What They’re Saying
What Are They Saying…
…About Damon Dunn
The Future Of The Republican Party? “Damon Dunn has captured the attention of the California Republican Party, as well as the conservative, independent and youthful voters of the state; many are starting to label him the “future of the Republican Party” (Eric Hogue, “Damon Dunn, ‘Is He The Future?” Eric Hogue, KTKZ-1380, 11/20/09)
Damon Dunn Gathering Big Name Support. “Republican political rookie Damon Dunnsuprising run for Secretary of State appears to be catching on with some big party names: he’s been endorsed by GOP State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher– a rising star in the CA Republican Party — just days after getting the nod from former State Senate GOP leader James Brulte.” (Carla Marinucci, “GOP Secretary of State Candidate Damon Dunn Gathering Big Name Support,” San Francisco Chronicle, 12/3/09)
Bowen Taking Dunn Seriously. “The campaign team for Democratic incumbent Debra Bowen said it is taking Dunn’s candidacy seriously, given a host of early endorsements he has garnered from influential Republicans.” (Cathleen Decker, “Damon Dunn Wants Voter To Do What He Didn’t,” Los Angeles Times, 12/6/09)
A Breath Of Fresh Air For The Party. “I’ll say this about Damon, you won’t find a more purposed candidate in the SOS race for the GOP. During my 30-minute conversation with Dunn at 1380 KTKZ, numerous station employees poked their heads into the studio during commercial breaks to shake his hand, make his acquaintance and remark on how he is a breath of fresh air for the party. Mission accomplished, when you’re talking about staffers at a 24/7 political talk radio station.” (Eric Hogue, “Damon Dunn, ‘Is He The Future?” Eric Hogue, KTKZ-1380, 11/20/09)
Bowen Running Scared. “So who or what has the California Secretary of State Debra Bowen running scared? … Reason: Damon Dunn. Damon’s background is filled with real service to his community and a belief in helping others achieve their potential. He has dedicated his life to mentoring underprivileged children, running educational programs for Latino parents, and giving comfort to the dying and ill.” (Jon Fleischman, “Why Is Debra Bowen Running Scared?,” FlashReport, 12/7/09)
What California Needs. “You might be really what California needs, because most of the people that are Democrats usually starts from home. I was a Democrat because my mom and dad was. But I always had thought like a Republican. I always thought like a Republican.” (Jean, Anthony Vultaggio, New Thought Revolution, KLAA Radio, 11/9/09)
A Compelling Story. “His background is jammed with community service — mentoring underprivileged kids, visiting with the dying and ill, helping with soup kitchens and hospital foundations and in schools, where he forwards the argument that education and faith can save even the neediest children.” (Cathleen Decker, “Damon Dunn Wants Voter To Do What He Didn’t,” Los Angeles Times, 12/6/09)
Not Your Father’s Republican. “Dunn is not your father’s Republican.” (Dave Bryan, KCAL-9- Los Angeles, 11/06/09)
Blown Away By Damon Dunn. “On last Monday night, November 16, I saw Mr. Dunn speak at the Orange County GOP Central Committee Meeting and was quite literally blown away. The man has a uniquely magnetic charisma, a message equitable to the phenomenon that we saw with Obama, and has lived one of the most inspiring lives I’ve heard of lately. … The excitement he exudes with his candidacy is one which the Republican party hasn’t seen lately.” (Ryan Hougardy, “Dreamin’ Damon Dunn,” The California Review, 11/21/09)
Dunn- A Fresh Face and Life Story. “In his bid to unseat incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Debra Bowen – a 14-year veteran of the Legislature who oversees state elections, business filings and campaign finance data – Dunn has what some Republicans see as a fresh face and life story.” (Carla Marinucci, “GOP Candidate Damon Dunn Only Voted Once,” San Francisco Chronicle, 11/12/09)
A Great Speaker, A Great Advocate. “You are a far better speaker than either of them, and a far better advocate for your party and your cause and I am thinking they may have the positions of the ticket screw-up.” (Gil Gross, KGO AM 810 – San Francisco, 11/18/09)
KGO Radio: The Most Interesting Hour. “Probably the most interesting hour I have ever done with someone running for Secretary of State. I have to tell you that is instant snooze and it wasn’t.” (Gil Gross, KGO AM 810 – San Francisco, 11/18/09)
