Andy Caldwell kicks off campaign for congress during Santa Maria event

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Republican candidate Andy Caldwell held a kick-off event on Saturday for his 2020 campaign for congress.

The event took place at the Radisson in Santa Maria.

Caldwell is a conservative Santa Maria radio host who is challenging Democratic Central Coast Congressman Salud Carbajal for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He is the founder of The Coalition of Labor, Agriculture & Business of Santa Barbara County.
  
 “We don't have much time to save our country from that entitlement generation, those snowflakes that think they are entitled to free medicare, free college education, a free monthly check and free everything," Calwell said. "The bottom line is they would have to tax us all, our of our homes and businesses and everything else, and it still wouldn’t be enough money."

Caldwell said he wants to get back to representing the people of America instead of a political party.

During the event, he spoke against socialism and began his campaign for taxpayer effectiveness.

He noted that funds perceived as being free from the government have become taxpayer's burden.

Caldwell advocated for job creation, for the scope of the federal government to be reduced and more power be lent to state governments.

Caldwell's opponent Rep. Salud Carbajal's campaign released a statement on Caldwell's running saying:

 “Ensuring voters have a choice and a voice is what democracy is all about, and there’s a clear contrast between these candidates. Rep. Carbajal is focused on delivering results for the Central Coast and he has done that throughout his time in local government and in Congress — on everything from stopping offshore oil drilling and improving infrastructure to lowering prescription drug costs and supporting veterans. Voters will get to decide who most closely aligns with their priorities.”