Candidate for
United States Representative; District 45

Colonel Gregory G. Raths USMC (RET)

Greg Raths is resolute in his commitment to the conservative principles that have guided him throughout his life and throughout his years of service to his country. At the core of those principles lies a firm belief in limited government that inspires trust, and demands accountability. Greg is a passionate leader and defender of national security, economic growth, and upholding rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Greg was born and reared in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the fifth of eight children born to Viola and John Raths. He and his wife have instilled a love and duty of country in their three children like his parents did to their children. Greg attended Bourgade Catholic High School in Phoenix where he learned the value of a good foundational education, a value that continues in him to this day.

Greg went on to Arizona State University where he earned his Bachelor Degree in Business. He later earned a Master Degree from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. Greg has always recognized that education and learning are lifelong pursuits. Putting his beliefs into action, he enrolled at CSUF and earned another Bachelor Degree in History and Political Science and looks to pursue a Doctorate degree. Greg is a staunch supporter of quality educational opportunities for all, from kindergarten through post-graduate education. He recognizes that the strength of our young people is based from the excellence of their educational opportunities. Greg is a long time homeowner and resident of Mission Viejo. He moved to Orange County in 1978 as a young First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. During the 30 years that he served as a Marine officer and fighter pilot, he became a decorated combat veteran of Desert Storm and went on to command several aircraft units post war, including Commanding Officer of Marine Aircraft Group 46 at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. At the time, it was the largest composite air group in the Marine Corps, with over 2,000 personnel and 70 aircraft. During the tragedies of 9/11, Greg was part of the military air support leadership responsible for protecting southern California, to defend against potential further attacks against our homeland.

In October 2004, Greg retired from the Marines at the rank of Colonel. His experience in government includes serving three years in Washington, D.C. As a Lieutenant Colonel, Greg was assigned by the Defense Department to serve under the President of the United States as the Assistant Chief of Staff for The White House Military Office. He would work hand-in-hand with the Military Office's Chief of Staff, an Air Force Colonel. It was while he was assigned to the White House that Greg got an up-close and personal view of how our government and more to the point, the executive branch operated and sometimes didn't operate. From the lessons learned from that experience, he now wants to take that know-how with him to Capitol Hill. Greg recognizes that this great nation needs solutions to our problems, not politics as usual.

Since 2004, Greg flew as a commercial airline pilot followed by serving as president of an automobile parts distribution firm in Anaheim. In 2009, Greg was honored by his high school, Bourgade Catholic, when he was inducted into its Hall of Fame.

Greg has been married to his wife Luci for 32 years. They have three children. His son Michael, is the third generation of military aviators in the Raths family and now an accomplished business regional sales manager for a Fortune 500 company. His daughters, Kristen and Kathryn, are both elementary school teachers with the Irvine Unified School District. Luci is a supervisor for student teachers at the University of California, Irvine.

Greg and Luci recently became grandparents. As beautiful as his little granddaughters Julia Kate and Katelyn Elisabeth are, Greg is keenly aware that even before their first birthdays, they will be mired in a debt of over $60,120.00, their share of an ever burgeoning national debt that current and past politicians have piled up on future generations. Greg knows this must stop. Greg is not part of the political status quo that is causing today's problems in the state of California and Washington, D.C. Greg is beholden to no special interest groups or lobbyists. He is an opportunity conservative Republican leader who wants to ensure the opportunities he was given in life are available to his children and grandchildren. Greg has fought to uphold the Constitution his entire adult life, and as a U.S. Congressman for California's 45th Congressional District, he will rein in the ever expanding scope of the Federal Government, restore America's trust with a renewed spirit of honesty and transparency, and defend the security, the prosperity, and the liberty of those he represents in the 45th District, and of all citizens of the United States of America.