LODI – Robert Beadles believes that he’s a man of the people.

Even before he was a legal adult Beadles was forced to turn to government assistance to help raise the child he had with the woman that has now been his wife for 15 years. He did everything possible to get off federal relief as soon as possible and find a solid way to provide for his family.

And now that he has firmly established a construction company as well as several real estate companies that allow him to be financially independent, Beadles – who is vying for the 11th Congressional District seat currently occupied by incumbent Jerry McNerney – will never forget where he came from.

“Being poor and having to pay for groceries with food stamps and rent with welfare – it’s humbling and I wanted out of there so bad,” he said. “It was awful, I hated being in that position, and I wanted more for my family.

“I was grateful that I had a government that was there to lend a hand, but I wanted off of that as soon as possible.”

Keeping in the spirit of his humble beginnings, one of Beadles’ real estate companies develops properties for low-income families. It is something he says he does as a way to give back since there were people who helped him when he needed it the most.

In order to share his story with as many people as possible, Beadles penned the book “Here’s What You Do”. It has since sold thousands of copies. He has received just as many letters from people telling him that he helped them save everything from their home to their marriage.

It was one writer, in fact, that suggested he make the run for McNerney’s seat. He eventually talked it over with his wife and decided to go for it.

And go for it he did.

During a town hall meeting that McNerney had, Beadles lit into the two-term congressman – essentially calling him a liar that isn’t looking out for his constituents and is in fact hurting us instead of helping us. He got no response.

“I’m a business guy, not a politician. When you see what’s going on with all of the string pulling, it’s a sign that we really need good people that are going to get things back on the constitutional track.

“I don’t believe that they have us as their number one goal – they’re too busy playing to party interests and lobbyists.”

Beadles lives in Lodi with his wife Nicole and his two sons: Aaron, 14, and Kyle, 9.