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Republican candidate nixed from Cal Poly debate

January 30, 2016
Matt Kokkonen

Matt Kokkonen

OPINION by MATT KOKKONEN

Cal Poly has denied a declared Republican Congressional Candidate participation at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Congressional debate on Feb. 4. Political science professor Michael Latner is refusing to allow me, Republican Matt Kokkonen, to participate in the Congressional candidate debate forum at Cal Poly.

I am long time political activist, the Republican nominee for Congress against Lois Capps in the 2008 general election and a current and seven time elected member of the San Luis Obispo Republican Central Committee.

Dr.  Latner said I was not qualified to participate in the debate because I had not requested papers from the San Luis Obispo County Clerk Recorder to officially file for candidacy. I declared my candidacy already in Sept. 2015 and in fact presented Cal Poly president Jeffery Armstrong campaign materials in person at a public meeting of San Luis Obispo Business and Property Owners’ Association.

I pointed out to Dr. Latner that Congressional candidates file directly with the Federal Elections Commission, not with the local county, and that he filed with the FEC. One reason for this is that Congressional districts often cover several counties. The county does not provide papers to be filed for federal office.

It is most surprising to realize that Cal Poly’s political science professor is so ignorant of the elemental mechanics of filing for Congress. It is also disappointing to hear him continue to claim he received this information from the county office.

FEC requires filing to be done electronically, unless the candidate anticipates spending or raising under $50,000 in a calendar year. Even then, the paper filing is done directly with the FEC.

I also referred to Cal Poly’s website advertising the event which specifically states “Individuals who have recently requested paperwork to file for candidacy have also been invited to participate.” This is pure nonsense, but if it were true, I would qualify.

After being asked with which political party he is registered, Latner finally and dismissively responded, “the Pirate Party.”

In my opinion, Cal Poly’s refusal to admit my participation in the Congressional debate clearly amounts to discrimination against a Republican Congressional candidate.

It is shocking and regrettable that as public university, Cal Poly is permitting such bigotry. I expected the university to promote the free exchange of ideas, exposure of voters to all candidates with their various political positions and simply upholding the freedom of expression at a public institution of higher learning, not arbitrary discrimination against a Republican.

The debate is scheduled for Feb. 4 and I am still awaiting a reply.

Matt Kokkonen is a legal immigrant and a candidate for the U.S. Congress
California’s 24th District.


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As much I don’t support you, you should be able to participate in the debate, even if you didn’t have all your paperwork filed correctly. The more voices the better.


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Read the article. He file the paperwork correctly. Latner is ignorant of the filing requirements.


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Actually it looks like candidates do have to request paperwork, what do you know?

http://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov//statewide-elections/2016-primary/united-states-rep-congress-2016.pdf


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I realize thast jonhartz. What I’m saying it that it is irrelevant. The less we limit debates and forums, the more chance we get for people to bring up important issues. Just like in business, whenever someone starts limiting who can attend meetings, and starts using words like “stakeholders” you can be damn sure it’s because they are trying to control the message.


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Then you can screw vendors and hide behind bankruptcy. Only this is bankruptcy of thought.


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Matt, why don’t try a boycott of the Cal Poly debate and schedule a benefit for veterans at the same time. With your credibility, winning percentage, and name recognition, you will draw thousands and raise millions.


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Cal Poly, like most university now, doesn’t believe in freedom of speech. The ignorant and uniformed college students and their close-minded progressive professors and administration are part of a bigger problem. The loss of the clear and open-minded could cost our society immensely in the years to come.


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” It appears that he has run up against an arrogant and egotistical college professor.”


As the citizens of San Luis Obispo county, and specifically the 3rd district have also.


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It seems like Matt disagrees with a lot of people and a lot of rules and regulations. Can he work well with others?


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No, he disagrees with people not following the rules and people that should know, not knowing the rules.


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The rules set forth by a bunch of hypocritical bigots who use any means to discriminate against somebody they dislike, aka the republican party. Folks say the Republicans have separated themselves from the masses with their ideas. Coming from one who thinks both sides are a waste of breathable air, and there are plenty of us, Dems are no better then a dictatorship forcing your own ideas.


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Well if not he can then just make an Executive Order regardless of what is legal or constitutional.


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Just like no one cared about the Lois Capps ad from 2014 misquoting Chris Mitchum, no one will care about this because the Left doesn’t have to play by the rules. The End justifies the means.


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Mr. Kokkonen should be included in the debate. This exclusion seems odd and certainly lacking in the spirit of vigorous airing of many ideas and platforms. Mr. K. has burned some bridges during past attempts at gaining an elected office. He still speaks to an element of the population and should be allowed in the debate. I am not one of his supporters, but fair is fair.


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Oh, god, Matt, seriously? You’re running for something else. I think you’re problem is that you know how to do the paperwork too well and don’t know anything about actually campaigning and that’s why you’re a repeated loser. Not the kind of people we need in Washington now.


And, in addition to being a loser, you’re also wrong (as usual). You still have to file with the state and pay a $1,740 filing fee, or, provide signatures in lieu. http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/CR/Elections/June+7$!2c+2016+Presidential+Primary+Election/Candidates+Manual+-+Voter+Nominated+(June+2016).pdf


Now you’re mad that someone’s set a standard for including candidates that doesn’t include you. If it were your debate, which it is not, you could set the rules. It’s not, you can’t. Everyone else seemed to do just fine.


And it has nothing to do with you being a Republican, Matt. Two Republicans will be there. Two who at least have a chance of winning and who don’t win Miss Congeniality in every 2 year election cycle.


You probably just don’t want to pay the filing fee, do you? Quit trying to blame others for your failures. It just illustrates why you’re a loser. Again.


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My goodness! Mr. Kokkonen has run for office in many past elections and I’m sure that he does know the requirements to run for office. It appears that he has run up against an arrogant and egotistical college professor.

As with everyday activities at a University declaring a professor ignorant by a student would certainly earn a failure in that class with little recourse from the student.

I hope that Mr. Kokkonen, who is not a student, pursues his position and shows us all some of the ignorances and prejudices that some college professors exhibit.


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But the professor would not able to do this without the support of Cal Poly’s President, Jeffrey Armstrong and his roughly 1/2 million dollar salary…..


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