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Ramona businessman enters U.S. Senate primary race

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By Karen Brainard

7.webLongtime Ramonan and businessman John Boruff has entered the primary election, scheduled for June 5, as a Republican candidate hoping to challenge Democrat incumbent Dianne Feinstein for her U.S. Senate seat.

“I am tough enough, thick-skinned enough, determined enough to get the job done in Washington,” Boruff said.

Fellow Ramonan and businessman Orrin Day will be hosting a fundraiser barbecue for Boruff from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 21, at the Ramona Mainstage, 626 Main St. The cost is $50 per person and more information is at www.johnboruff.com.

Boruff and his wife, Laurie, married for 33 years, have lived in Ramona for the past 26 years and raised three sons: Joseph, Robert and Gregory. The couple now has four grandchildren.

Although he is running against several other candidates for the Republican nomination, including Dan Hughes of Oceanside, Boruff said, “I have the strongest resume by far.”

That resume includes leadership roles and over 30 years of business experience in the automotive industry that has given him direct dealings with government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency. He said he has experienced firsthand the burdens that so many government regulations have put on businesses such as automotive repair.

“It’s tough being in business,” he said.

At age 23, Boruff became a minority owner of an automobile parts store and repair shop in Oceanside. In 1984 he was named vice president and general manager of a large, regional automotive repair and parts company and was offered an ownership position. Under his leadership, the company expanded to Phoenix, Albuquerque, Tucson, and Las Vegas.

Currently, Boruff is president of Palomar Property Management, which serves all of North County and is in Escondido.

Boruff said the federal government has overreached and is too involved in people’s lives. He said citizens are looking for a blue-collar type person who knows what needs to be done.

“I really am a businessman who can get things done,” he said. “What we know is we have an economy that’s not working...We need to get the economy turned around and job creation ideas out there.”

Boruff said he saw the recession coming in 2005, when customers began bringing in post-dated checks for their car repairs.

He also said the tax code is broken and must be overhauled or replaced. His choice would be a form of “fair tax.”

Boruff said it is time for Feinstein to go because she has been in office for 20 years and California‘s unemployment rate is still over 10 percent. Boruff said he believes he can defeat her because he will bring some fresh ideas to the table.

The government needs to get independent-minded people, not career politicians, in office, he said.

“I’m not going to compromise moral ethics and values,” Boruff added.

The Republican candidate said he believes in giving back to the community. He highlighted his service roles, including that as president of First Night Escondido, the family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration; a member of the Rotary Club; and a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 679 in San Diego Country Estates. He is also active in the Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Ramona.

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