Deficit top concern with 3rd District GOP candidates (Updated)

Editor’s note: The following has been updated to add responses from Gunner DeLay of Fort Smith.

The City Wire recently sent a short questionnaire to all the candidates in the GOP primary (May 18) for the 3rd Congressional District. Following are answers from those who responded. Only minor edits (for clarity and style) have been made.

TCW: What do you expect will be the three most important issues the next 3rd Congressional District representative will face in his/her first term? (Briefly explain your issue answers.)

State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe (Rogers):
I believe the three most important issues will be balancing the federal budget, working to repeal Obama’s health care legislation, and securing our nation’s borders.

Gunner DeLay (Fort Smith)
The first order of business, if elected, will be to stop the government takeover of healthcare, repeal the recently passed bill and reverse the trend of socialism I see in our country. Next I will work for a balanced budget amendment and get government spending under control. Finally, I will work to create jobs, not through more government spending, but by reducing taxation and regulation.

Steve Lowry (Springdale)
Reducing the deficit, slowing spending and eliminating government over-regulation. Our federal government has spent and borrowed to the point where future generations will literally pay the cost of this reckless behavior. If those two dire issues are not enough, top that with we have so much government intrusion and over-regulation forces on us, we are at a point where we must pull back on all three matters immediately or we may not be able to recover.  The vast number of government regulations/programs has created out of control government growth. Our debt and spend policies affect all aspects of our lives – defining domestic and foreign policy. We borrow from China and many other countries who may believe we owe them and that they can shape our foreign policies. We must not be beholden to any outside interests; we must define our policies based the best interests of the U.S.

Kurt Maddox (Gravette)
Spending & Deficits — We have tried spending our way out of debt. Friends, this has not worked and cannot work in a sustainable way. Frankly, we are robbing our children and that is not right! It makes more sense to stop wasteful spending and quit pushing our debt off on to the next generation. It is time for Washington to live within its means.

Immigration — Legal immigrants should be welcomed with open arms as they follow in the footsteps of our ancestors who came to America to start a better life. But the fact is, illegal immigration is … illegal. With the need for good jobs so great, our government should not allow illegals to continue underbidding American citizens in the labor market. We should neither encourage nor tolerate illegal immigration to our country. I support stricter border controls and oppose any blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Fixing Obamacare — By imposing his liberal economic values on private citizens, President Obama has eroded the economic and personal freedom of every American. If elected to represent the Third District, I will do everything in my power to repeal this terrible legislation and bring real reform without government mandates and increased bureaucracy.

Mayor Steve Womack (Rogers)
Debt/Deficit/Economy/Job Creation; Health Care Legislation; Debt Commission/Recommendations; Immigration Reform

TCW: Touring the district during this campaign must be an interesting experience. What did you learn about the district during the process?

Bledsoe
As I campaign, I’m reminded that our greatness as a nation doesn’t come from the top down, but it comes from all of the individuals who work to raise their families, grow their businesses, and build their communities. My favorite part of any campaign has always been the opportunity to meet people from all different walks of life.

DeLay
That although the 3rd District  is extremely diverse we have a core set of values that unite us.

Lowry
The current issues facing people in the 3rd District have them concerned, they don’t believe their concerns are being heard and they are angry. As was the case after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a Sleeping Giant has been awoken. That giant is the people not only in the 3rd District but all Americans. People recognize the current Administration and Congress are taking us down the wrong path and we don’t have much time to get back on the right path. We have this election and the next in 2012 to bring the country back to what made us the envy of the rest of the world.

Maddox
I’ve met wonderful people all over this district. We are a people of deeply rooted values. I’ve seen two major themes when talking to people in the 3rd district. One is that the spiraling out of control spending scares people and they are sincerely disturbed that this debt will be passed to the next generation(s). The other is that it baffles almost everyone I’ve talked to that politicians can change so quickly when they get to Washington. It makes people lose confidence in the whole system. People are anxious to see citizen legislators back in Washington.

Womack
I knew there was a feeling of separation within the district, but did not realize how deep it was. While campaigning in Harrison, Russellville, and Fort Smith, I picked up on the feeling of neglect by some of these constituents. It is understandable given the influence Benton County has on the election. I understand it and will work to improve it.

TCW: In various forums and debates, there has been little difference seen between the candidates with respect to broad conservative opinions about the size of federal government, taxation, spending, etc. What distinguishes you from the other candidates and makes you the best person for the job?

Bledsoe
I have legislative experience and a proven conservative record. With everything that we are facing in Washington right now, I don’t believe the voters want to take a chance with who they send to represent them in Congress.

DeLay
I believe we have seen clear differences between me and at least one candidate on the issue of spending and taxation. I have a record as a legislator of working to reduce the burden on taxpayers and will bring that to Washington. 

Lowry
I’ve worked in the Federal Government as a DEA agent for more than 25 years. During that time I saw government bureaucracy and inefficiency. I fought against it as part of my job, standing up to the EPA when they suggest the DEA was the hazardous waste generator of meth labs we raided in northwest Arkansas. I told them the people we arrested and have in jail are the hazardous waste generators; the EPA was relentless in trying to force us to be responsible for the environmental impact of the dangerous and harmful chemicals in the lab. I, with the backing of my division leaders in New Orleans, stood firm and eventually the EPA backed down. I faced many dangerous situations in the course of performing my job, and work well under pressure — even when the barrel of a pistol was pressed against my face. I will use my skills of skills of persuasion and calmness under pressure in the legislative process.   I will use reasoning and understanding to help the people of the 3rd District when they face problems with the federal government.

