fee equal to 1% of the first year salary) at first.  No where in the information posted is the voter guide mentioned.  I will let you know, it is not free to get in the voter guide, nor is the cost covered in your filing fee.  I will say that I had to ask for the amount to get my blurb added to the voter guide... and I'm looking into the campaign finance laws to start fundraising.  If my blurb is in there, it will be because my supporters make it happen.

I do have a new-found respect for those who stand in front of the grocery store getting signatures for whatever cause.  I wasn't asking for money, or too much of anyone's time; I wasn't going to mail those folks anything, but plenty of people are so negative about it.  I will need to thank my mom, it was great to hear her ask folks if they are registered voters followed by "my daughter is running for congress".

So everybody - LOOK OUT!!!!  The primary is May 17, 2011!!!!

Proof the Average Citizen isn't in Congress

There has been a great report that developed at the beginning of March (but really got legs on 3/9/11), that proves that the average citizen has a hard time getting elected.  It is difficult for people like me, someone with a full-time job who doesn't break six-figures, to win elections.  The newest congressional freshman class is brimming with millionaires. 

Congressional freshman class filled with millionaires

These folks have a large amount of wealth... and good for them.  They can spend plenty of their own money on a campaign for a job that makes only a small fraction of that... very similiar to the President, spending hundreds of millions to get elected to a job that pay $300k +.

I am closer to the voter I want to represent... I worry about my job, my finances, my home, on a daily basis.  I have a deep desire to make better for those who will come after me.

Who is Katherine Pilot?

Ever since a seat became available in the 36th Congressional District, I've been researching, discussing, and actively communicating my intention to get on the primary ballot for this election.  You may wonder, who is this gal with a blog who wants to represent the 36th District in Congess?

I am Katherine Pilot.  I grew up in what is referred to as the South Bay, as locals know.  I have lived in the district I aim to represent for many years.  I received my Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunication from Purdue University. 

I have worked in what I consider to be the two largest industries in Southern California, the entertainment industry and the shipping industry.  For the 36th District, many residents are affected by one or the other on a day to day basis, or they are working in one of those industries.  These industries are the main providers of the blue-collar jobs in the area; folks who clock-in and clock-out and earn an honest living.  Both of these industries seem to be over-regulated, forcing the price of business up and the work to go elsewhere.  The loss of jobs, or loss of potential jobs, is something I am very concerned over.  I want to keep jobs in America, and I want my district to benefit from that.

Now, you may be asking, "What political party are you in?"  For all those people who like to label, and place people in a box, I have always been a registered Republican.  If you consider this to be a dirty word, this happened because it runs in the family, and most of all, my viewpoint is typically more aligned with those fundamentals.  I have worked in industries which are mostly Democrat.  Unfortuantely, I have noticed that I do not feel represented by either major party.  I am in the middle... I don't believe in government increasing their scope of influence too large.  I believe in financial responsibility and saving for the rainy day, because as we have recently learned, THE rainy day will come.

Well, we do have some time to get to know eachother... feel free to ask questions about what you find important.