Sharing My Story

John triumphed over his other Republican primary
opponents probably because of his wealth of volunteer
support. However the general election against George
Brown, Jr. proved a different story. The 36th California
Congressional District at that time was heavily
Democratic. The 1980 election proved to be bitter-sweet.
While Ronald Reagan beat Jimmy Carter for President,
John Paul Stark failed in his attempt to unseat George
Brown, Jr.

My CCC collegue and friend John Paul Stark would go
on to run against George Brown in 1982 and 1984. In
1982 I helped in the primary election (and to a lesser
extent the general election) with more precinct walking.
I had moved out of the area in the summer of 1982 and
was not involved in his 1984 effort. Both times the
Democratic registered voter edge proved insurmountable
to John’s best efforts. George Brown, Jr. , liberal Democrat
continued in Congress until he died in July 1999.