An Average Citizen Runs for Congress

What A Race

2011-05-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

I want to thank everyone who supported me and my campaign. I could not have run in this race without the volunteers and donations.

As the youngest person in the field of 16 candidates, I hope that what can come of my running is that more of my peers participate consistantly in every election (including primaries), not just when it gets to the top 2. This historic jungle primary is what allowed me to be considered for office; the right elements at the right time encouraged me to run.

With over 8,000 vote by mail ballots to be counted, I will not be getting enough votes to move on to the July General Election. I will wait until all the ballots are counted before I endorse a candidate.

Thanks again for your vote!

Special Primary Election - May 17th 2011

2011-05-16T23:47:00.000-07:00

VOTE PILOT TUESDAY MAY 17TH

Tuesday is the day you have your say. It can be the beginning of your new pledge to vote in elections, or it can be that you have voted in every election since you were elegible to vote.

I am on your ballot to represent the 36th District in Congress because I want this position. Some may call it a job, or a duty, but the person elected is accountable to those in the district, not special interests groups or lobbyists. Through this process I have interviewed with the decision makers - the voters. I met the great people who live and work in our district, and shared my ideas and goals. I have vowed to be accountable to the 36th district - its voters, taxpayers, and citizens.

On this day I ask for your vote. In special elections like these, turn out is low, and every vote does impact this race. Your vote is your voice; take this opportunity to not only cast your vote, but to begin to shape your future.

California Women (Do) Lead

2011-05-11T21:03:00.000-07:00

It is proven that women do do things differet than men... and I had a great time being in such accomplished company tonight at the California Women Lead event held near LAX. I did not know of this organization until I was asked to participate in their event, but having learned what they do, I feel priviledged to have been invited to share who I am, and what my campaign is about.

I may be the youngest in the field of 16 candidates, but I let those ladies know that what inspired me to start my formal involvement in politics on the large stage of running for congress was that I look at the future, and I do not like what I see... and although I can still plan for it, my future is currently someone else's present and that is concerning. I want to go to congress to change Americans' lives for the better, and walk away when my time is done, satisfied with the job I did, leaving America in better shape than what it was when I arrived.

I give great thanks to the ladies of California Women Lead for tonight.

ILWU Local 63 O.C.U. Meeting

2011-05-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

Attending the monthly membership meeting today in San Pedro, I took the opportunity to address my fellow members about my candidacy for the 36th Congressional District. I encouraged them to "send an OCU to Congress" but I had forgotten to thank those who have already contributed to my campaign and erected signs in their yards. So, I say THANK YOU now! :)

A big thanks to John Fageaux Jr., President ILWU Local 63 O.C.U. for giving me the floor.

What Does Katherine think of the Santa Monica Airport?

2011-05-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, I was asked via email, what is my "opinion of the Santa Monica Airport". Well, incase you were also wondering, below is my answer.

I first became familiar with the Santa Monica Airport about 10 years ago when I went to the Barker Hanger for an event. I was amazed to find an airport that had been enveloped by residential neighborhoods.

Being so close to so many homes, I do have a few concerns about the Santa Monica Airport. My concerns do center on health, and safety. I do not want the airport to expand any further – creating additional noise and air pollution. But, I do respect that it is the oldest operating airport in Los Angeles County and I do want to keep it operational. The airport is a great local resource for pilots who own planes, people who want to learn how to fly, and special events. This airport provides many services on a smaller scale.

I do want the airport to be a good neighbor to the residents in the area. With such a large population surrounding such a small airport, I would look to reduce the current maximum noise level of 95.0 dBA SENEL, and I would place a moratorium on additional business permits to aviation companies whose main business is flying. I would have no part of closing a business that was already approved to be operational, but preventing further expansion is viable.

I hope that you were able to find what you were looking for when you asked what my opinion is of the Santa Monica Airport.

Earlier today, I supplied that response to the voter from Marina del Rey who took the opportunity to ask.

Yard Signs Available

2011-04-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

Yard signs are now available. You can show your support of Katherine Pilot - you're first choice, and first on the ballot.

Please email pilot4congress@gmail.com and leave your contact information and we will get in touch to deliver a yard sign to you or your business.

Upcoming Events

2011-04-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

I am confirmed to attend a few upcoming forums. Please note the below dates, it will be great to see you out there!

CD36 Candidates Forum presented by the Mar Vista Community Council & Venice Neighborhood Council
Westminster Elementary School, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd (enter from Westminster)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 starting at 6:30.

