Greg Gadek

Democrat
Candidate for Arizona Senate in Legislative District 25
Phone: (602) 647-4111
Email: greg.gadek@cox.net
Website: www.gadek2012.com
3027 E Hope St, Mesa, AZ 85213.

Name pronunciation: gay-DECK

Age: 50. (01/14/62, Cleveland, OH).

Arizona since: 1987.

Occupation: National sales, CyraCom International; major account sales for 15+ years in the telecommunications sector including approximately fives years each with Qwest (now Century Link), XO Communications, and Mountain Telecommunications.

Marital: Married (Jennifer).

Children: 3.

Religious preference: Episcopal.

Education: Tecumseh High School (Tecumseh, MI), 1980.

Memberships: GEM DEM’s, American Teleservices Assn, AZ Tech Council, Nat’l Emergency Number Assn, Call Center Network Group, various local school organizations.

Interests: Technology, politics, travel.

Political influence: Russell Pearce.

Job creation measures: Tax reform and repairing the national reputation of the state of Arizona in order to attract business and revenue to the state.

Top Issues: Public education and health care reform.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: Conditionally, my answer is yes. I will do everything in my power to support public education including stabilizing and increasing funding. However, after seeing the GOP’s handling of education funding since the temporary sales tax increase was approved, I am skeptical of their willingness to honor any referendum. The voters overwhelmingly offered a self-imposed tax increase for the benefit of our schools. Once passed, our GOP-controlled Legislature used the money as they saw fit.

Illegal immigration: The causes of illegal immigration are deep rooted and I recognize that the frustration level of many has peaked. But, we need to recognize that poorly written legislation does not solve the problem and creates considerable challenges for our law enforcement officers. Many leaders within the law enforcement community have expressed concerns about enforcing immigration law at the local level and I agree with their concerns. If our federal representatives are unwilling to address the issue we must partner with the legislators of neighboring states in a unified effort to increase pressure. We cannot tackle this problem on our own.

Background & experience: I have never been a lobbyist or had any personal business connections to anyone in state government. This will uniquely prepare me to work independently on behalf of the hard working people of Arizona. I have more than 30 years of experience in business and understand the challenges facing each one of us and our families in this economy. My background as a professional salesperson has taught me the necessary skills of communication, listening, negotiating, and effectively articulating my views on the issues. I look forward to a civil debate on the important issues facing Arizona.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I believe women should have control and responsibility over their reproductive choices.

One last thing: I firmly believe that Arizona’s Legislature does not represent the majority of our citizens. Their political agenda has embarrassed and angered the majority of voters, including me. Worse yet, many have become disengaged. I believe facts are important and persuasive. I want voters who have no political power to know that I have entered this race to give you a voice. Voters who disagree with me should know that I will listen and learn from our civil conversations.

Campaign finance: public.