Greg Raths
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Greg Raths (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 40th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Raths completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Greg Raths was born in Phoenix, Arizona. Raths served in the United States Marine Corps from 1972 to 2004 and reached the rank of colonel. He earned an associate degree in political science from Saddleback College in 2009, a bachelor's degree in business from Arizona State University in 1975, a bachelor's degree in political science and history from California State University at Fullerton, and a master's degree in national resource strategy from National Defense University in 1996. Raths' career experience includes working as the president of an auto parts firm, the chief of staff of the White House Military Office from 1996 to 1999, and a liaison between the Pentagon and White House.[1][2][3][4][5]
Elections
2022
See also: California's 40th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 40
Incumbent Young Kim defeated Asif Mahmood in the general election for U.S. House California District 40 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Young Kim (R) | 56.8 | 161,589 |
 | Asif Mahmood (D) | 43.2 | 122,722 | |
| Total votes: 284,311 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 40
Asif Mahmood and incumbent Young Kim defeated Greg Raths and Nicholas Taurus in the primary for U.S. House California District 40 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Asif Mahmood (D) | 40.9 | 74,607 |
| ✔ | | Young Kim (R) | 34.7 | 63,346 |
 | Greg Raths (R) | 23.2 | 42,404 | |
 | Nicholas Taurus (R) | 1.2 | 2,193 | |
| Total votes: 182,550 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Hilaire Shioura (R)
Endorsements
To view Raths' endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.
2020
See also: California's 45th Congressional District election, 2020
General election
General election for U.S. House California District 45
Incumbent Katie Porter defeated Greg Raths in the general election for U.S. House California District 45 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Katie Porter (D) | 53.5 | 221,843 |
| Greg Raths (R) | 46.5 | 193,096 | |
| Total votes: 414,939 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 45
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House California District 45 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Katie Porter (D) | 50.8 | 112,986 |
| ✔ | | Greg Raths (R) | 17.9 | 39,942 |
 | Don Sedgwick (R) | 12.8 | 28,465 | |
 | Peggy Huang (R) | 11.1 | 24,780 | |
 | Lisa Sparks (R) | 4.0 | 8,861 | |
 | Christopher Gonzales (R) | 2.4 | 5,443 | |
 | Rhonda Furin (R) | 1.0 | 2,140 | |
| Total votes: 222,617 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brian Forde (D)
- Julie Proctor (R)
- Mimi Walters (R)
- Brenton Woolworth (R)
- Ray Gennawey (R)
- Aditya Pai (D)
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Mimi Walters (R) defeated Ron Varasteh (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Walters and Varasteh defeated Greg Raths (R) and Max Gouron (D) in the top-two primary on June 7, 2016.[6][7]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Mimi Walters Incumbent |
58.6% | 182,618 | |
| Democratic | Ron Varasteh | 41.4% | 129,231 | |
| Total Votes | 311,849 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |
Mimi Walters Incumbent |
40.9% | 65,773 | |
| Democratic | Ron Varasteh |
27.6% | 44,449 | |
| Republican | Greg Raths | 19.2% | 30,961 | |
| Democratic | Max Gouron | 12.3% | 19,716 | |
| Total Votes | 160,899 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State |
||||
2014
Raths ran in the 2014 election for the U.S. House to represent California's 45th District. Raths was defeated in the blanket primary on June 3, 2014.[8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |
Mimi Walters |
45.1% | 39,631 | |
| Democratic | Drew Leavens |
28.1% | 24,721 | |
| Republican | Greg Raths | 24.2% | 21,284 | |
| Independent | Al Salehi | 2.6% | 2,317 | |
| Total Votes | 87,953 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State |
||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Greg Raths completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Raths' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Colonel Raths holds multiple college degrees including a Master's Degree from the National Defense University. He holds a BS from Arizona State University in Business and a BA Degree from California State University, Fullerton in History and Political Science.
Since retiring from the United States Marine Corps, Colonel Raths continued his service and dedication to those who have served. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council for the Board of Supervisors for several years, and was president of the executive board for the non-profit, Patriots and Paws,
Greg flew as a commercial airline pilot for JetBlue Airways, and most recently was president of a local business in Anaheim, CA.
He was first elected to the Mission Viejo City Council in 2014, and re-elected in 2018. He was unanimously appointed as Mayor of Mission Viejo by his Council colleagues for 2019. On March 3, 2020 he won the Republican nomination for the US House of Representative CA45th Congressional District but lost to Congresswoman Katie Porter in November 2020.- Restore America's Energy Independence
- Border Security
- Work to reduce the current runaway inflation
Humble man, professional, well loved by his fans
The Art of the Deal.
