By RUSTY PAYN
Tom Draschil saw a revolution two years ago and decided he wanted to get on board.
'Now is the time for Utah's 3rd Congressional District to join the freshman Republican revolution in the House of Representatives,' Draschil said. 'There's never been a more urgent need for (the district) to send a strong, principle-based conservative back there to join in the fight.'
Draschil is running for the seat currently held by Democrat Bill Orton.
'This campaign will not be easy,' Draschil said. 'We have before us two major obstacles: a lethargic public and a pro-Orton press. But both of these obstacles can and will be overcome.'
In much of his campaign literature, Draschil speaks often of the 73 freshman Republicans that were elected in 1994. He also says Orton has become irrelevant.
'The simple observable truth is that our incumbent Democratic congressman is ineffective,' Draschil said. 'He says he's independent, a maverick. But, the fact is that no one listens to him. Both Republican and Democratic leaders ignore him. His continual compromises satisfy no one. He is completely ineffective. Utah's 3rd District has no voice in Congress.'
His platform calls for the power of Washington to be returned to the states. He opposes gun control, supports a balanced budget, takes a pro-life stance and wants to return wilderness lands to the states.
Draschil pointed out to the Universe that although Orton may seem like a conservative, his voting record during his three terms is getting further and further to the left. He also said Orton doesn't represent the people in the district.
Draschil ran in 1994 as a late entrant into the race. He fell just 180 votes shy of getting the GOP nomination. Since getting into the race in 1996, Draschil has campaigned in heavily democratic portions of the state, such as Carbon County.
'There's a new generation of political activists rising right in the heart of Utah's democratic stronghold,' Draschil said. 'And those new political activists are conservative Republicans.'
Draschil has his own real estate business and is the father of 12 children.