Quang X. Pham drops out of 47th CD race

Just off the wires. OC Weekly’s Scott Moxley has reported that Quang X. Pham will not compete in the GOP primary race to challenge incumbent (D) Loretta Sanchez.

Following is the headline and excerpts from the OC Weekly report:

Quang Pham Leaves Race To Unseat Rep. Loretta Sanchez

By R. Scott Moxley, Friday, Mar. 5 2010 @ 9:00AM

 “If Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez hoped to enjoy watching a wildly bloody primary to determine her November Republican general election opponent, that scenario has become less likely this morning. Quang Pham–the well-spoken, first-time candidate who has been vying for the GOP nomination against Assemblyman Van Tran, Tan Nguyen and Kathy Smith–announced today that he’s no longer a candidate.

“Winning a seat in Congress requires a full commitment of time and money,” said Pham, who served as a Marine before becoming CEO of his own company, Lathian Health. “Yet, my employees and my business now need all of my focus. So, after careful consideration, I have decided to suspend my candidacy in the race for the Republican nomination in the 47th Congressional District.”

A second factor influenced Pham’s decision. “The dynamics of the race have changed significantly,” he said.

That is, in part, a reference to Tan Nguyen’s recent surprise entrance into the primary. Nguyen is the controversial but crushed 2008 Sanchez challenger awaiting federal trial for allegedly violating laws in that race by secretly funding a voting-could-get-you-arrested letter sent to households with Latino names. Tran, Pham and Nguyen would have likely diluted electoral support, leaving Smith the sole beneficiary.

To read the entire Moxley report simply go to the following link:

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/breaking-news/if-congresswoman-loretta-sanch/#more


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