John Adams.
Loyal
Integrity
Honest
Reverent
Courage
Honor
Friendly
Lawn boy 8 years
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Raths' campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Economic Opportunity The government is responsible for today’s diminished American economy. I will fight against any attempt to prevent our local economies and businesses from flourishing. It’s time to deregulate, lower taxes including eliminating the gas tax, cut spending, and create an economic environment that encourages prosperity.
Put victims and families first, not criminals. I will always support our law enforcement and robust public safety efforts. I’ll vocally oppose any effort to defund our police – you can count on it. As Mayor of Mission Viejo, we decreased violent crime by 27%. I’ll take this proven track record with me to Congress.
The Biden Administration has made us less safe. They have put American lives at risk. It takes a combat veteran to hold them accountable and restore America’s position in the world. I will take a hard stance against the Chinese Communist Party, I’ll support Israel, and ensure our borders are secure.
As a decorated combat fighter pilot, I fought to protect the freedoms and liberties of all Americans. Today, these rights are being deteriorated by spineless career politicians. I will fight to restore the Bill of Rights, and medical freedom of all Americans. My oath did not end when I left the Marine Corps.
I will fight tirelessly to restore parental rights in education and medical decisions for children. Washington D.C. has no business telling us here, in Orange County how to educate our children. I will remain resolute in my efforts to provide parents with greater control over their children’s future.
Despite what some, even in our party, want to believe – our Nation’s election integrity is a serious issue. In Congress, I will support measures to restore integrity in our elections. This includes, required voter ID, frequent cleaning of voter rolls, signature matching, and the prohibition of ballot harvesting. I’ll even work with California’s state leaders to permanently end the current vote-by-mail system.[9] |
” |
| —Greg Raths' campaign website (2022)[10] | ||
2020
Greg Raths completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Raths' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Service Before Self
- Standing together to strengthen our community.
- Integrity. Accountability. Respect. Honor.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Raths' campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Issues California is home to 2,000,000 Veterans. President Trump’s Forever GI Bill was enacted in 2017 and was supported by every member of Congress. In other words, both major parties, Republicans and Democrats, agreed unanimously to support our Veterans nationwide in all arenas of life: healthcare, housing, employment, education, to name a few. We must ensure the proper enforcement and efficiency of this bill in order to serve the ones who have served us. The VA has made significant improvement since the Trump Administration; nonetheless, there are some key areas where we can improve. Mental health disorders such as PTSD and depression are among the top contributors for the decline in the overall well-being of a Veteran. Suicide rates have increased among the Veterans and non-veterans at the same level, i.e. approximately 20 suicides per day. However, the suicide rate increased among Veterans who failed to receive quality healthcare compared to Veterans that did receive healthcare. To properly help the Veterans assimilate in the civilian life, we must hold our government accountable to do its job. We must hold ourselves accountable by allowing a smooth and effective transition for all Veterans into civilian life. If we believe that healthcare is something that should be made a priority for all Americans, then certainly, Veterans should not be alienated from this top-level healthcare. Most importantly, it is our civic duty to ensure that Veteran care in all arenas of life is one of the top priorities. Orange County Veteran Cemetery Orange County Veterans do not have the option of choosing Orange County as a place to be laid to rest. I am advocating we build a Veteran Cemetery at the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Irvine. Our neighbor counties: Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego, all have a veteran cemetery; it is time we build one for Veterans here in the 45th Congressional District. I will work with the Irvine City Council and the California State Legislature to expedite the creation of an Orange County Veteran Cemetery. California is the highest taxed state in the Country. We have given $419 billion to the state of California and another $370 billion to the Federal Government while both the state and federal government run billions and even trillions in deficits and debt. Since the 2018 election, taxes have gone up in Orange County cities by 3%. If the taxes we pay can’t even be used effectively or efficiently, why should we give the government more? The last thing an average middle-class family needs is an increase in taxes. We need a tax break with a cut in both state and federal spending. We must help families stay out of poverty or becoming homeless by reducing the tax burden many families are saddled with. Over 50% of the average Californians income goes to taxes, and the state and federal governments are still running deficits! I oppose any and all tax increases. We need to spend our money more effectively and efficiently, and stop burdeining our citizenry with unncessary taxes. Our national debt has doubled since 2009 and is projected to exceed annual GDP by 2026. It is unacceptable to borrow from future generations. If our debt continues to increase, we face higher interest rates that will reduce investment and damper economic growth permanently. Our credit will also significantly suffer as foreign investors will be less likely to purchase our debt, causing the value of the U.S. dollar to collapse. It’s time to start making some common-sense decisions about our