Congressional candidate vows hunger strike until opponent agrees to debate

Los Angeles Times (2010-08-11) Tony Perry

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August 11, 2010 | 6:13 pm

One of the frustrations of political challengers is getting the incumbent to debate.

Ray Lutz, a Democratic candidate in the 52nd Congressional District in eastern San Diego County, has a novel approach: a hunger strike until one-term Republican incumbent Duncan D. Hunter agrees to debate.

“Until Hunter steps up to the plate, I’ll be stepping away from the dinner plate,” Lutz said.

The hunger strike is set to officially begin at sundown Thursday.

Lutz has encouraged supporters to sit in an “isolation booth” outside his campaign office along Promenade Park in El Cajon and maybe engage in a one-day fast of their own to further goad the incumbent.

Lutz is known for persistence. He was a leader in the movement to block the Blackwater security firm from opening a local training facility.

During his hunger strike, he’s vowed to continue blogging, Twittering and You Tubing.

-- Tony Perry