Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis

Lewis, Jerry (Republican)

Phone: (480)359-5880

Email: JerryLewisCampaign@gmail.com

Address: P.O. Box 332, Mesa AZ, 85211

Age: 55

Date and place of birth: N/A

Arizona since: 1982

Occupation: Assistant Superintendent, CEO, Sequoia Distance Learning Schools

Marital: Married (Janet)

Children: 7, ages 13 to 31

Religious preference: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints



Education: 1982 BS and MS – accounting, Brigham Young University

Political experience: Republican precinct commiteeman

Memberships have included: Vice president, Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America; former chairman, Mesa District, Boy Scouts of America; stake president and bishop, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; treasurer, board Member and coach, Westwood Little League (formerly Mesa Northwestern Little League); coach, Mesa Girls Softball and Mesa YMCA Soccer; member, various Whittier Elementary, Carson Junior High and Westwood High School parent groups; chairman, Westwood Baccalaureate Committee; president, Arizona Drug Abuse Program (formerly the Palmer Drug Abuse Program)

Background & experience: Senior manager, Deloitte and Touche; COO, Quorum International; teacher, CES; CEO, TJ Development; assistant superintendent, Sequoia Schools

Interests: My wife, my grandkids, running marathons, Boy Scouts, cycling, gardening/yard work, Arizona Diamondbacks, fishing with sons

Issues

Why are you the best candidate to serve District 18?:

As I started my family and career in Mesa, I worked in the private sector helping small businesses make a profit. Ten years later, after taking advantage of a great opportunity, I had the chance to teach for nearly 15 years. I have experienced the struggles that Mesa citizens are going through right now. We need improved schools. We need jobs. I have the experience necessary to tackle these serious issues.

Describe your views on illegal immigration enforcement and how you plan to deal with it at the state level:

I stand for the rule of law and am not for open borders. The federal government has the responsibility to secure our national borders and create manageable and meaningful immigration policy. Lawlessness, as well as inconsistent enforcement of existing immigration laws has created an environment where people are calling upon Washington to wholeheartedly address and resolve the many issues pertaining to immigration. Immigration has polarized Arizona more than any other issue in recent memory. I support law enforcement’s efforts to carry out their duties as defined by their constitutionally enforceable city, county and state laws. I also recognize that we need to move beyond the polarizing, contentious and fear-based rhetoric that undermines the chance for any real solutions.

Arizona’s first priority is to effectively and collaboratively work with the federal government to secure and enforce the border. While the federal government fulfills its responsibility to secure the border, I support a rational and fair solution for dealing with immigrants who have committed no crime other than being here without proper documentation. Reasonable, enforceable and sustainable immigration reform must be guided by principles of maintaining national security, respecting all humanity, preserving families, enforcing the rule of law, and weighing economic impact.

A balanced approach to solving our immigration problem is supported by many faith groups and business leaders. Let’s focus on doing the hard work of actually solving our immigration problems.

What do you think of SB1070:

SB1070 contained necessary solutions to fix Arizona’s current illegal immigration problems. Parts of the law are arguably unconstitutional. It is a piece-meal solution to a complex problem.

Budget recommendations:

Budgets need to be balanced, but they can’t be balanced on the backs of our children. As education is one of my highest priorities, it is the last place I’ll look to make cuts. Government has too much money being spent on low priority agencies.

Other concerns:

With the recent Fiesta Bowl fiasco, I am worried that special interests have too much influence on our legislation. I will sponsor a gift ban to keep legislators beholden to their constituents, not special interest groups.

Fiscal philosophy:

If there is one thing I’ve learned as a CPA, you cannot tax your way out of a recession. I will work so that revenue shortfalls of the past will not be tax burdens of the future.

Pro-life/pro-choice:

Pro-life

One last thing:

Mesa has been mired in political rhetoric for too long. I love Mesa and I love Arizona. I hope that when elected, I can be a fresh voice for Mesa.