Screening Committee - Questions for Candidates Because of your request for an endorsement from the Clermont County Republican Party, the Screening Committee has asked that you would answer the following questions. Brevity is completely fine with your comments, since we are not looking for anything more than a sentence or two for each question; however, feel free to expound on a questions if you feel necessary. 1. Do you agree with the Clermont County Republican Party s Principles and Values Statement (available at ClermontGOP.com)? Is there anything in our Principles and Values Statement with which you disagree? Yes. 2. In what ways do you consider yourself to be a conservative? From my 100% Pro-life record to my A rating from the NRA, I have been a loud and consistent advocate for conservatism during my time in public office. I believe it s imperative that we elect leaders who are committed to fighting for the cause of limited government, individual liberty, the preservation of our constitutional rights and the sanctity of life. 3. Have you voted consistently in the Primary Election? Why, or why not? Yes, I have voted consistently in both the Primary and General elections. Voting is a fundamental component of our civic duty as Americans and our elections determine the course of our nation s history. 4. What have you done that demonstrates your commitment to conservative values? As a private citizen, I supported conservative policymakers and tried my best to live a life founded upon my faith an conservative values. As a policymaker, I acted upon my conservative values as much as possible, including using fiscal restraint, my faith, and the U.S. Constitution. 5. What organizations have you been involved in, or donated money to, that share your conservative views? There are three empowerment, Wash University
6. Have you ever been convicted of a crime or filed for bankruptcy? If yes, please explain. No. 7. Why are you running for this office? When I first came to Ohio 34 years ago with dreams of launching a business and raising a family, our state was truly a land of opportunity and afforded me the opportunity to truly live the American Dream. Unfortunately, Ohio is no longer that land of opportunity we are saddled with the third highest unemployment rate in the nation, rapidly declining population as young people flee our state and an opioid crisis that leads the nation and ravages our communities. We need fresh leadership and a new perspective in the Governor s office, not more of the same, stale status quo governance offered by my career politician opponents who ve spent their entire careers running for public office. It s imperative that we elect a conservative leader and Columbus outsider who will enact the changes we need to restore growth and opportunity to our state. As Governor I will take on the major battles facing our state by enacting a needed freeze on state spending, ending new enrollment in our misguided expanded Medicaid program, supporting private sector right-to-work and education reforms that further empower parents over bureaucrats. I will foster growth and opportunity in our state to expand our economy make our communities safe and strong. 8. What are your strengths that would enable you to do this job effectively? Do you have weaknesses that you need to overcome in order to do this job more effectively? As a lifelong successful entrepreneur, I know how to manage large enterprises, streamline bureaucracies, and get real, measurable results. Given the slowness of government, I can be impatient with the pace of change, which could challenge me in this huge endeavor. 9. How would your friends/co-workers describe you? (Circle all that apply.) Honest, fair, respectful, manipulative, patient, kind, shrewd, tough, polite, rude, cooperative, intelligent, punctual, harsh, reasonable, impatient, passionate, informed, analytical, dignified, arrogant, knowledgeable, conscientious, deliberative, short-tempered, humble, diligent, thorough, inconsiderate, organized, cranky, caring, articulate, pessimistic, consistent, stubborn, friendly, hard-working,
cheerful, ethical, flexible, unyielding, responsible. Do you agree with their assessment? I do believe those are a fair representation of my personality and attributes. 10. Is there anything you have done that demonstrates that you can stand up against opposition? Whether as a first-time congressional candidate in a competitive 4-way Primary in 2010, or a General Election candidate in 2010 and 2012 in two of the most challenging races in the nation, I ve demonstrated consistently that I can run and win races that many doubted were winnable. I was also the first congressional candidate in decades to defeat Democratic incumbents in backto-back elections and during my time in Washington I ve made clear that I won t back down from a fight against anyone, whether it s the opposing party or my own party s leadership. 11. What do you get passionate about? I am fervently passionate about the power of faith and free markets to change lives. 12. What makes you angry? I get angry at the ineptitude, selfishness, and timidity of the political establishment, career politicians who say one thing during elections and do the opposite when governing. 13. What has been the most significant accomplishment in your professional career? In your personal life? My personal accomplishment will always outweigh my professional achievements, which is why becoming a husband and a father is the most significant thing I will every do. 14. What are the major influences in your life? Throughout my life my faith and my family and have been and remain the greatest influences. From the value of relentless hard work and self responsibility that I learned from my father at a young age to the importance of humility, gratitude and charity that play a central role in my Catholic faith, those have been among the most influential forces in my life.
15. What is the proper role of government? The proper role of government is to ensure the safety and security of the American people while preserving the liberties and inalienable rights set forth in our nation s founding documents. Among those liberties are access to a free, market driven economy that affords all Americans the opportunity to succeed, as opposed to outcome-driven, government-influenced economy and society that puts power in the hands of our politicians instead of the people. 16. Where do our rights come from? Our rights as people come from our Creator, which in turn have guided the rights set forth in our nation s Constitution. 17. Do you think government regulations have become too onerous? If so, how? Yes, I believe all levels of government have issued far too many rules, regulations, mandates, and laws. From the moment we wake up in the morning to the time we sleep, government pervades nearly every aspect of our lives. I firmly believe it is time to reallocate powers among the three levels of government and to pare back what each does within their rightful realm of delegated power. 18. What is your interpretation of the 2 nd Amendment? It is an individual right to bear arms held by each American, which shall not be infringed upon by our government. While no constitutional right is absolute and limitless, and infringement upon our Second Amendment Rights must meet the highest standard of scrutiny that the U.S. Supreme Courts applies to infringement upon any and all other rights set forth in our Bill of Rights. (Questions below are only for judges seeking the endorsement) 19. In what ways is the court able to protect citizens property rights? 20. What existing laws or regulations provide the most challenges for our judges and why? 21. Please rate your judicial philosophy regarding the U.S. Constitution on a scale of 1-10 with living/evolving document being 1 and strict constructionist being a 10: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 22. What is justice? 23. In what ways can judges protect the rights of the individual while upholding laws enacted to protect the common good of the population? 24. How should emotion affect/not affect a judge s ruling on a case?
25. Clermont County s jail is often overcrowded and at times cannot accept additional inmates. As a judge, what alternatives would you pursue to handle this situation?