Mike Dugas was the 2004 Republican Party candidate for California's 5th Congressional District. This seat was held by Rep. Bob Matsui (D-Sacramento) prior to his death on January 1, 2005 and is now held by his widow. Political analysts and State Party officals saw Dugas' 2004 run for Congress as a training zone for potential political ventures for the future.

Born in 1977 in Miami, Florida, Dugas grew up in South Florida. He attended college at the University of Florida, earning his Masters Degree in Statistics there in May of 2000. Dugas attended the University of California, Davis to pursue his doctorate in statistics. Currently, he is completing his Ph.D. and he is consulting businesses on statistical problems part-time.

Dugas' involvement in politics began in 2001, immediately after he arrived in California. He became a vocal conservative political campus activist, after being shocked by what he perceived as a "liberal university establishment" at the University of California, Davis. His innovative political activities on campus often garnered the attention of local, state and national media ranging from the Sacramento Bee to The Daily Show. Through this, he quickly rose to become the 2003-04 State Co-Chairman of the California College Republicans.

External links

• Campaign Website
• Professor Mike Dugas Statistics Website at UC Davis
• Dugas's Professor Ratings on Ratemyprofessors.com