Chad Condit, a Ceres native - who stood by his father, former Rep. Gary Condit, in a scandal that left him in political ruin - is now a declared candidate for Congress.
Condit made his announcement by opening a website (www.chadcondit.com) which provides thumbnail views and quips on issues, biographical background and accepts campaign donations.
Condit, 44, who had been a political consultant for local Democrats, is running as an independent against incumbent Rep. Jeff Denham in the 10th Congressional District. The newly redrawn district includes Ceres, the place where Condit grew up, all of Stanislaus County and the southern portion of San Joaquin County, including Tracy, Manteca, Ripon and Escalon.
"The Valley has sent both Republicans and Democrats to Congress," reads Condit's website. "It doesn't seem to matter anymore. Both parties are controlled in D.C. Our congressmen give the same partisan, cookie-cutter answers on virtually every issue.
"Congress was not always this partisan. It was not that many years ago when Independent Democrats and Independent Republicans worked together to resolve problems. The partisan Washington crowd, on both sides, has silenced the independent thinkers.
"If the people of this community will stand behind me, there is nothing Washington can offer, nor any threat Washington can make that can compare to what I have already seen. I know their game. I will be respectful, mindful for the opportunity to find common ground, but unswayed by their efforts to cajole or intimidate. Truly Independent. That's what makes me different."
The race has also attracted two Democrats who appear to be underfunded against the incumbent freshmen congressman. Jose Hernandez, a former astronaut and Democrat, has amassed $130,527 according to his candidate statement filed Dec. 31. Denham, by contrast, had $809,527 in his campaign warchest. Mike Barkley, another Democrat, appears to be readying for a candidacy.
Both Chad and sister Cadee Condit became national media figures, appearing on Larry King Live while their father, then 53, took a drubbing for his role in a scandal centered on the disappearance of D.C. intern Chandra Levy, 23, of Modesto. After Condit's defeat by Dennis Cardoza in 2002, Levy's decomposed body turned up in a park near her apartment. Gary Condit was not a suspect in her death but was identified as her lover, according to prosecutors who had Ingmar Guandrique on trial for murder. On Nov. 22, 2010, Guandique was found guilty of first-degree murder, and was sentenced in 2011 to 60 years in prison.
After Condit lost his seat, he moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., where Chad helped his father operate two Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlors in 2005 and 2006. The arrangement ended in a 2007 lawsuit. The chain sued the Condits over unpaid franchise, advertising and late fees. The Condits also failed to pay sales tax receipts. A judge in Arizona ruled that the Condits were to pay Baskin-Robbins $44,431 for past fees - and $60,000 in attorneys' fees which were amassed partially because the Condits consistently remained elusive from company officials seeking payment.
Chad Condit was born in 1967 in Oklahoma and moved to Ceres when he was 2 months old. He attended Ceres High School, Modesto Junior College, Stanislaus State University. Condit operated C/C Political Consulting and Polling before serving in the Navy from 1991 to 1995. He graduated from Saint Leo College while serving in the Navy. He also served as a Chief of Staff in the California State Assembly 1997, as Assistant to the Governor in 1999, and served as Senior Legislative Assistant for the California State Assembly since 2011.
Chad and wife Helen have three children, Channce, 22, Couper, 16, and Gary, 11.
Condit made his announcement by opening a website (www.chadcondit.com) which provides thumbnail views and quips on issues, biographical background and accepts campaign donations.
Condit, 44, who had been a political consultant for local Democrats, is running as an independent against incumbent Rep. Jeff Denham in the 10th Congressional District. The newly redrawn district includes Ceres, the place where Condit grew up, all of Stanislaus County and the southern portion of San Joaquin County, including Tracy, Manteca, Ripon and Escalon.
"The Valley has sent both Republicans and Democrats to Congress," reads Condit's website. "It doesn't seem to matter anymore. Both parties are controlled in D.C. Our congressmen give the same partisan, cookie-cutter answers on virtually every issue.
"Congress was not always this partisan. It was not that many years ago when Independent Democrats and Independent Republicans worked together to resolve problems. The partisan Washington crowd, on both sides, has silenced the independent thinkers.
"If the people of this community will stand behind me, there is nothing Washington can offer, nor any threat Washington can make that can compare to what I have already seen. I know their game. I will be respectful, mindful for the opportunity to find common ground, but unswayed by their efforts to cajole or intimidate. Truly Independent. That's what makes me different."
The race has also attracted two Democrats who appear to be underfunded against the incumbent freshmen congressman. Jose Hernandez, a former astronaut and Democrat, has amassed $130,527 according to his candidate statement filed Dec. 31. Denham, by contrast, had $809,527 in his campaign warchest. Mike Barkley, another Democrat, appears to be readying for a candidacy.
Both Chad and sister Cadee Condit became national media figures, appearing on Larry King Live while their father, then 53, took a drubbing for his role in a scandal centered on the disappearance of D.C. intern Chandra Levy, 23, of Modesto. After Condit's defeat by Dennis Cardoza in 2002, Levy's decomposed body turned up in a park near her apartment. Gary Condit was not a suspect in her death but was identified as her lover, according to prosecutors who had Ingmar Guandrique on trial for murder. On Nov. 22, 2010, Guandique was found guilty of first-degree murder, and was sentenced in 2011 to 60 years in prison.
After Condit lost his seat, he moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., where Chad helped his father operate two Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlors in 2005 and 2006. The arrangement ended in a 2007 lawsuit. The chain sued the Condits over unpaid franchise, advertising and late fees. The Condits also failed to pay sales tax receipts. A judge in Arizona ruled that the Condits were to pay Baskin-Robbins $44,431 for past fees - and $60,000 in attorneys' fees which were amassed partially because the Condits consistently remained elusive from company officials seeking payment.
Chad Condit was born in 1967 in Oklahoma and moved to Ceres when he was 2 months old. He attended Ceres High School, Modesto Junior College, Stanislaus State University. Condit operated C/C Political Consulting and Polling before serving in the Navy from 1991 to 1995. He graduated from Saint Leo College while serving in the Navy. He also served as a Chief of Staff in the California State Assembly 1997, as Assistant to the Governor in 1999, and served as Senior Legislative Assistant for the California State Assembly since 2011.
Chad and wife Helen have three children, Channce, 22, Couper, 16, and Gary, 11.
