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San Diego, CA- Navy Commander (Ret.) Mike Lumpkin was the sole candidate waiting when the doors opened at 8:00 a.m. at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office. The 52nd District Congressional Candidate wanted to be the first to pick up the paperwork to begin gathering the three thousand signatures needed to avoid the $1600 filing fee required to get on the ballot for the June 3rd Primary Election.

“I am running my campaign with the same principles that voters can expect from me when I serve them in Congress – integrity, responsibility, and accessibility,” said Lumpkin. Many candidates choose to pay the filing fee because it is easier than collecting voters’ signatures. However, Mike has a different perspective. “I have college students and senior citizens sacrificing $25 of their monthly fixed incomes for my campaign. They have a right to expect that I will do what’s right rather than what’s easy. Besides, signature collection presents a unique opportunity to meet the voters and truly understand what their concerns are.”

Mike Lumpkin was the former Deputy Commander, Joint Special Operations Task Force in Iraq, trained and readied all West Coast SEAL Teams, and served as a liaison to the United States Congress. Mike has a Master’s Degree in National Security Affairs and is recognized by the Department of Defense as a specialist in both the Western Hemisphere and Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict. During his 21 years of service, he has received more than 40 commendations and awards. Mike retired from the Navy on September 1, 2007 and announced his candidacy seven days later.