Candidates Reception 36th Congressional District Hosted by the Los Angeles Chapter - California Women Lead
Wednesday, May 11, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Brasserie Restaurant, The Sheraton Gateway
6101 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles

Can You Vote For Me?

2011-03-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the map of California's 36th Congressional District. If you live with these boundaries, please make sure you vote for Katherine Pilot on May 17th, 2011.

For a more detailed map please click here.

How to Contribute

2011-03-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

Your assistance in my campaign is welcomed! Right now, you can print this blog post which also is your donation form, fill out your information, and send a check made out to "Katherine Pilot for Congress" to the address below the form.

Your name: ____________________________________

Address: ______________________________________

City: _________________________________________

State: ________________ Zip: ____________________

Phone: ________________________________________

Occupation: ____________________________________

Employer: _____________________________________

The Federal Election Commission and campaign finance laws require that the above information is collected for individuals whose contributions exceed $200.

As I ask for folks to contribute to my campaign, please be aware of the following contribution limitations -

the maximum allowed contribution per individual is $2,500 per election cycle; husbands and wives are considered separate, and married couples can contribute a maximun of $5,000
contributions are not deductable on federal income tax filings as charitable donations
corporate contributions cannot be accepted

Please send yor check via mail to:

Katherine Pilot for Congress

531 Pier Ave.

Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Filing Process Complete

2011-03-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

I received the call from the Los Angeles County Clerk's Office that I have successfully completed the filing process!

This was very exciting news, and I need to thank those who signed my petitions.

Now, the focus is shifting to May 17th. Gaining support for this race is important to me. There is a lot of competition, but I have found many voters who are pleased to have me as an option to represent them.

What’s important to Katherine Pilot?

2011-03-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

Katherine is for fewer taxes and less government, while making sure that each federal tax dollar goes as far as possible. Since she is an average citizen, she has her values to campaign on, not lobbyists or political ties.

The below is - What’s important to Katherine Pilot?

Building Business – There needs to be better incentive for business in the United States of America. Many of the strict regulations that are hampering businesses from starting, and staying open, need to be reduced or eliminated to allow for the opportunity to stimulate the economy in the private sector.

Aerospace and global trade from our air and sea ports are large contributors to our economy, and keeping our large industries safe and prosperous is vital to our way of life.

Energy – I find our domestic energy sources need to be used to their full potential. In addition, we have to develop and encourage inexpensive, clean, safe energy which includes nuclear and natural gas. We have great refineries in the district that keep jobs in the area. Being dependant on foreign oil is directly reflected at the gas pump where to fill up a 15 gallon tank, I just spent $50. Donald Trump recently had great points about OPEC and nuclear energy when interviewed by Neil Cavuto.

Your Bailout – We funded it, but I don’t see a change. Instead, the banks have continued to raise your interest rates putting the American public further behind at managing their own debt. These same banks are reluctant to loan that bailout money back out to us. As a nation, we still have a federal deficit and budget imbalance, but our tax dollars went to bailout of the financial firms' poor wagers. What I learned growing up was if you are not willing to lose it, don’t place your bet.

Border Security & Immigration Reform – Enforcement is key. There are already federal laws that address immigration, and they need to be enforced. A rework of the visa system for allowing labor into the

USA

so immigrants can work and become part of the American culture is important. An improved tracking system of visa recipients is also necessary to continue our security within our borders. I fully support use of E-Verify in the public and private sector.

Fiscal Responsibility – One should not spend more than they earn… this is a very important rule that gas not been followed for quite some time. When faced with so many spending commitments, I do not agree to additionally tax the public or business, we need to find the necessities and remove the frivolous expenditures. Cutting back is most of the answer. Eliminating bureaucracy within government would be a large relief to the tax payer, allowing for those tax dollars to be utilized appropriately.

Look for more to come shortly.

Signatures, Fees, and Deadlines, Oh My!

2011-03-16T22:16:00.000-07:00

There have been a lot of developments since we last chatted!

On Monday, March 14th, 2011, Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor of California, made the special election proclamation regarding the 36th Congressional District vacancy. By doing this, all of the time lines were set for the primary and general election.

Now, I will say, that petitions were available beginning March 1, but this information wasn't posted on the Secretary of State website under candidate information until what I believe was March 7. It was March 15 that all of the information regarding the requirements and deadlines was actually posted for the rest of us (who are not in the know) to be informed.

So, I have been fully versed in how difficult it is for an average citizen to run for congress. I'm sure a few of the other candidates have their staff, secretary, campaign manager, etc. going around to get the essential signatures, fees, information, and finance reports. I do not. I was doing drive-bys to various friends' homes to chat up folks in the district and explain that by signing the petition, they are just allowing me to get on the primary ballot; they are allowing someone to participate in the process.

