Americans Elect

Age: 37. (07/09/1974, Pittsburg, PA).

Arizona since: 2006.

Occupation: Financial advisor, USAA, since 2006; financial advisor/compliance officer/registered principal, Ameriprise, 2002-2004 and 2005-2006; compliance officer/register principal, LPL, 2004-2005.

Marital: Married (Kimberlee Kiewel, police officer).

Religious preference: Byzantine Catholic.

Education: Chartered retirement planning counselor, College for Financial Planning, 2007; B.S., history, U.S. Naval Academy, 1996; Baldwin High School, 1992.

Political experience: None.

Memberships: U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Assn (local and national organization); American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Interests: Volleyball (played/coached/refereed), animals, walking/hiking, singing, woodworking.

Political influence: Although I was a young boy when she died and never would have had the chance to meet her, Ayn Rand is the most influential person in my political development. She is by no means infallible, but her writings have given me the tools to properly frame my thinking on the true role of government, the motivations of individuals and the interrelationship of these two forces. Before studying Rand, I viewed myself as a liberal, but have come to realize the folly of that point of view and would now describe myself as a Libertarian conservative.

Top priority: The core issue that needs to be addressed is the immediate balancing of the federal budget. Our greatest national security threat is excessive debt, worsened by an unending deficit and a congress that is absolutely unwilling to do anything about it. Every day that we fail to act on correcting this long-term systemic problem of a lack of fiscal responsibility, we move even closer to fiscal collapse. If we do not take immediate action as a nation to solve this problem, the days of our great nation being the leader of the world will regretfully end.

Respected opponent: Ron Paul is the person that most fits this criteria. Simply put, his fortitude, persistence in the face of unpopular views, and consistency of message is without compare. He has motivated me that if you believe in your cause you should work tirelessly to achieve it.

Job creation measures: First, I support modifying the taxation and regulatory environment that strongly favors large companies. Small business is the main job creation engine in the U.S. and they are overwhelmed with regulatory requirements and tax law complexities. To streamline these areas in favor of smaller businesses would be very helpful. Secondly, we are now five years into our housing collapse. In some cases, it is not as much a question of job creation as it is lack of mobility due to housing disruption that is causing unemployment. I would support limited government action to create conditions to speed the fledgling recovery in this area.

Illegal immigration: First, we need to secure our border by all reasonable means. Secondly, we need to set up a vibrant guest worker program that allows us to match willing workers with willing employers when there is no domestic labor force to fill the gap. Third, for illegal immigrants, but otherwise law abiding and productive members of society, I support a significant, but not punitive fine and/or community service in lieu of deportation. For illegal immigrants that also engage in other criminal behavior, I support a mandated doubling of the sentence for the given offense followed by deportation.

Federal deficit: I support closing unnecessary tax loopholes that are simply political favors in deference to a flatter and lower tax code across the board. This would allow for greater revenues overall and eliminate spending through the tax code. Secondly, I would put all options regarding entitlement program reform on the table to both slow their growth and strengthen them for future generations.

President Obama’s qualifications: Although I did not vote for President Obama in 2008 and almost assuredly will not vote for him in 2012 either, I have never had questions about his qualifications to be elected president.

Democrat

Arizona since: 1986.

Occupation: Retired teacher, Glendale Union H.S. District, 1993-2009.

Marital: Married (Homemaker).

Children: 2.

Religious preference: Christian.

Education: B.A., social studies, Univ of Michigan, 1969.

Political experience: Helped with Steve Owens campaign in 1998; Democratic nominee, CD3, 2000; Democratic candidate for CD2, 2004 and 2006.

Memberships: AZ Education Assn, 1993-2009; Teamsters Union Local 486, 1977-1986; U.S. Army Field Artillery, 1971-1972; Michigan Education Assn, 1969-1971 and 1973-1977.

Interests: Exploring Arizona’s back country in my Jeep Wrangler, bass fishing, and building and riding my propeller-driven “aerocycle.”

Political influence: My father was a part-time Washington lobbyist for the Michigan Association of School Superintendents and in this capacity he testified before House and Senate committees and helped draft and promote various successful pieces of education legislation. Because of my father’s involvement, I learned from a young age to pay attention to the workings of our government and the issues of the day.

Top priority: I have selected as my campaign slogan “Restoring the American Dream” and to do this we must first make income taxes and Social Security taxes fair and equitable by following the “Buffett Rule.” The present tax code places too much of the tax burden on the shoulders of the middle class and is responsible for the growing gap between rich and poor.

Respected opponent: The late U.S. Rep. Bob Stump. I believe Bob Stump was an honest, cordial gentleman, and a true fiscal conservative. As a former farmer he knew how to be frugal with his own resources and always tried to be careful not to waste the taxpayer’s money. I also respect his service to our country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. When I challenged him in the 2000 election, my biggest complaint was that as chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee he didn’t vehemently demand adequate funding for Veterans’ health care.

Job creation measures: Domestic spending to repair our aging schools, highways, bridges, pipelines and power grids. Tax incentives and favorable regulations to encourage the building of large solar power plants and the installation of residential rooftop solar panels on new and existing homes.

Illegal immigration: We need comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders and allows those who are here illegally, but have no criminal record, to pay a fine and wait longer for permanent residency status than those who didn’t violate our immigration laws. (This amnesty plan is actually the one put forth by John McCain, Jeff Flake and Jim Kolbe in 2000). Immigration reform must simultaneously address uniformly enforcing our immigration laws in the workplace and securing our borders, and I favor using the National Guard to secure the border.

Federal deficit: I would advocate for fair and equitable income and Social Security taxes. Income tax rates should follow the “Buffett Rule” so that investment income is taxed the same as earned income. Also, the cap on Social Security/Medicare taxes should be raised from its current $106,800 to about $250,000 or perhaps removed entirely. In either case, the rate should be reduced so that it is less burdensome on lower income people, particularly the self-employed.

President Obama’s qualifications: No.

Republican

Arizona since: 1981.

Occupation: Member of Congress since 2003. Former president of Liberty Petroleum Corp. (oil and gas exploration company in AZ); executive director, Arizona Family Research Institute (now Center for Arizona Policy), 1987-1991;

Marital: Married (Josie).

Children: 2.

Religious preference: Baptist.

Education: Attended Ottawa University; graduated, Center for Constitutional Studies.

Political experience: Director of Governor’s Office for Children, 1987.

Legis exp: House 1984-1986.

Issues: Did not respond.