News 14 Carolina sent a questionnaire to everyone running for office in the Charlotte viewing area and in statewide races. Read what the Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress 10th District had to say.

Why are you running for this office?
I did not plan on a life in politics. I had become frustrated with how things in Washington work—or rather how things in Washington don’t work. My life has been dedicated to public service, first as a Naval officer, then as a legislative aide working on veterans and military issues, and most recently serving the state of North Carolina as a prosecutor. But when people that I respect from growing up in the 10th District approached me about running for Congress, I saw that we needed a new voice in Washington. We need a Congressman who looks past partisan politics to meet our real needs: the need for new jobs, lower gas prices, fiscal responsibility in government, and care for our military men and women.

What are your top 3 priorities?
1.Reviving Our Economy: The only export that NAFTA and CAFTA and trade laws modeled after them produced were American jobs, and the 10th District was among the hardest hit. We must invest in our infrastructure and in new technologies to attract new employers to our District. In Congress, I will advocate for our small businesses, which encourage innovation and provide the bedrock for our communities. And I will work to reform and support our public education system so that our children are prepared to compete in this new and expanding global economy.

2. Reducing our Dependence on Foreign Oil: Energy independence is an economic issue, a security issue, and a moral issue. Skyrocketing gas prices are bankrupting our families and our small businesses. At the same time, our nation’s dependence on Middle East oil leaves our national security at the mercy of foreign regimes. In Congress, I will work with private industry and consumers to increase efficiency in fossil fuel use and to encourage the production of renewable energy sources. These efforts will drive down gas prices, secure our nation, create jobs, and protect our natural recourses.

3. Caring for Our Veterans: Our nation owes its prosperity and freedom to the members of our armed services. As a veteran, I understand the great sacrifices made daily by the men and women who wear America’s uniform. I will never stop fighting to ensure that our military men and women receive every possible resource to meet their objectives in battle and to lead healthy, productive lives when they come home.

If elected, what is the biggest issue facing your constituents over the next term?
In Congress, my highest priority will be to help our District recover from the loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs. I will fight for fair, enforceable trade laws that safeguard North Carolina jobs and increase the export of products produced here. I will protect North Carolina’s favorable business climate so that new industries continue to move into our region, while also ensuring that the community’s needs are met. I will also work to position the 10th District to take advantage of new industries and waves of economic growth, such as the development of renewable energy sources.

How do you consider yourself different than your opponent(s) in this race?
I believe that I can bring courage and character back to Washington, and be a Congressman that the 10th District can trust to fight for their needs. The current representative has made a career of promoting only himself and his partisan talking points. He demonstrated that he does not have the competence or the character to represent our District most recently during a trip to Iraq. He referred to a member of the security detail in Baghdad’s Green Zone as a “two-bit security guard” and he was asked by the Pentagon to remove a video from his website in which he described the exact number and location of a rocket attack. We live in serious times, and as a veteran, a prosecutor, and an expectant father, I believe I have the judgment and leadership needed to serve our community’s best interests. During a time of economic instability at home and war and terrorism abroad, we need a leader who will roll up his sleeves and work hard to build a better future for our children.

2. Healthcare: The US spends more per person on healthcare than any other nation, yet we no longer have the best care. Costs are soaring. Families can no longer afford the premiums and companies are dropping healthcare benefits “to be more competitive”. Millions are going without health care coverage.

We are fast approaching a point where Healthcare Insurance will only be available to the wealthy or the healthy. And employment is often denied because of pre-existing health conditions.

Healthcare affects all of us. I promise to fight for a system that’s more equitable and gives every American better care. We are already spending the money. We are just getting a bad deal.

3. Energy: Twenty years ago our nation led the world with an aggressive energy R&D policy. Now other countries are far ahead of us. Our best labs are empty and in administrative chaos. We must invest in energy R & D so we can reduce our dependency on coal & oil. Coal is the largest factor in the degradation of our environment and our national policy has been distorted by our need for oil. I am an engineer and can understand and guide this tough technical battle effectively.

Gas prices continue to be a growing burden. In the last week alone, prices have risen more than 10%. We have known some of the answers for decades—smaller cars, more efficient cars, more public transportation etc.—but have not had the will or the leadership to make it happen. Drilling the last bit of public land will not provide long-term relief.

While the cost of fuel is bringing the nation to its knees, the oil companies are posting record profits. For example last year, Shell posted $40 Billion in profits. In addition, the Bush administration and Congress have given this same industry new tax breaks. It does not cost any more to refine/distribute $100/barrel oil than it does $30/barrel oil. This is not right for our country. Pressure both informal and legislative should be brought to bear. Finally, we must stabilize the dollar, which is one of the major contributors to rising fuel prices.

If elected, what is the biggest issue facing your constituents over the next term?

Job Creation and Job Retention. I see a three-pronged approach. First we need to focus on trade negotiations and legislation. As your Congressman, I will be looking at trade deals that affect existing or sought after industries in our District. We need to move away from “free trade” and toward “fair trade”. Other countries want to sell their products into our large middle class market. Congress must demand that our trade negotiators use this market clout to get US products into foreign markets thus protecting US jobs. We must stop giving tax breaks to corporations for outsourcing our jobs. It’s time we incentivize businesses instead for keeping the jobs here where they belong.

I will be an ambassador to attract the right employers to our region. First we must identify what businesses we want to focus on. The Catawba County Foresight Study is a good start and I will encourage all ten of our counties to make similar studies of their strengths and goals. I will work closely with State/County/City/Town governments, local Economic Development Commissions, Chambers of Commerce and groups like Advantage West and the Western Piedmont Council of Governments and all our educational resources to have a Regional Strategy for job creation. My office will provide outreach services, a Washington presence and coordination where indicated. As an engineer with experience in manufacturing, I am familiar with just about every machine, process, or job function. This experience gives me the background to sell our regional strengths effectively. My business training and background will help me to assemble an effective Staff effort both in the District and in Washington.

Third and finally, I am very concerned about the jobs that local people create (historically 80% of new jobs come from small businesses). I will work to see that local capital and Federal assistance are made available to fund their growth. I have worked with a number of entrepreneurial, start-up businesses. Places like the Triangle, Charlotte and even Ashville have active venture capital and other programs to encourage the growth of new, grass roots, industry. I know of no similar effective effort in the Tenth District. It’s time we become as competitive as Charlotte or the Triangle—this is where jobs are needed.

The overall Goal is production for world and domestic markets and good paychecks for our citizens not more bureaucracy.

How do you consider yourself different than your opponent(s) in this race?

Our country is beset by a number of crises: economic, scientific and military to name a few. Its time we send to Washington representatives who can bring fresh ideas and new approaches to our problems. I am a creative problem solver with a different perspective—I am a businessman, a veteran and engineer/inventor. In Japan most of their parliament has engineering and manufacturing backgrounds. Most in the US Congress have legal of political science backgrounds. I promise to ask the tough questions, research alternative approaches and not just propose or vote for the “conventional or usual” solutions. And as an activist I have a history of working across party lines to find the best solution for the region.

I understand that new policy creation is difficult. I am not invested in or beholding to any special interest or professional group. I am a fiscal conservative but a social moderate. I understand the impact on our nation’s future of our growing deficit, low personal savings rate and poor balance of trade. I understand how important a vibrant manufacturing sector is both to our citizens and from a strategic military standpoint. I have traveled throughout the world and read extensively in economics, foreign affairs and military history. I have lived in large cities like Washington. I have firm roots in 3 of the 10 counties of the district. I know our farms, factories and people.