Simi Valley originator goes for governorship
By ANNE LINEBERRY
8/15/2003

You've probably already heard about the actor, the porn star, the comedian and the columnist running for governor of the Golden State, but hey, it IS California, so none of that should be surprising.

Also in the fray is mortgage broker Douglas Anderson.

The 55-year old Anderson lives in Simi Valley and owns First Pacific Financial, a mortgage brokerage in Moorpark. The company mainly handles commercial and multifamily lending, Anderson said in a phone interview, estimating that they do between $10 and $20 million a year in those products.

Single-family dwellings are also handled by his company, he said, but for the most part those consist of loans made to already existing customers.

A broker for about 22 years, Anderson founded First Pacific Financial in 1988 and says that 80 to 85 percent of his business is by word-of-mouth. That's how he intends to garner votes as well. The company has three other employees who will be picking up the extra work as Anderson begins a trek around the state speaking to the voters.

In addition to the website, andersonforgovernor.org, buttons, and t-shirts, Anderson said he planned on speaking to students on college campuses, Moose lodges and other venues where he can get his concerns voiced about several issues, but most importantly illegal immigration and the education system.

"I want to get people back into politics," he said.

Anderson, a resident of California for 47 years, believes illegal immigration is a problem that must be addressed now and is concerned that other candidates may shy away from the issue.

His proposals include calling the National Guard to the border and allowing police to check for immigration status when conducting traffic stops.

His other major concern is the educational system. Part of the problem, he says, is that teachers teach how to pass a test, rather than actual concepts and facts.

He said that although he realized that his chances of coming out on top of the other 134 candidates is unlikely, he's hoping that hammering away on his issues will cause the more potential winners to address it.

California voters have voted to recall Democratic governor Gray Davis, who recently won a second term to that office.

Once the recall petitions were verified, candidates with the requisite 65 voter signatures (from the same party) and a $3,500 filing fee were allowed a place on the ballot. The election will be held on October 7.

Though he holds long odds on himself gaining the office, Anderson, a republican, believes his chances are still better than the current governor, Gray Davis.

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