REGION: Candidate declares hunger strike

North County Times (2010-08-13) Mark Walker

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More Info: CA 50 Congressional District

REGION: Candidate declares hunger strike

WON'T DEBATE, WON'T EAT: RAY LUTZ TO DUNCAN HUNTER

Congressional candidate Ray Lutz launched a hunger strike Thursday, saying he won't eat until Rep. Duncan Hunter agrees to debate him.

The 53-year-old Lutz is the Democratic candidate in the 52nd Congressional District that includes portions of North County.

He wants Hunter, R-El Cajon, to agree to eight debates. He has submitted two letters to Hunter's office but heard nothing back, he said.

"We're still waiting for a reply," Lutz said Friday. "Debates are central to our democracy, and the fact so many incumbents won't debate is one reason it is broken."

Lutz said he will continue the hunger strike "until they have to take me to the hospital."

Hunter campaign spokesman Dave Gilliard said he hopes Lutz can hold on until October.

"We have told him that we will debate him in October when Congress is out of session and voters are paying attention," Gilliard said Friday.

Lutz's campaign spokesman, Brennan Purtzer, said the debates should take place now when Congress is on its summer recess.

"They look mean and inhuman by letting a guy publicly starve because he won't engage in a debate with us," he said.

Lutz, who conceded he was pretty hungry by Friday afternoon, said he is taking vitamins and drinking apple juice.