Ron Shepston

Ron Shepston was a Democratic candidate for the 42nd Congressional District (map) of California. He was seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.), but lost a primary election to Ed Chau on June 3, 2008.

2008 elections
Shepston was seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.), but lost a primary election to Ed Chau on June 3, 2008.

Ron Shepston was the oldest of 4 boys raised by a single mother, a WWII veteran. After high school and during Vietnam, he joined the Air Force and worked on Minuteman I & II ICBM missile systems at Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, MT. After an Honorable discharge in 1970, he attended the University of Illinois on the GI Bill. While working 20-30 hours a week, he received a degree in Electrical Engineering. Shepston is now is a successful businessman and avionics engineer in Orange County, where he has lived for 27 years. He lives in Silverado canyon with wife Belinda. He is the father of three and grandfather of five. Silverado canyon, including Shepston's house, was threatened by the Santiago fires in October 2007. While many neighbors evacuated for weeks, Shepston stayed behind with his neighbor, a former Orange County Battalion Chief, to help fight the fires. They pulled fire hoses and cleared brush. They scouted the frontlines of the fire on dirt bikes. They rescued pets from rabbits to horses. They provided local knowledge to firefighters to find look-out points. They located paths and trails in and around the burn area, providing knowledge that helped them battle the blaze more effectively Shepston has received many notable endorsements including the executive director of the Democratic Party of Orange County, Democracy for America of Orange County, Ambassador Joe Wilson, the local SEIU, and Southern California Communications Workers of America.

Money in politics
As of pre-primary FEC election filings for May 15, 2008, Shepston lead the closest Democratic opponent in total individual contributions raised. Ed Chau raised only $500 in individual contributions between the end of the first quarter 2008 FEC filings and the pre-primary filing while Shepston raised around $21k. Rumors have circulated in the week following the pre-primary filing that Shepston has surged ahead in fundraising through Ambassador Joe Wilson events and Democratic Unity events which brought together Obama and Clinton supporters.

Shepston's campaign announced on March 31, 2008 that it has raised $92,353 from about 700 contributors. The campaign has been very successful with their efforts on Act Blue and through their recent fundraisers featuring former Ambassador Joe Wilson. 

Committees
Shepston will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.

Contact
Mission Viejo Campaign Office 22951 Los Alisos Blvd. Suite 5 Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Phone:(714) 709-4413 Fax:(714) 709-4415

Diamond Bar Campaign Office: 21308 Pathfinder Rd Suite 119 Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Phone:(909) 860-6391

Related SourceWatch articles

 * 2008 U.S. congressional elections
 * 2008 U.S. congressional election dates
 * Portal:California and the U.S. Congress

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on California’s 42nd Congressional District
 * "Ron Shepston for Congress," Official Ron Shepston for Congress Website.
 * Shepston's FEC filings for the 2007-08 election cycle
 * The Centrist OC Blog Race Coverage