Name: Gus M. Bilirakis
Age: 49
Residence: Palm Harbor
Occupation: lawyer
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: Florida House of Representatives1998–2006, U.S. House of Representatives 2007-Present
Office being sought: Florida’s 12th Congressional District
Why are you running for this office?
I was raised to appreciate public service. I have wanted nothing more than to serve the people of my district, to give back to my community, and it has been a distinct privilege to represent the Tampa Bay area in Congress. I believe my work ethic, integrity, even-tempered demeanor and deep-rooted passion for this nation has allowed me to work in a bipartisan manner to help not only my constituents, but all American citizens.
What are your top three priorities?
1. We must help restore the American economy by ensuring an environment that allows the private sector to be productive. I have cosponsored and voted for legislation that gives entrepreneurial Americans the tools to start new businesses or expand existing ones. Businesses must be allowed to operate free of burdensome taxes and regulation.
2. Investments our seniors and soon-to-be-seniors made into Social Security and Medicare must be preserved. We must protect these services for future generations. It is unfair seniors who have contributed their entire lives might be shortchanged because politicians have a huge appetite for spending. One way to keep Medicare solvent is enhance transparency.
3. The size of the federal government must be kept in check. Raising taxes is not the answer. I support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, which would prohibit the outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that year.
Why should voters choose you?
Because I am one of them. I live in our community and my children go to the same public schools. I know the needs of my constituents because my family and I share their values. I am exceedingly accessible and pride myself in the extraordinary constituent service that I have come to be known for.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
As Vice Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, the Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded a clinic in New Port Richey that provides mental health counseling and dental services to veterans; and middle-aged veterans are able to obtain educational opportunities at local community colleges. As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, federal, state, and local governments have made significant advancements in the levels of preparedness for disasters. And as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, conditions were placed on the expenditure of foreign aid to countries that wish us harm or violate the rights of their people.
Name: John Russell
Age: 56
Residence: Dade City
Occupation: nurse practitioner, hematology/oncology
Political affiliation: no party affiliation
Political experience: Democratic Nominee for U.S. House District 5 in 2006 and 2008
Office being sought: Florida’s 12th Congressional District
Why are you running for this office?
I am running to return to the people “their voice in congress.” I have learned that unless a person has something to “trade” for political favors, such as 100 checks for $2,500 each, then your voice will not be heard. Citizens United has dramatically worsened this inequity, as unlimited funds from the ultra rich and powerful control the people’s “representatives” from BOTH major political parties. As a candidate, I have turned down such offers in the past and will again. This destructive paradigm offers the very clear reasoning behind my NPA registration status.
What are your top three priorities?
1. Reverse Economic Inequality: I will advocate for major economic/tax reform policies that will reverse economic inequality in this country. I would seek to accomplish this by advocating major reforms such as reinstating The Glass-Steagall Act and taking action to repeal The Commodities Futures Trading Act.
2. Medicare for ALL: As a nurse practitioner with experience in health care, I have pertinent knowledge that the incumbent does not, when it comes to understanding much less, developing/analyzing health care policy.
3. Campaign Finance/Election Reform: America must pursue dramatic Campaign Finance/Election Reform in order to once again return to the people their long forgotten “voice.” Corporate America owns our political system. The American Legislative Exchange Council advances candidates in state and local races who play ball with those who finance their campaigns. The ONLY way Americans can take back their democracy is demand money be diminished in importance in elections.
Why should voters choose you?
There is a crisis of integrity in government at every level. I am not a candidate because I need a career. I ask for your vote because I am sick of OUR interests being ignored or treated with sarcasm, by “name politicians” of BOTH major political parties who prefer to represent corporate interests to those of the voter. I offer in response to this problem my broad education, professional background in health care and finance as well as political experience. I offer solutions to OUR problems, and as YOUR representative, I can promise that I will not “Sell Out!”
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
I ask the voters to compare the background and experience of the candidates, as well as the consequences to them regarding our varied positions on the issues. That is all I ask. I am not in need of a career. I offer a history of demonstrated academic/professional accomplishment that is transferable to being an effective congressman. It is significant to the role of being a congressman, that those who wish to be considered for the position have experience in making important judgments, working with a team, resisting coercion, remaining accountable, while possessing the wisdom to consider consequences broadly. I am truly interested in serving the interests of those who place me in office. As I stated earlier, the integrity of our political system is in need of repair. I humbly ask for your vote to begin the job of repairing it. Thank you very much.
Name: Jonathan Michael Snow
Age: 25
Residence: Tarpon Springs
Occupation: photo specialist
Political affiliation: Democratic
Political experience: None
Office being sought: Florida’s 12th Congressional District
Why are you running for this office?
It was President John F. Kennedy that said, “Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man.” I’m running to add my voice and ideas in an effort to help solve the many economic problems that Congressional Republicans created and have continuously refused to address or even acknowledge.
What are your top three priorities?
1. Strengthen the economy. I propose the America Works Again Program as a 21st century version of the New Deal. It is not a “Make Work” initiative. It focuses on employing people to do important work: building/repairing schools, fixing infrastructure, increasing broadband and wireless Internet access and updating the power grid.
2. Protect Social Security. Despite the facts that Social Security does not impact the federal budget, nor does it add one penny to the defici Congressional Republicans insist on cutting benefits and raising the retirement age. Working Americans have earned the right to expect Social Security.
3. Expand health care access. A National Health Insurance Program (NHI) is the only affordable universal option. President Obama’s health care act was an important first step toward attaining quality for all. NHI will expand access and reduce costs. It will squeeze out bureaucratic waste and eliminate perverse incentives that threaten quality care.
Why should voters choose you?
I believe the vast majority of Americans agree on a great deal of issues, and I want to be a part of uniting Americans behind common sense solutions to fix our problems. Together, we the people can, once again, work to put this country back on the right track. However, Congressional Republicans want to continue playing the politics of diversion and division! And, if they’re successful in this election, the programs Republicans propose will take us back to the same exact policies that got us into this economic mess in the first place! We can and must fix America NOW!
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
No response given
