Andrew Firestone Joins Delegation to Nominate Romney

Goleta resident and local businessman Andrew Firestone is attending the Republican National Convention next week. He is part of the California delegation that will nominate Mitt Romney for President.Firestone is a one-time TV reality star, but now he’s married, with two children and deeply concerned about the future of the country, especially the economic outlook.”Politics are participatory and not just by the elected officials but by the private sector as well and being able to have their voice heard and being able to participate in the process,” said Firestone.In 1996, Firestone’s father Brooks was one of the local leaders that welcomed then Presidential candidate Bob Dole. He has long standing connections to the Republican party. “Well, my father has been to a couple of conventions in his days and he’s obviously been very involved over the years and he’s excited that I’m going to get my own perspective,” said Firestone. “I think he’s looking forward to me having an experience that he had once upon a time and come back with a different opinion with a refreshed opinion.”Looking ahead to the convention in Tampa Firestone says, “I think we are headed in a bad direction. To have as many people who are counting on the federal government for support whether it’s unemployment, or it’s disability, or to be part of an expanding government is unhealthy. I think we have to figure out a way to swing it back the other way.”Firestone spoke with KEY News Senior Reporter John Palminteri before he left.