Matt Lindland running for political office

T-Bone · 03-12-2008, 09:29 AM

Is this MMA forum worthy b/c it's Lindland...or Off Topic ??

KPIC CBS 4 is reporting that Lindland has thrown his name into the Oregon primary race in an attempt to become the Republican nominee for a local House seat.

They refer to him as an ultimate fighting champion. See below...

Quote:

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Looks like the wind is still at the backs of Oregon Democrats.

When the deadline to file to run for political office in Oregon passed on Tuesday, Republicans were left without a candidate for several critical offices, including the attorney general's post and several races against state House and Senate Democrats whom both sides considered vulnerable.

The party's inability to field a candidate for the attorney general's race means the Democrat who emerges from the May primary - either Rep. Greg Macpherson of Lake Oswego or Lewis & Clark law professor John Kroger - will become the state's next top lawyer.

A spokeswoman for the state GOP said Republicans recruited former party chair Kevin Mannix for the race, but he decided to run for Congress when U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-West Linn, opted not to seek re-election.

The GOP previously announced candidates in the other statewide races, treasurer, secretary of state and the U.S. Senate.

Republican leaders acknowledge that attempts to rebuild their party in Oregon will have to begin in the state House of Representatives, where Democrats enter the election season with a 31-29 majority.

The party is targeting a gain of two-to-four seats, enough to retake the majority. Democrats, however, say they plan to be competitive in at least 10 districts that are either in Republican hands or open because of a retirement or resignation.

Democrats need at least five seats to get to a three-fifths majority in the chamber, enough votes to pass new taxes. They'd need nine seats for a two-thirds majority, allowing them virtually complete control over the legislative agenda.

The GOP failed to field candidates against a handful of freshman Democrats, several of whom won their seats two years ago by narrow margins. First-term Rep. Chris Edwards of Eugene escaped a contested race, as did Rep. Jean Cowan of Newport, who won her 2006 election by only 792 votes.

Instead, Republicans appear to have pinned their hopes on knocking off some more entrenched Democrats, particularly in Washington County, a former Republican stronghold. House Minority Leader Bruce Hanna of Roseburg said the party believes it has particularly strong candidates to take on Democratic incumbents Arnie Roblan of Coos Bay, Chuck Riley of Hillsboro and Larry Galizio of Tigard-Tualatin.

As for the state Senate, Republicans are looking for a pickup of at least one seat, the one previously held by state Sen. Ben Westlund, a former Republican who switched parties midway through his term and is now running for state treasurer. Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin acknowledged that the seat will be difficult for his party to hang onto, though there are two Democratic contenders.

And Republicans fielded no candidate against the two Senate Democrats that both sides had fingered as beatable: Sen. Laurie Monnes-Anderson of Gresham and Sen. Joanne Verger of Coos Bay. Recruiting had been difficult, particularly in a chamber where newcomers would be assured of being in the minority, said Michael Gay, a spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli.

"It's the first time since 1998 that I won't have an opponent," Monnes-Anderson said.

Democrats throughout the Capitol were in sunny moods on Tuesday. Michele Rosolo, executive director of FuturePAC, the House Democrat's campaign recruitment and fundraising arm, reeled off a list of 10 seats, some of them vacated by retiring Republicans, others held by GOP incumbents, where she thinks her party has a solid shot in November. Rosolo said Democrats like their chances in seats vacated by retirees in Canby, the Troutdale area, Wilsonville and eastern Multnomah County/Hood River.

They are also planning challenges to a handful of Republican incumbents, including Rep. Linda Flores of Clackamas, Rep. John Lim of Gresham, Rep. John Huffman of The Dalles and Rep. Chuck Burley of Bend.

Perhaps the most intriguing race is in Lake Oswego/Southwest Portland, one of the wealthiest districts in the state. It's been represented by Macpherson, who left to run for attorney general. Though Democrats predict they'll hang onto the seat easily, Republicans are just as confident in predicting a pickup there.

