Ron Packard

Ronald C. Packard (b. January 19, 1931) is a politician from the state of California.

Related Topics:
January 19 - 1931 - Politician - State - California

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Packard was born in Meridian, Idaho and he attended Brigham Young University. Packard worked as a dentist until his election to the Carlsbad, California city council in 1976. He was elected mayor of Carlsbad in 1978. In 1982, Packard lost the Republican primary for United States House of Representatives to Johnnie Crean by 92 votes. Crean's character came into issue, and Packard launched a campaign as a write-in candidate. After some reluctance, Packard ran a poll which found that voters would vote for him, especially if they knew how to write him in. Packard campaigned with a gigantic pencil as a prop while giving out golf pencils to district residents. Packard won the election by 11,000 votes to become the first independent write-in candidate to defeat candidates of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Packard was also just the fourth person ever to be elected to Congress as an write-in candidate. He joined the Republican caucus upon his election. Packard's congressional career included membership on the House Approriations Committee. Packard served a total of nine terms and then retired from the House at the end of his term in 2001 to spend time with his family.

Related Topics:
Meridian, Idaho - Brigham Young University - Dentist - Carlsbad, California - 1976 - Mayor - 1978 - 1982 - Republican - Primary - United States House of Representatives - Johnnie Crean - Write-in candidate - Democratic - Republican - House Approriations Committee - 2001

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