Governor Candidate

Questions & Answers

What is the importance of the role of Governor to your constituents in Champaign County?

As Governor, my job will be to represent all residents of Illinois, not to legislate the morality of one group onto another. I believe my best service as governor will be via listening to Illinois residents as directly as possible so I can work and speak on their behalf in Springfield.

I will make a priority of visiting every legislative district at least once a year, to meet and hear the concerns of local residents. While there, I will also hold open office hours on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Why are you qualified to be the Governor of Illinois?

As a 20-year Navy veteran, I have experience leading groups of diverse people, and I am skilled at bringing people of different backgrounds together to work for a common goal. I will work with legislators of all parties to pass good legislation that expands freedoms and protects civil liberties. I will advocate for more local control of government wherever possible, and for sensible fiscal policy to put the state of Illinois on sound financial footing.

I won’t come into office with the adversarial baggage that comes with being a member of the opposition party. Being a libertarian, I have common ground on both sides, depending on the issue. I will work with legislators from any party to advance legislation that protects and empowers the people of Illinois.

What is a key policy difference between you and your Opponent[s]?

I support full legalization of cannabis, including the ability to grow and sell your own plants. Utilizing our law enforcement and penal systems to prosecute a victimless crime is a waste of resources that can be better used elsewhere.

Additionally, I support looking at drug-related issues, including heroin addiction and the opioid epidemic, from a health perspective. Our priority should be harm reduction and treatment, not incarceration and punishment for what is ultimately a health issue. We should start the discussion of decriminalizing possession of small amounts of opioids. The mere use of a substance should never deem anybody a criminal.

As Governor, I would immediately begin planning the pardon and release of all those imprisoned for victimless drug offenses. Any person who is is not a danger to society should be able to return to his or her family and help contribute to their community. These prisoners should be prepared for release with vocational training and rehabilitation as necessary.

Is there anything else you would like to say to an undecided voter in Champaign County?

I am running because I took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I came to realize that the greatest threat to our rights and freedoms comes from people in power who perpetuate corruption and abuses against the general public. Our legislators pass laws that create an ever-growing tangle of red tape for hard-working employees, small businesses, and consumers; our property taxes have become so high that people are unable to afford to keep living in their own homes; and our family courts and criminal justice system perpetuate injustice for the least among us.

I will fight against corrupt and harmful practices, but I have not been and will not be a part of the infighting between the two old parties. I will work with both sides where we agree, work against corruption wherever it exists, and will focus on doing right by the people of Illinois.

Vote your conscience. Decades of voting for a lesser evil have gotten us where we are today. We need to change the system, and that begins by electing people who are not already part of it.

It's time for change, and that starts with you, the voter.