nation’s financial obligations before it is too late. And we can start this by making effective choices in Orange County. The government is neither a humanitarian agency nor a non-profit religious organization; it is solely responsible for the people who reside within its’ borders. Our country, our local economy, and local culture have been enriched by those who come to our country seeking the American Dream and a chance at a better life. But millions of illegal immigrants continually crossing our border without our knowledge, thus threatening our national security. I oppose amnesty. Those who are not American Citizens or legal immigrants, do not have a right to our services. We must secure our borders and stop playing games. Legal immigration is a tremendous benefit to our country. But in order to protect our nation and reform the immigration process, we must know who is and is not entering our country. That cannot be done without securing our border. Make no mistake –I am empathetic to the obstacles of our neighboring nations; however, it is my civic duty to serve the people in our country first. Serving the people of the United States of America is my number one priority; similarly, it is my recommendation that other nations should step-up so that their vulnerable population is not forced to break our laws, such as crossing the border illegally. Since the inception of our nation, healthcare debate has always followed economic debate, making it one of the top two issues near and dear to all Americans. For as long as I can remember, I was taught to serve and to never leave a fellow American behind. I hold the same values when it comes to healthcare and its relationship to people. Everyone has the right to affordable healthcare no man or woman should be left behind. While there is no doubt that every individual should have access to healthcare, the solutions to achieving this goal is subjective, i.e. it varies from group. Insurance ·Veteran Healthcare ·Small Business Employer-Employee Healthcare ·Corporate Health Care ·Student Healthcare ·Disabled, Vulnerable Healthcare ·Crisis Mode Healthcare ·Senior Healthcare The needs of each group is specific and too large to generalize it under one-plan-fits-all approach. For example, an annual blood screening is enough for a typical college-age student; however, this is not the case for our seniors and at times, among the vulnerable and disable population. I will work to tackle healthcare one group at a time. Mental Health Psychiatric hospitalizations have increased in Orange County in the last five years. Anxiety and depression are the leading mental health diagnosis among teenagers. Typically, patients go through 5-6 psychiatric hospitalizations before they are stabilized. Finding the right medication is challenging and a journey in itself. With proper guidance and effective advocacy, mental health issues can be resolved; however, if left unchecked, it can add to homelessness and rise in crime. Prescription Drugs and Pharmaceuticals We must carefully assess and enforce effective prescribing procedures. Opioid addiction is an epidemic across the nation and Orange County is not an exception. Approximately, 130 people die in America daily due to opioid overdose. One answer to this is to hold doctors accountable in their prescribing practices. Another answer is to generate innovative methods to dispose unwanted medication, thereby, preventing unethical distribution of drugs. We must also work with the FBI to go after the criminal elements that are distributing prescription opioid drugs through the dark web and inside the US postal system. National Security As much as I am passionate about Veterans, healthcare and our economy, we will not be able to talk about them if we overlook national security issues. Given that I know my way around the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. and Congress it should not come to you as a surprise that I am well versed in national security issues. Homegrown terrorism, international terrorism, manufactured global health crisis, nuclear weapons across the globe are problems that must be addressed. Issues in the Western Hemisphere, Middle East, Asia, Africa, Eastern-Europe are all the regions that affect Orange County directly and indirectly when it comes to implementing strategic domestic and foreign policy. My world and national experience make me a perfect fit to go to Washington, D.C. to work on these critical problems.[9] |
” |
| —Greg Raths[11] | ||
2016
The following issues were listed on Raths' campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.
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| —Greg Raths' campaign website, http://www.gregraths.com/ | ||
2014
Raths' campaign website listed the following issues:[12]
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| —Greg Raths' campaign website, http://www.gregraths.com/issues | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Raths and his wife, Luci, have three children.[13]
See also
2022 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House California District 40 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Lariat, "Former USMC pilot and Saddleback alumnus to run for Congress," November 4, 2013
- ↑ Greg Raths for Congress 2014, "Meet Greg," accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ Information submitted through Ballotpedia's biographical submission form on March 1, 2016
- ↑ Biographical information submitted to Ballotpedia on October 16, 2019
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 18, 2022
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices June 7, 2016, Presidential Primary Election," accessed April 4, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "California Primary Results," June 7, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "California Primary Results," June 3, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Greg Raths, “Issues,” accessed May 23, 2022
- ↑ Greg Raths 2020 campaign website, "Issues," accessed February 20, 2020
- ↑ Campaign website, "Issues," accessed April 27, 2014
- ↑ Campaign website, "About," accessed April 27, 2014
