Navy Pilot Seeking Office

Randy Arrington, author of "Kerosene Cowboys" (PF, June '07), a wonderfully written book about the life of an A-7 pilot, has announced he will run for Congress in California's 53rd District, now held by Democrat Susan Davis, former president of the League of Women Voters.

Arrington, who holds a PhD in Political Science, was a supervisory pilot for one of the Department of Homeland Security's border protection agencies in San Diego until recently and there is movie coming out next year based on his book.

He offered this explanation about his candidacy, his first run for public office.

"I believe this current crop of mega-liberal politicians is attempting to destroy the very fabric and foundation of our beloved country," he said. "I cannot sit by on the sidelines and watch as they dismantle our nation piece by piece."

California's 53rd Congressional District stretches from Imperial Beach to La Jolla and east to Lemon Grove, including downtown San Diego. Within its environs are three major Navy installations: Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Aviation Depot North Island and the Coronado Amphibious Base, plus MCAS Miramar.

"I have always had the courage to fight for America and I am being called upon once again to do so," Arrington said. "Despite the liberal gerrymandering of that district by the California Legislature, the seat has become vulnerable in the current political upheaval being created nationwide by the Obama Administration and Ms. (Nancy) Pelosi and Mr. (Harry) Reid," he said.

Calling himself "a true conservative Republican candidate," Arrington said his victory "would be a huge blow to the liberal Democrats."

He taught The American President, Presidential Politics and Homeland Security and American Government at UCSD, USD and UCLA. He graduated from UCLA in 1976, was a Tactical Naval Aviator in the United States Navy, in both an active duty and a reserve capacity, for 20 years, retiring with the rank of full commander.

He flew several different aircraft including the A-7 Corsair and A-4 Sky Hawk attack jets off of four aircraft carriers, logging more than 13,000 hours of flight time and 544 carrier-arrested landings. He was a qualified staff Landing Signal Officer and Instructor Pilot as well.

He was an Air Interdiction Agent for United States Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security for more than 21 years, rising to the position of Deputy Director of the Air and Marine Operations Branch in San Diego. (Pacific Flyer featured Arrington and his job in June, '07.)

He retired from government service in July 2008.

Arrington has a Masters and a PhD in Political Science from New Orleans University and is on the graduate faculty at UCLA and UCSD as a Visiting Professor. He has five children ranging in age from 15 to 28, one of whom is an Army officer.