Former Rocklin High teacher running for president

Rocklin resident and former Rocklin High American history educator Julianne Benzel is running for president of the United States in 2020. The teacher first made headlines when she asked whether students could formally protest for any issue last March. A discussion between Benzel and her students last spring centered around whether students could peacefully protest any issue. That was prompted after students nationwide called for a national day of protest in honor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School victims in Parkland, Florida. Last March 14, the day of the national walkout, Benzel was told by district officials to stay at home and that she was to be put on administrative leave because several students and parents complained about Benzel saying that abortion is an issue students should be allowed to protest, according to district spokeswoman Diana Capra last March 14. The district then asked her to come back and work until she eventually resigned, according to Benzel. What followed was a national media circus for the district as national correspondents from CBS and Fox News interviewed Benzel. Benzel said she was praised by Fox News anchors Laura Ingraham and Tucker Carlson and was interviewed more than three times on network television in the following 48 hours. "They called me brave and courageous for standing up to a hypocritical idea that my students can only protest on certain matters that adhere to a certain viewpoint," Benzel said. Last May, the Placer County Republican Central Committee appointed her as the District Three representative, Benzel said. "I basically worked with them and we focused on the midterm elections," she said. "I left soon after because I wanted to focus on my own campaign." Benzel said she also stepped down because "the California Republican Party would endorse President Donald Trump in 2020," without question. "With the large amount of female candidates announcing their campaign from the left, I feel there needs be one on the other side of the isle," Benzel said. Her presidential campaign will focus on "facts over hyperbole," according to Benzel. In California, the Republican Party has to validate one's candidacy, Benzel said. "It's quite detailed and fascinating, really," she said. "You must get the nomination of a political party, run as an independent and petition the state to put your name on and citizens can write in your name." Phase one of Benzel's campaign starts at the June 30 annual "Celebrate America" Destiny Community Center event in Rocklin. "After that, we will be crisscrossing the country, primarily focused on the swing states," Benzel said, "arriving in Washington D.C. on Aug. 15." The six-week road tour will include Benzel, her husband, immediate family, a couple of "staffers" and a bus driver Benzel said the trip is "to engage with real Americans and highlight everyday average heroes" who make up the American electorate. "Our campaign slogan is 'United Forward,' because I believe there is more commanality than differences among Americans," Benzel said, "so my task as a candidate is to unite our country and move us forward in the process." Her three platform issues are health care, the economy and national security. "I know what policies work and which ones do not," Benzel said. "I actually think I have an historical advantage in terms of the deep knowledge and roots of our country."