The next deadline in March 17th, so instead of filling out my NCAA bracket, I am counting signatures, and making sure I am ready to get my nomination packet.

You may be curious to know the process of getting on the ballot for a primary election for congress... well, the qualifications-requirements information posted on Tuesday morning explains the details. I will say, that the financials provided seem modest (filing fee equal to 1% of the first year salary) at first. No where in the information posted is the voter guide mentioned. I will let you know, it is not free to get in the voter guide, nor is the cost covered in your filing fee. I will say that I had to ask for the amount to get my blurb added to the voter guide... and I'm looking into the campaign finance laws to start fundraising. If my blurb is in there, it will be because my supporters make it happen.

I do have a new-found respect for those who stand in front of the grocery store getting signatures for whatever cause. I wasn't asking for money, or too much of anyone's time; I wasn't going to mail those folks anything, but plenty of people are so negative about it. I will need to thank my mom, it was great to hear her ask folks if they are registered voters followed by "my daughter is running for congress".

So everybody - LOOK OUT!!!! The primary is May 17, 2011!!!!

Proof the Average Citizen isn't in Congress

2011-03-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

There has been a great report that developed at the beginning of March (but really got legs on 3/9/11), that proves that the average citizen has a hard time getting elected. It is difficult for people like me, someone with a full-time job who doesn't break six-figures, to win elections. The newest congressional freshman class is brimming with millionaires.

Congressional freshman class filled with millionaires

These folks have a large amount of wealth... and good for them. They can spend plenty of their own money on a campaign for a job that makes only a small fraction of that... very similiar to the President, spending hundreds of millions to get elected to a job that pay $300k +.

I am closer to the voter I want to represent... I worry about my job, my finances, my home, on a daily basis. I have a deep desire to make better for those who will come after me.

Who is Katherine Pilot?

2011-03-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Ever since a seat became available in the 36th Congressional District, I've been researching, discussing, and actively communicating my intention to get on the primary ballot for this election. You may wonder, who is this gal with a blog who wants to represent the 36th District in Congess?

I am Katherine Pilot. I grew up in what is referred to as the South Bay, as locals know. I have lived in the district I aim to represent for many years. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunication from Purdue University.

I have worked in what I consider to be the two largest industries in Southern California, the entertainment industry and the shipping industry. For the 36th District, many residents are affected by one or the other on a day to day basis, or they are working in one of those industries. These industries are the main providers of the blue-collar jobs in the area; folks who clock-in and clock-out and earn an honest living. Both of these industries seem to be over-regulated, forcing the price of business up and the work to go elsewhere. The loss of jobs, or loss of potential jobs, is something I am very concerned over. I want to keep jobs in America, and I want my district to benefit from that.

Now, you may be asking, "What political party are you in?" For all those people who like to label, and place people in a box, I have always been a registered Republican. If you consider this to be a dirty word, this happened because it runs in the family, and most of all, my viewpoint is typically more aligned with those fundamentals. I have worked in industries which are mostly Democrat. Unfortuantely, I have noticed that I do not feel represented by either major party. I am in the middle... I don't believe in government increasing their scope of influence too large. I believe in financial responsibility and saving for the rainy day, because as we have recently learned, THE rainy day will come.

Well, we do have some time to get to know eachother... feel free to ask questions about what you find important.

A Primary as Early as April

2011-02-28T20:18:00.000-08:00

Yes, according to my exploratory committee, if Jerry Brown puts the 36th Congressional District seat on the ballot, the primary can be as soon as April.

So what have I been doing? Well, researching the possible contenders, whom all seem to be women on the Democratic side, and I haven't seen many Republicans step forward and claim to want the seat, let alone want to run for it. I have also been looking at my potential supporters... I have ties to unions in addition to the other industries in the district.

What I really need to be doing is to gather finances. To reach a district of more that 600,000 people I need to be able to get known, fast. I don't have a record of public office so people know who I am, nor do I come from a lineage of previous mayors, district attorneys, or county supervisors.

Social Security and Why I Am Not Feeling Secure

2011-02-27T21:24:00.000-08:00

I recently got a flyer in the mail from the Social Security Administration, and having recently entered my 30's, to get any correspondence from this entity seems a bit premature, although I have technically been receiving one ever since I entered the workforce. Currently, I see so much of my earnings go into the following categories -

Federal Income Tax
Social Security Tax
Medicare Tax
CA State Income Tax
CA SUI/SDI Tax

I also have two other VERY important deductions from my earnings -

Life Insurance
401 - K

Now, in the mail that the Social Security Administration decideis obligated to send to me, via US Mail, included a four page item titled "Your Social Security Statement", and a two-sided newsletter "What young workers should know about Social Security and saving". My "Statement" which they refer to as being mine, only seems personalized upon looking to page 3... but then again, they did pay for six pages of printing, paper, envelopes, and postage.

