Aanestad makes bid for Congress

Former state Sen. Sam Aanestad has announced his bid for the 1st Congressional District seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Wally Herger, R-Chico.

Aanestad, who resides in Penn Valley and is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, said he is hoping to "join the conservatives in Congress fighting to cut spending and balance this budget."

"With a national debt that now stands at over $15 trillion, or nearly $49,000 for every single American, we are dangerously close to becoming like Greece," he said in a statement. "Every program, every agency, must be asked to make the hard cuts necessary to get our financial house in order. That's why I'm in this fight."

Aanestad joins fellow republicans Sen. Doug LaMalfa, Gregory Cheadle and Pete Stiglich in a run for the congressional seat in the June 5 primary.

"We welcome anyone to the race and look forward to a vigorous campaign," LaMalfa's campaign consultant Dave Gilliard said in response to Aanestad's announcement.

Aanestad was elected to the state Assembly in 1998 to represent Northern California's 3rd District. He was then elected to the state Senate for the 4th District in 2002, where he served until he termed out in 2010.

He had a failed bid at the lieutenant governor's seat in 2010.

Serving as his campaign co-chairman will be U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove.

Herger has already endorsed LaMalfa, R-Richvale, to fill his congressional seat.

Jim Reed of Fall River Mills is the only Democrat to announce his intentions to seek the 1st District seat.