Democrat

Arizona since: Birth.

Occupation: U.S. Congress since 1991; Maricopa County Supervisor, 1976-1991.

Marital: Married (Verma).

Children: 2.

Religious preference: Catholic.

Education: J.D., ASU, 1974; B.A., chemistry, ASU, 1966.

Political experience: U.S. Congress since 1991; Maricopa County Supervisor since 1976.

Memberships: Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Blues Society, AZ Town Hall, The Nature Conservancy, Friends of Eight, Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary, Par-Gents.

Interests: Music and sports.

Political influence: I have had many. It is difficult to name one.

Top priority: Stabilize the economy to create employment opportunities and continue economic growth in the United States.

Respected opponent: John Rhodes.

Job creation measures: Provide tax incentives to expanding businesses and new business that are creating employment opportunities; implement a huge infrastructure program to rebuild America.

Illegal immigration: Pass comprehensive immigration reform which includes a viable and fair guest worker program.

Federal deficit: Eliminate or reduce duplicative programs and non-essential spending; increase revenues.

President Obama’s qualifications: No.

Libertarian

Arizona since: 2006.

Occupation: Senior tax advisor, H&R Block, since 1998 (part-time, seasonal); retired from adjunct faculty, MBA program, Concordia University (Irvine, CA), 2005-2006; retired from adjunct faculty, Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa, CA), 2000-2006; retired from adjunct faculty, Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA), 2000-2005.

Marital: Partnered (Emily Goldberg, paralegal, self-employed).

Children: 1.

Religious preference: Did not respond.

Education: M.B.A., economics, University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, 1977; B.A, economics, University of Chicago, 1966.

Political experience: Fifty years of political party precinct work, beginning in Chicago 1962; treasurer, Arizona Libertarian Party, since 2007; treasurer, Maricopa County Libertarian Party, since 2006; chair, Orange County (CA) Libertarian Party, 2005-2006; chair, Libertarian Party Judicial Committee, 1975-1979; secretary, Libertarian Party of Illinois, 1972-1975. Chief economist, U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee, 1992-93; Republican staff director, Congressional Joint Economic Committee, 1990-91; senior economist, Congressional Joint Economic Committee, 1985-90; legislative aide to Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX), 1983-85; deputy director, The White House Office of Policy Information, 1982.

Memberships: Libertarian Party, American Economic Assn, Nat’l Assn of Business Economists.

Interests: Current events, reading history and biography, Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Ballet, Phoenix Art Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Zoo, fine dining.

Political influence: I read Senator Barry Goldwater’s book, “Conscience of a Conservative,” when I was 15 and he sparked my interest in libertarian philosophy. I purposely attended the University of Chicago to study under Prof. F.A. Hayek, who authored “The Road to Serfdom” and “Constitution of Liberty,” and Milton Friedman, who authored “Capitalism and Freedom,” all before I was 20.

Top priority: Reform U.S. immigration laws to repeal racist 1924 visa quota system and allow workers to come to this country. Persons coming to the U.S. for work should not be eligible for welfare and should pass health and background checks. The current “family unification” priority in immigration law and the limited national visa quotas effectively guarantee workers are prevented and elderly family members (welfare candidates) are admitted.

Respected opponent: Democratic President Grover Cleveland was famous for supporting the gold standard, low tariffs, rejecting the annexation of Hawaii when Americans overthrew that monarchy, and vetoing a farm relief appropriation of money during a Texas drought (because welfare subsidies are not in the Constitution). In the Republican Party, I admire President Calvin Coolidge for similar reasons. In 21st century politics, I admire the work of Rep. Paul Ryan on resolving the U.S. fiscal crisis, and any Democrat in Congress who has opposed the wars (Afghanistan, Iraq, and “drugs”).

Job creation measures: I would immediately reverse the EPA’s actions to prohibit power generation from coal and its other regulations that create higher costs and uncertainties regarding investment. I would work for tax cuts and eventual repeal of the federal income tax, as well as all tax disincentives for investment and employment found in excise taxes, payroll taxes, import taxes, and resource licensing fees.

Illegal immigration: See my answer to No.2 above. Workers already in the United States would apply for work visas under the same conditions as new immigrant applicants from abroad. Since most “illegal” immigrants come on airplanes, with legal temporary visas, I would establish a comprehensive visa tracking system and approve changes in status to work visa upon application.

Federal deficit: Cuts in spending, particularly entitlements, are the only way to reduce the deficit. Increasing taxes will only further hamper the economy and permanently increase American unemployment levels to those found in Europe. In particular, I would eliminate farm subsidies, subsidies to cities, and repeal Obamacare. I would favor significant cuts in military programs, redeployment of American forces to the continental U.S., and significant reductions in foreign aid.

President Obama’s qualifications: I do not consider questions of his legitimate birth in Hawaii to be valid. I do seriously question the president’s political philosophy and judgment and on the basis of my disagreement with him, I think he is an “unqualified” leader.