Doolittle will face Brown in November

Retired Air Force Lt. Charles Brown beat out two Democratic contenders for the opportunity to face incumbent Congressman John Doolittle in the November election.

Brown collected 47 percent of the vote, topping challengers Lisa Rea and Michael Hamersley for the Democratic party nomination.

He will face Doolittle, who bested Republican challenger Mike Holmes, the mayor of Auburn. Doolittle, who is in his 15th year of representing California's 4th Congressional district, collected 67 percent of the primary vote.

"One of the big issues in the campaign will be integrity, which John Doolittle says the voters of the district don't care about," said Brown, following his primary victory.

Brown said he will campaign on integrity, responsibility and security in the run-up to the November vote.

Meanwhile, Doolittle's campaign was pleased with the large-margin victory in Tuesday's primary and ready to take on Brown's challenge.

"I think this victory sends a clear message to the Washington liberals that the voters in this district are not going to be swayed by smear tactics," said Doolittle's spokesman, Richard Robinson.

Brown hopes the two can meet soon in a debate, in which Brown plans to bring his record of a long military career, and target Doolittle's record of dealings with lobbyists that has created controversy over the last several months.

"He has a record that he wants to distance himself from," Brown said.

Doolittle, however, says that Brown's political leanings are out of touch with the conservative inclination of the 4th District, which will hurt him on election day.

Brown, who is facing a large disadvantage in fundraising, is expecting a boost of support from the local and national Democratic party.

"We do expect a large amount of support from the Democratic party because this is a national election," Brown said.



- The Associated Press contributed to this report