Sardo to challenge Dreier for third time

La Cañada businessman Sonny Sardo will try for the third time this year to defeat Rep. David Dreier in the June 3 Republican primary for the 26th Congressional District, which includes La Cañada Flintridge.

“It’s not enough just to be a Republican,” Sardo said of the many term incumbent. He said his main issue with Dreier is on immigration, particularly with the congressman’s support of the Central America Free Trade Agreement, which he said has “eroded our sovereignty and security.”

Sardo, who owns Sardo Interiors in La Cañada, is active in local Republican organizations and is a Vietnam veteran. He also performs with the Sardo Brothers Band at community events.

The candidate said he drew 27% of the vote in the 2006 primary, and expects to do better with a volunteer-driven campaign throughout the 755-square-mile district, which, according to the 2000 Census, includes over 639,000 residents.

Also filing for Dreier’s seat in Congress as a Republican is Mel Milton of Walnut, who ran in 2006. Filing as Democrats are Cynthia Matthews of La Verne and Russ Warner of Rancho Cucamonga. Ted Brown of Pasadena is running as a Libertarian.

Dreier, who is 55, has served in Congress since 1981. He is the ranking minority member on the House Rules Committee.