In Focus – Chris Mitchum – Segment 1

Santa Barbara – Republicans on the Central Coast believe they have an opening to take a seat away from the Democrats in Congress.Republican Chris Mitchum is one of the candidates running against incumbent Lois Capps. After redistricting they are now competing in the new 24th Congressional District.Mitchum has been endorsed by the Santa Barbara County Republican Party. He says his number one priority, if elected, is actually three things that go together.”There are three issues that go hand in hand. Its jobs, the economy and government spending. We got to get government spending under control. We got to get people working again and I think if we get that going okay, we’ll fix the economy,” said Mitchum.The primary is June 5th. It is an open primary, meaning the two candidates with the most votes, regardless of party, will go on to the election in November.The other candidates include the Democrat Lois Capps, Republican Abel Maldonado and Independent Matt Boutte.