This story was originally published on www.ksby.com.

The number of candidates running for the 24th Congressional District seat once Lois Capps retires is growing. There are now nine candidates, several with no political experience, such as Republican Justin Fareed of Goleta.

Fareed has never held an elected political position and said it’s that inexperience that gives him a leg up on those with years in office.

“That’s the critique I get from my opponents that I don’t have years of experience as a politician and I say ‘Thank God,'” said Fareed when asked about his lack of political experience.

Running for the seat being left vacant by Congresswoman Lois Capps after 18 years in office, Fareed said it’s the career politicians who are creating a dysfunctional system.

“People are thinking more about their next election than they are the policies that are affecting the next generation,” Fareed said.

He supports repealing the Affordable Care Act.

“We need to have bipartisan support on healthcare reform and folks are getting the type of healthcare they deserve.”

Fareed said more gun laws won’t stop the violence.

“We need to focus more on the mental health component of this and seeing that through which isn’t happening at any level.”

Fareed also supports reforming the budget structure so there’s more accountability for how taxpayer money is being spent, a flat tax rate for a simpler tax code and a guest worker program to help with immigration reform.

CEO of his family’s orthopedic therapy device company and a cattle rancher, Fareed said it’s time for political outsiders to take over Washington.

“That’s something I keep hearing from voters they’re frustrated with the direction we’re heading in and they’re concerned with their current leaders in government who are not doing anything to improve that,” he said.

Whether he’d vote for his party’s current frontrunner for president, a fellow political outsider, Fareed said he’s keeping his focus on the congressional race.

Fareed worked as a congressional aide in 2013 but resigned saying he was fed up with the “status quo.” He said it’s the same thing that pulled him back into politics.

This is Fareed’s second go at the 24th district seat, which covers Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties as well as a portion of Ventura County.

The candidates will take part in a debate at Cal Poly on Thursday, February 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.