Maddox
Kurt was born and raised a conservative Republican. No other candidate can say that as far as know. And not unlike Jim Keet, Kurt has stepped up and distinguished himself further by making the following "Razorback Pledge":
• Self-impose term limits and commit to serve no more than eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Refuse any special interest or lobbyist funding for their campaigns.
• Donate half of their congressional salary to charities benefiting the Third District because of the economic hardships currently faced by its citizens.
• Agree to have more congressional staff in the Third District than in Washington, D.C., and keep their staff expenses in the bottom 20 percent of Congress.

Womack
The body of my work. Small businessman (broadcasting, established KURM Radio in Rogers in 1979); 30-year military veteran (deployed after 9/11), retired at Colonel; 11+ years as Mayor, major transformation of city, balanced budget, no tax increases! I also have a unique understanding regional issues affecting the 3rd District (highways, phosphorous, et al).

TCW: If for some reason you could never again live within the 3rd District, where would you make a new home?

Bledsoe
I haven’t really thought about it, because I’m not going anywhere! But, if I had the chance I would live closer to my children and grandchildren.

DeLay
Would probably want to live around St. Louis because I love the Cardinals and would get to go to more ballgames.

Lowry
I hope a situation never presents itself where I can’t make my home in Arkansas, but if that happened, I would make Nevada my home. I have spent a lot of time over the last 10 years riding my motorcycle in the desert and have grown very fond of Nevada. I find freedom in the solitude of the open road.

Maddox
My family moved here in 1976 and I’ve been raised in the Ozark Mountains. I would want to stay close. If I could no longer stay in the 3rd, I would likely find myself somewhere up in the Branson area where I could still be in the beauty of the Ozarks.

Womack
My wife says somewhere near the Gulf. It’s her turn, next. She deserves it.

TCW: One of the key infrastructure projects for the two metro areas in the 3rd District is the funding and completion of Interstate 49. In an environment in which “earmarks” are increasingly out of favor, what specifically would you do to help Arkansas highway officials capture the more than $4 billion needed to complete I-49 through the western half of the state?

Bledsoe
I would be strong advocate for I-49 in Congress. One of the reasons that we need to get the spending under control in Washington is so that we will have more funds for national priorities such as I-49.

DeLay
Funding for I-49 is imperative for the continued growth of our region. The expansion of I-49 will increase Arkansas’ ability to compete among a growing interstate commerce marketplace. I want to work with the State Highway Commission to prioritize our needs in this state. The dollars should follow the people. We also need to make sure that Arkansas gets 100% match of the federal gas and diesel tax that it pays into the federal government. 

Lowry
The U.S. is still facing severe economic strife and we need to curb spending on non-essential infrastructure projects until we get our house back in order. I know the I-49 corridor will enhance growth for Arkansas, but we can’t currently afford to move ahead. Such projects will add to the country’s debt and most likely increase taxes. I am adamantly opposed to earmarks and increasing taxes. There is one option I am willing to investigate; I would investigate building the highway as a toll road and keep the toll in place until the cost of building the road was paid. This plan requires a direct vote of the citizens to approve the plan to give people a say on this project.

Maddox
The first responsibility of the next group of congressmen is to cut waste government wide so we can even afford to do projects like this at all. We should stop the "bridges to nowhere" and start prioritizing the tax revenue from appropriate sources such as the fuel taxes already in place.

Womack
I will advocate for transportation dollars during the reauthorization process to bring completion to key segments of I-49 — notably Bella Vista and Barling/Fort Smith. I understand the process of allocating highway dollars in Arkansas and will work closely with Dick Trammel and the AHTD to advocate on behalf of our District’s needs.

TCW: How do you balance the limited-government role advocated by conservatives with the historical tradition of citizen demands for federal funds supporting socio-economic projects and/or programs in the district?

Bledsoe
We have accumulated trillions of dollars in debt and record deficits in part because the federal government has become involved in things that the Founding Fathers never intended it to. We must make sure that federal spending is kept within the bounds of what is specified in the Constitution.

DeLay
I think you have to distinguish between what is a true infrastructure project and what is pork barrel spending. If the project exceeds constitutional authority it should not be funded.

Lowry
As a conservative, I believe in limited government and personal responsibility. The government is responsible for protecting our sovereignty, our national security and to provide for the country’s infrastructure. The government must care for the neediest in our society — those who are not capable of caring for their own well being. The rest of us need to assume more personal responsibility. We need to get away from reliance on government and get back to free market principles and a reliance on the private sector to provide non-essential government services.

Maddox
That’s a good question. The answer comes from the overwhelming sentiment I’m hearing from the people of the 3rd district right now which is that we have to reign in spending. In the current climate, people seem to understand that you can’t do everything. Pet projects, wasteful spending, special interests, career politicians — all are keeping us from what America needs to be focusing on which should be first and foremost protecting our county and maintaing our infrastructure.

Womack
If the project does not have a return-on-investment (ROI), I generally do not believe they are a priority. We have a big deficit/debt … and only priority projects should be considered.

TCW: If you had the opportunity to be a character in a remake of any movie, what character would you want to play? Why?

Bledsoe
All my favorite movies are just right, without my involvement! So, right now, I can’t say that there is any one character that I’d like to play.

DeLay
I would like Jimmy Stewart’s role in “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.” I love the way he stood up to special interests at all costs. It is an inspiring role and one that our elected officials should aspire to.

Lowry
Rooster Cogburn in True Grit – Why? Rooster Cogburn is smart, savvy, and a law and order guy whose intentions are to always do the right thing. He is sometimes misunderstood and his abilities to persuade are underestimated.

Maddox
It would really be fun to play in an action movie like Jason Bourne in the Bourne Identity series. I really enjoy action movies.

Womack
Tough question. My favorite movie is An Officer and a Gentleman — so probably Mayo in that movie. Or, Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz since my wife thinks I need a brain for doing this.