Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 77

Biography

I was born and raised in the small town of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. After graduating from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1986, I attended a 4 year trade school at Manitowoc Institute of Technology, majoring in plastic injection mold design and graduating in the top 10% of my class.

I moved to San Diego in 1990 and gravitated towards east county for the small town feel. I started my first business, Belitz Mold & Product Design in 1991. I also started a surfboard fin manufacturing and marketing company, Shark Fins, in 2000. In addition to running my businesses I am a full time mold designer at Pacific Plastics in Sorrento Valley since 1994. In 2003, I formed a third company Belitz English fins Inc (BEFI) in partnership with Jae English, the owner of Pacific Plastics. This new company has developed a proprietary surfboard fin-mounting system, allowing fins to be installed and adjusted in the water without the need of any tools. BEFI has recently been granted a comprehensive patent with 23 claims for their new product, which is just beginning customer trials.

My political involvement started young as a member of the young Republicans. I soon realized that my views and philosophies did not match the big government ideas that the Republicans have come to represent. When I was first introduced to the philosophy of the Libertarian party I realized that I had found a new political home. The Libertarians and I believe in the free market process, no new taxes, and have a great respect for civil liberties and personal freedoms. I do not believe in the use of government force to achieve the people's compliance. I believe that the government that governs the least governs the best.

I married my wife Lisa in 1997 and we have enjoyed a rewarding, loving and active life together in San Diego. I enjoy a broad range of activities in and around San Diego, from the ocean to the mountains to the deserts. I am in the water nearly everyday, surfing, scuba diving, fishing, or racing sailboats. When I am not in the water, you can find me in the mountains and deserts, snowboarding, hiking, hunting, or camping often with Lisa at my side. I love living in San Diego and hope that if given the opportunity to serve I can preserve what makes San Diego such a great city and work to make it better.

Rich Belitz