GENERAL WESLEY CLARK ENDORSES RUSS WARNER FOR CONGRESS IN THE 26TH DISTRICT

LA CANADA FLINTRDIGE - Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, General Wesley Clark today announced his support for Russ Warner, a small businessman and Rancho Cucamonga resident, who is running against David Dreier in the 26th Congressional district.

General Clark, who ran for President in 2004, made the announcement at a press conference preceding a fundraiser held for Warner at a private home in La Canada-Flintridge. Hundreds of supporters gathered to show their support for Warner, who has lived in the 26th district for 25 years with his wife, Kris, and their three sons.

General Clark said, "Russ Warner is just the kind of leader Californians deserve to have in Washington, DC. He has the perspective, experience and skills we need on Capitol Hill to face down the challenges we have both at home and abroad. I am proud to endorse his candidacy for Congress."

A cornerstone of Warner's campaign is supporting our troops and honoring our veterans. He welcomed the challenge to run for Congress at the urging of his son, Greg, who served in Iraq for 17 months and is now attending the West Point Preparatory School.

"I am so proud of my dad for taking on this challenge," said Greg Warner, a sergeant in the U.S. Army, who was home on break and attended the event. "He helped me make it through the war, and I will help him make it through this battle."

Russ Warner said his family's support and the endorsement from Clark mean a great deal to him. "I have so much respect for General Clark. I hope to have the opportunity to represent the 26th district in Congress with the same level of intelligence, integrity and dignity as General Clark has shown in his own service to our nation."

As part of his campaign, Warner emphasizes the need to support our troops and honor our veterans. "We have the greatest military in the world," Warner said. "We shouldn't hold our men and women in uniform responsible for the lies and failed policies of this administration."

Along with Clark's endorsement, Warner is supported by Congresswoman Hilda Solis, Congressman Adam Schiff and numerous other elected officials and labor organizations, including the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO and the California Teachers Association. He recently received 81 percent of the vote in a pre-endorsement conference for the California State Democratic Party.

In announcing his candidacy in November, Warner said he will work hard for America¹s families by protecting the middle class and promoting small business as the foundation of the new American economy.

"An investment in small business is an investment in America," said Warner.

"I believe our nation should be run more like a small family business because small family businesses take care of their young. They make sure they have a quality education and access to good healthcare. They also teach them fiscal responsibility because without that, there will be no small family business."

Through Warner's own entrepreneurial spirit, he grew his own small family business ­ Warner International Periodical Services, Inc., into one of the top niche magazine distribution companies in the nation, supporting many other small businesses in the process.

A strong work ethic and the importance of family and community were instilled in Warner at an early age by his grandfather, a West Virginia minister, and his stepfather, who worked tirelessly to provide for the family. Seeking a better life, Warner's father moved the family to Ohio, then Arizona, finally settling in California when Russ was 12 years old.

After graduating from high school, Warner worked fulltime while enrolled at Cypress Junior College before taking a position at U.S. News & World Report, where he learned the magazine distribution trade.

The 26th congressional district extends more than 50 miles along the foothills from La Crescenta to Rancho Cucamonga. Warner's campaign headquarters is located at 10064 Foothill Boulevard, between Haven and Archibald in Rancho Cucamonga. Telephone banks run on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the office is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about the campaign or volunteering, please visit the website at www.warnerforcongress.com or contact info@warnerforcongress.com or call 909.837.9474.