Curtis Morrison

Curtis Morrison was born in Indiana. He graduated from Jeffersonville High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville in 2010 and a law degree from Whittier Law School in 2016. His career experience includes working as a attorney. Morrison has been affiliated with the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Fallbrook Democratic Club.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Raised in Southern Indiana, Curtis was a good kid, an Eagle Scout even. However, he embarked on an unconventional path, dropping out of college after his freshman year at Purdue University. After a couple of years in the pizza business, he built a real estate firm with his younger sister Rhonda.

In his late 30's, Curtis earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville, working at times as a substitute teacher, and for UPS. After that, he did a year of social work school, and rotated between activism, blogging, and Kentucky politics, even running unsuccessfully for state senate in 2012.

In 2014, Curtis was exposed as the source of a unflattering recording of Senator Mitch McConnell, leading to a politically-inspired FBI investigation triggered by McConnell. Curtis decided to make the best of the situation and moved to California to attend Whittier Law School. While studying abroad, Curtis met his husband and love of his life, Rodolfo. They'll be celebrating their 10th anniversary this summer.After graduating from law school, at 47 years old, Curtis moved to Oregon to work for a non-profit focused on climate change. In 2018, Curtis returned to Southern California to practice immigration law, eventually starting two law firms. His newest firm, Red Eagle Law, L.C., is based in Bonsall. It specializes in federal litigation on behalf of immigrant families, and employees attorneys and paralegals across the country.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As an immigration attorney, Curtis helps people achieve the American Dream. But Curtis believes It’s not just immigrants who need advocates to achieve that Dream. More and more, our federal government has evolved into providing the best outcomes only for the rich, leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves. It doesn’t have to be like this. The federal government can be a force for good, and deliver on the American Dream for everybody.Curtis believes Congress should serve as a check and balance on the Executive branch, and that’s not happening with our current representation. While the incumbent, Rep. Darrell Issa, wrote a book called “Watchdog,” lately he has co-sponsored legislation to put President Trump’s picture on the $100 bill, nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, and sponsored a bill to help the Trump administration evade review by federal judges. Curtis doesn't think that is watchdog behavior, but rather, lapdog behavior.People in this district depend upon the Affordable Care Act (as implemented through Covered California), Medicare, and Medicaid more than ever, but these programs are not perfect.

Congress should be working on ways to improve outcomes from these programs, not on ways to dismantle and abolish them to fund tax cuts for the rich.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

CLIMATE CHANGE: We have a duty to future generations to ensure they have a climate capable of sustaining human life. Plus, sustainability is an opportunity that serves to make our country more prosperous.

DUE PROCESS OF LAW: Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to hurriedly disappear people to CECOT without due process of law is unlawful. Anyone on US soil deserves due process. Anything less is not who we are.

IMMIGRATION: Immigrants should be treated fairly, and with dignity and respect. This doesn’t mean everyone gets to come to the US. Rather, it means our immigration policies should be orderly, rational, and transparent.

FIRE PREVENTION: We must give firefighters our full support, and that means funding mitigation.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official needs to care about creating better outcomes for their constituents, while remaining loyal to the law and particularly the Constitution.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm a critical thinker, and I have an eclectic approach to problem solving.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe a member of Congress should do the work of reviewing and understanding what the executive branch is doing, and holding the executive branch accountable when its actions are unlawful.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Just want to leave this place and the people here better than i found it.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The 1974 Brandenburg, Kentucky tornado. We lived about 30 miles away. I just turned 5. I spent all night trying to call my grandparents in Brandenburg using a rotary dial phone, not realizing just how bad it was and why that the phone lines were down. Remarkably, everyone in my family survived, but we didn't know that for a whole very long day.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

McDonald's - 2 years during high school.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Florida!!! by Taylor Swift

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Having a healthy diet.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The House is the most diverse branch of government, with representatives coming from all walks of life. At its best, this quality can lead to government solutions to big problems that cause no harm. It is hard work, but worth it.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe it is beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in governmen. But also, it is beneficial for representatives to have experience with other issues, like immigration, for example.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The US faces a lot of challenges over the coming decade, but how we prevent oligarchy from displacing our democracy has emerged as a frontrunner.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I think there should be term limits on members of Congress, and in my view, that limit should be 5 terms max.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

There's not one representative I would model myself after, but several. Former members and members I admire include Bruce Morrison, Lee Hamilton, John Yarmuth, Joaquin Castro, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Mike Levin, and Katie Porter.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I've talked with 48th District seniors who are very scared about their healthcare and Social Security. The Trump administration has created so much chaos that people don't know what is next, and they are scared. It doens't have to be like this.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is often necesssary, but at the end of the day, what we do has to leave people better than we found them and if we aren't doing that, then what's the point of compromise.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

To the extent I can weigh in on US tax policy, the rich need to pay their fair share.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Yes, the House should use its investigative powers. That's part of checks and balances.

What committees interest you?

House Oversight and Government Reform

Judiciary

Foreign Affairs

Energy and Commerce

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency is extremely important, especially in a post-Citizen's United world where the influence of dark money can sabotage a fair election.

I believe in government accountability, but think that's only possible with checks and balances where the congressional and judicial branches hold the executive branch accountable.

This is an especially important issue in this election, as the incumbent Darrell Issa has no interest in holding the executive branch accountable.