Washington (CNN) - He's a Senate hopeful who's the father of an "American Idol" judge. And he wants to replicate the success of a senator who's the father of a former "American Idol" contestant.
Will former Rep. Joe DioGuardi, R-New York, be able to do what Senator Scott Brown, R-Massachusetts, recently did: carry a historically Democratic state as a Republican? Not to mention that Brown's daughter, Ayla, was a finalist on Fox's "American Idol" – and DioGuardi's daughter, Kara, currently appears on the show.
Today, Joe DioGuardi announced he's running for Senate for New York. In a statement, the certified public accountant says, "America has rightly rejected Congress's spend more, tax more, borrow more philosophy."
He adds, "Washington doesn't seem to listen for long. As a New York Senator, I would stand up for the commonsense economic and fiscal policies that would bring jobs to New York and put America back on the right track."
Related: Senor may challenge Gillibrand, sources say
DioGuardi's announcement marks a return to politics after serving two terms in the House of Representatives in the late 1980s.
His daughter, "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi, tells CNN she's "excited."
She spoke to CNN in a telephone interview. The songwriter says she remembers growing up in a political family, campaigning for her father and traveling to Washington.
When asked to put her famous songwriting skills to work on a campaign slogan, Kara DioGuardi thought for a moment, and came up with a simple line, "Vote for Joe."
Kara DioGuardi says her father is "somebody who works hard when he believes in something." Asked what kind of senator her father might be, she says he would tackle tough issues.
Kara DioGuardi says "ridiculous spending" by the government has "has gotten crazy." And she says her father will concern himself with government accountability.
The daughter declined to discuss her own political views and whether they align with her father's. But she did say she would work with him, if he wins, "on certain issues, of course." She cited issues of concern to the music community, such as copyright infringement and piracy.
CNN also asked the daughter if she'd ever follow her father into politics. "Perhaps," she said. "Definitely don't want to rule anything out."
From CNN Politics
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Question is......is he his own man, like Brown, or will he be a slave to the political machine????
Well, if his daughter is an American Idol judge then I'm sure that Joe is the best choice for public office.
I mean how can you possible argue that?
Why does his daughter being a judge on American Idol make him a good choice? What did he do in his terms serving in the House? These are things that he needs to answer. He will be serving if elected and not his daughter.
What a reason to vote for someone for the Senate, " my daughter is a judge on American Idol and my other daughter was a finalist." Oh, by the way I do agree with the observation that spending is out of control in Washington and both Reps and Dems have been doing it for decades. This guy states the obivious but hasn't said what he would do to fix the problem. Be specific, dont spin, obfisicate, change the subject, or pass the buck by laying all the blame for our economic woes on Obama and the Dems. What does he mean by commonsense anyway? His, mine or whatever the Rep leadership tells him it is. Sounds like more of the same old BS to me.
Shes a Republican... I dislike her even more now!
As an accountant, I would like him to tell me where money will come from. If we can't tax, and we can't borrow, what's left? C'mon Joe, get a clue. You are an accountant, so I am guessing math is your strong suit. How do you provide simple services, like Military, infrastructure, etc without taxation? Oh, wait, you cut social programs like Medicare and Social Security. But guess what, the secret is out. The Republicans have too long played the "Borrow from Social Security to pay other things" and now it's backfiring because the borrowing has never been paid back. And you want to perpetuate that mindset? Go for it, but first, give me back every penny I have invested in SS for the past 30 years.
His daughter is a judge/celebrity on Idol? He is definately qualified to be a Senator.
This is such a complete joke.....
Do right wingnuts really think that spending trillions on an unnecessary war in Iraq, tax cuts for the wealthy, and Bush's unfunded drug program and bank bailout represent the republican policy of 'controlled spending?'
What an insult on American people. Are saying we have to vote for a politician just because they are the father or son of celebrity?
Pathetic.
Republicans think politics is some kind of game.
It's about America and our future, not some b.s. REALITY TV show popularity contest.
Just what we need – new blood. Hopefully he will be an asset. If not, there's always the voters TERM LIMITS – (our vote) This is the time to get a fresh start.
And the Repugliban complain of politicians being mere celebrities, it is pretty bad when you have to depend upon the celebrity status of your daughters to aid you in a campaign for election. It seems Repugliban can not go deep enough below the bottom of the barrel to satisfy their need to be in power. This however would seem to be the lowest anyone has sought to go yet to be elected, next perhaps we will parade our whole family out to get us elected, oh, sorry Sarah Make Up with No Brains already did that.
Eww Republican. Her opinion counts less now.
figures her father would be a republican...she's the biggest moron on the AI judging panel...and that's not a far fetch from the other clowns with the except of Simon!
Conflict of interest, and if he is anything like Kara is on American Idol, please DO NOT vote for him!
Here's a pair to draw to and they must be pretty sharp because they are able to say "spend" and relate it to the current congress, wow. They sure know how to grab attention. How about this for a change ... " the previous administration put this country into an untenable economic collapse and it's [America] finally coming out of it because of stimulus spending, however we do recognize the long term import of this activity and in time will work with the president and Congressional Democrats to redirect this upward trend to move towards balanced budgets!!!"
The party that constantly trashes celebrities is going to run the father of a celebrity. Nothing new. Same old hypocrisy.
She needs to be removed as a judge on American Idol....NOW
Please!!! If we don't like you on Idol who says we want your dad in the Senate
More Republican lies and hypocrisy. Why is Republican's don't give a rodent's buttocks about deficit spending when they're in power? Why do they cling to failed economic policies of cutting revenue through unfunded tax cuts, borrow and spend for their gunboat imperialism, drive us to the brink of total economic collapse, and yet refuse to spend on dime to avert total economic collapse? Could it be they got there's - the stimulus worked in restoring the value of all their precious investments - and now those without jobs and health care can just shove it?
Why do Republicans hate America?
This healthcare reform is about socialism not healthcare. What's up with Deem and pass? What backroom deal is next? Wake up America!
I would vote for him if Idol refuses to bring back Ellen.
As Cowell would say "'Love you,love the dress, don't know your dad. But If I'm being perfectly honest I would not vote for a Republican for anything above dog catcher."
Please vote her father off the island.
Joe is wrong. It's not just the politiicians who stop listening but it's the people of the United States who stop listening. If everyone in this country paid attention to politics every single day the republican party would be a thing of the past.