Dunn Crisscrosses The State. “So far, Dunn has the backing of several prominent Republicans as he seeks to unseat Democatic incumbent Debra Bowen. Former Inland lawmaker and state GOP leader Jim Brulte is backing Dunn.” (Duane Gang, “Dunn crisscrosses state in his first campaign,” Riverside Press Enterprise, 12/3/09)
Damon Dunn Has Come A Long Way. “He has come a long way. Dunn overcame his humble beginnings, after growing up in a rural Texas trailer park.” (Dave Bryan, KCAL-9- Los Angeles, 11/06/09)
The Damon Dunn Story. “Dunn was born in Texas to a 16-year-old teen-aged mother who handed him over to two sets of grandparents to raise. His father died when he was 3 years old. He grew up dirt poor. And his family never voted, a trait he emulated throughout his adult life. … Dunn, an articulate speaker and licensed Baptist minister, says he will use the Secretary of State’s pulpit as a place to advocate for job-friendly state policies. In addition to elections and state archives, the SOS oversees the registration of all businesses in California.” (Lisa Vorderbrueggen, “‘Recovering Non-Voter’ Enters SOS Race,” Contra Costa Times, 11/11/09)
Damon Dunn’s Road. “Damon Dunn, he is running for Secretary of State of California, he is a former NFL football player, grew up with humble means, a single mom, in a trailer park, went to Stanford, Harvard, [and is] an entrepreneur.” (Anthony Vultaggio, New Thought Revolution, KLAA Radio, 11/9/09)
Dunn Working Hard. “‘Look at my life – I’ve shown up and I’ve served,’ he [Damon Dunn] said. ‘My actions are so much louder than my words. What you do is who you are.’ He’s certainly working hard at it, at least – he said he’s doing 17 media interviews this week while also meeting with party and donor gatherings. Soon after our interview today, his campaign rolled out a news release announcing his endorsement by former state Senate and Assembly Republican Leader Jim Brulte.” (Josh Richman, “A Sit-Down With Damon Dunn, Oakland Tribune,” 11/18, 2009)
You Should Pay Attention To Damon Dunn Now. “Young and innovative; charismatic and inspiring. I am inclined to say that Damon Dunn may be the ideal candidate and someone that each of us should pay attention to now and in the future.” (Ryan Hougardy, “Dreamin’ Damon Dunn,” The California Review, 11/21/09)
A Democrat Heart, But A Republican Brain. “Hi Damon, you know, I always thought I was a Republican, but my husband told me that Republicans have money and I didn’t have any. I think if we would take someone like you to get more African American people to see that, see Republicans right now don’t have nobody out there speaking like they want us to be a Republican. … As much as I have been wanting to be a Republican, I think I have a Democratic heart with a Republican way of thinking. That is what I think.” (Jean, Anthony Vultaggio, New Thought Revolution, KLAA Radio, 11/9/09) Erased Any Doubts. “Anybody who had any doubts, or thought he is just an ex-NFL player he probably has not passion for this, he is just looking for something to do, I think you have erased that doubt here in the first half-hour alone.” (Gil Gross, KGO AM 810 – San Francisco, 11/18/09)
Dunn Offers Challenge To Bowen. “He issued a challenge – to be consummated after the primary, of course – to debate incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Debra Bowen at Allen Temple Baptist Church or some other large, African-American community venue in Oakland. She’ll have the voter-registration edge but he’ll walk out of the room with overwhelming support due to his ability to empathize and connect with voters, he promised. ‘They’ve got no compelling reason to vote for her, none.’” (Josh Richman, “A Sit-Down With Damon Dunn,” Oakland Tribune, 11/18/09)
Democratic Strategist: Don’t Count Dunn Out. “[Democratic strategist Darry] Sragow says Dunn shouldn’t be counted out, even if some people consider his bid to be a Hail Mary pass. ‘The great thing about politics … is that anything can happen,’ he said.” (Carla Marinucci, “GOP Candidate Damon Dunn Only Voted Once,” San Francisco Chronicle, 11/12/09)
Stay Tuned, This Race Could Get More Interesting. (Carla Marinucci, “GOP Secretary of State Candidate Damon Dunn Gathering Big Name Support,” San Francisco Chronicle, 12/3/09)
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