I have larger concern about the two-sided newletter... It contains a section in green-scale with the headline "Will Social Security still be around when I retire?" The short answer according to the author is "Yes" but as one reads there is the following -

The Social Security Board of Trustees now estimates that based on current law, in 2037, the Trust Funds will be depleted...the taxes that are paid by workers will not be enough to pay the full benefit amounts scheduled.

I am sorry, but "Yes" actually doesn't seem like the right answer after I read further. Should I feel like I was just lied to by the author or that the author doesn't know what he/she is talking about? I am going with the former. I am tired of feeling like I am lied to and mislead by our own government - our elected officials, and their appointed officials are disappointing at this point.

So, is my Social Security flyer fuel to the fire for how I want to help protect my fellow Americans? It sure is. I am a planner, and I am being told by my government to not plan on Social Security which I pay into with every pay check... it doesn't seem right that I am funding something that I will not have the ability to use. I believe that the voteers in the 36th District feel the same. It is about time that we all get what we pay for.

The Competition for the 36th District

2011-02-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

The website swingstateproject.com is reporting the following-

CA-36: Has anyone of any stature endorsed Debra Bowen yet? I have no idea, because her website is still just a freakin' splash page. And I ask because two more members of Congress just endorsed Janice Hahn: Loretta Sanchez and Laura Richardson. Endorsements don't typically mean a lot, but in this case, Hahn has really piled together an impressive roster in a very short time, which indicates her level of influence is quite strong. Meanwhile, I'm not even sure what Bowen is up to - search for her name on Google News (be sure to sort by date) and you won't find much about her, but you'll see plenty of stories about Hahn.

I want folks to really be reminded of Janice Hahn... political family, running on the family name... Do you really think she represents you? A resident, voter, and taxpayer of the 36th District? I don't think she represents me. She saw an opportunity at a political job and is making the necessary adjustments in order to qualify. Anyone endorsed by Loretta Sanchez does not represent my values and beliefs.

Harmon's Resignation Delayed to End of Feb.

2011-02-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

Incase you haven't seen it, check this article... The Buzz: Jerry Brown asks Jane Harman to delay resignation ... for the state budget

In the above listed article, it is said the delay will allow the seat for the 36th congressional district to be on the same ballot as Jerry Brown's proposed tax increase. The thinking is that if Brown can get additional democratic voters to the polls in the 36th district for the election regarding Harmon's vacated seat, then maybe Brown will get more democratic voters to pass his tax increases (if he can even get them on the ballot).

NO JERRY! The voters/taxpayers of the 36th Congressional District will NOT allow you to take more of their money. Go negotiate with the unions that contributed to your campaign... it's a different economy now and they need to understand that.

Another Californian Waiting on Jerry Brown

2011-02-22T15:56:00.000-08:00

I keep checking the State of California elections page... waiting. I'm waiting for the election to be called in our district for the 36th Congressional Seat... to represent this area on a federal level. As soon as the election is called, I can go through the requirements and submit my paperwork to be added to the ballot.

At this point I am unsure if I will need to get signatures in order to appear on the ballot, but I am strongly considering a campaign manager to run the show (but not my opinions or values) to make sure I get the necessary press coverage in the area that the 36th District covers.

Jane Harman to Step Down From Congress, Vacate 36th District Seat

2011-02-07T19:42:00.000-08:00

Earlier today news broke that Jane Harman is stepping down from her congressional position to take a job in the private sector, president and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson Center. I wish Jane the best of success in the next career of her life.

I drive by Jane Harman's congressional office quite often, it is on Rosecrans in El Segundo, and every time I have thought that I would like to represent my district in Congress... well, here is my opportunity. A little bit about me, I grew up in Los Angeles County, attended public school, and received my B.A. from Purdue University. In my time since college, I have worked in what I consider the two largest industries in Los Angeles, the entertainment industry and the shipping industry.

In the upcoming, I am going to use this as a main forum for you to get in touch with me. I am a resident of the 36th District, who thinks of herself as an American first.

If you would like to read what actual journalists have to say about Harman's newfound career please see all of the below, or just google it-

Jane Harman Resigning From Congress
Rep. Jane Harman set to resign from House
Rep. Jane Harman of California to resign