And, as is traditional on the filing deadline day, there were a few last-minute surprises. Republican House hopefuls will include both a former U.S. Congressman, Jim Bunn, who filed on Tuesday for the McMinnville seat held by retiring Rep. Donna Nelson, and an ultimate fighting champion, middleweight Matt Lindland of Eagle Creek, who is running for the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Patti Smith, R-Corbett.

Oregon Republicans fail to find candidate for AG race | KPIC CBS 4 - News, Weather and Sports - Roseburg, OR - Roseburg, Oregon | Local & Regional News

Gygax · 03-12-2008, 04:17 PM

I can just see the first debate.

Reporter: Mr Lindland, is it true that you once bit an opponent (Keith Sieracki) during an Olympic Trials match?

Lindland: Yes sir I did. But he deserved it. Next question.

T-Bone · 03-12-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gygax

I can just see the first debate.

Reporter: Mr Lindland, is it true that you once bit an opponent (Keith Sieracki) during an Olympic Trials match?

Lindland: Yes sir I did. But he deserved it. Next question.

and you'll have the peanut gallery all holding up signs "Change We Can Bite On"

AikaImmortal · 03-12-2008, 04:32 PM

"I will take a bite out of crime, inflation, stagnation, and Keith Sieracki... "

But Mr Lindland, does this mean you are agaisnt our men and women in the military?

(I had to google Keith Sieracki. Awesome obscure joke bro.. you had a Dennis Miller moment for sure!)

giguer · 03-12-2008, 04:57 PM

Wow that nice lol. That could be nice to see him there lol

raconteur8 · 03-13-2008, 01:35 PM

Was listening to TAGG radio today..and found out Chael Sonnen was a mayor of some sort and in the political game like Lindland.

Quote:

Occupation: Small Business Owner, Sports Promotion Company

Occupational Background: Farming, Plumbing, and Sales

Educational Background: B.S. University of Oregon

Prior Governmental Experience: Chael has participated in various Republican political campaigns.

Community Involvement: Chael Sonnen, a Woodburn homeowner, cares about our community and has been active in community affairs. Chael is a widely recognized youth coach.

CHAEL SONNEN, A new voice for District 22
Chael is not a political insider. He is committed to reducing taxes and spending, while creating jobs for Oregonians. Chael will be a watchdog to control government spending.

Nobody works harder than CHAEL SONNEN
In 2000, Chael proudly served as an alternate on the US Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling Team. Chael accomplished this by devoting countless hours. He will bring this same energy and devotion to the citizens of District 22.

CHAEL SONNEN, Fighting for Seniors
One of Chael’s priorities is insuring that the needs of senior citizens are met. Our greatest generation deserves adequate health care, prescription drugs, and services. Tougher penalties are needed for criminals, especially those victimizing seniors.

CHAEL SONNEN, Working for Quality Schools
As a coach instructing children, Chael knows first hand the problems our schools are experiencing. Education funding needs to be spent on classroom teaching, not on administrative overhead.

VOTE CHAEL SONNEN
*
REPUBLICAN
(This information furnished by Committee To Elect Chael Sonnen.

Link

T-Bone · 05-21-2008, 12:53 PM

update...

Matt Lindland cruises to Republican primary victory | MMAjunkie.com

Quote:

MMA veteran and aspiring politician Matt Lindland won Tuesday's Republican primary for the Oregon House of Representatives in the 52nd district -- by 14 percentage points.

According to today's report from KATU.com, Lindland secured 2,410 votes (57 percent); opponent Phyllis Thiemann recorded just 1,803 votes (43 percent).

Lindland will now take on Democratic winner Suzanne VanOrman in the general election, which takes place Nov. 4.

As MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) mentioned in March, Lindland decided last-minute to run for the House seat vacated by retiring Rep. Patti Smith. District 52 includes rural portions of Clackamas and Multnomah counties, and all of Hood River County in Oregon.

Lindland, who was born and still lives in Oregon, attended junior college in the state (and won a junior national championship) before finishing his collegiate wrestling career at the University of Nebraska.

The 37-year-old next fights July 19 at the "Affliction: Banned" event, which takes place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Lindland takes on Fabio Negao.

Lindland hasn't fought professionally since an April 2007 loss to heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. It was just his second loss in his past 11 fights.