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? I completely agree with the Principles and Values Statement. I have lived by these principals and values even before becoming aware and joining the CCCRC. I staunchly support these values not just as a Republican, but as an American. In what ways do you consider yourself to be a conservative? My conservative attitude and values stem from the life I have lived. They come from my real life experience of discovering that outcomes are not guaranteed and not everyone will work as hard as everyone else. I am a conservative because I know for a fact that individual choice and freedom will ultimately improve and maintain a better quality life for us as Americans. Liberalism can be a seductive ideology that makes people think they can achieve and acquire greater opportunity when it s handed to them, but it s only a seduction with empty promises. Anything in life worth ANYTHING is only achieved through hard work and determination. 2. Have you voted consistently in the Primary Election? Why, or why not? I have not voted consistently in the primary elections. As a young person in the trenches of motherhood, college, working, taking care of my grandmother who had dementia (all at the same time)- voting was the last thing on my mind. Which is the same for many other folks within our district. It was also something that I had limited knowledge on. Even with a Master s Degree, there is a gap in the availability of information on the importance of primary elections that is given to young people. This is something I want to make a priority if I am elected. I want to create legislation that makes the learning and understanding of our local election processes and make them readily available and obtainable to young
people especially. Just as there is research that demonstrates if you reach a young person with the message of the Gospel before the age of 18- they are far more likely to develop and maintain a relationship with God for the rest of your life; I believe the same is true for young people and the importance of (local/state/national) politics. 3. What have you done that demonstrates your commitment to conservative values? As a person of faith and conservatism I demonstrate my commitment not just to my beliefs, but how I act on my beliefs. I have mentored young women on how to get off food stamps, get off government assistance, and improve their individual choices through hard work. My husband and I are working diligently towards a generational commitment for our children to know and understand the conservative values in which we live by talking about the important issues that affect us, educating them on the change that needs to happen, and empowering them to be part of the change (another reason my candidacy) Maintaining a faith based business in a very unpopular political climate I am openly against abortion- no exceptions I am 100% against common core I believe and live the free market capitalist life with my business. I believe and am proof that personal responsibility and accountability pays off. From a high school drop out to a professional with a successful business- I have changed my opportunities. I am an NRA member, and fully support the 2 nd amendment. 4. What organizations have you been involved in, or donated money to, that share your conservative views? I am proud to support the following organizations that share my conservative views: o Stop the Abuse (local organization that focuses on ending the cycle of abuse in children) o Participating in Women in Leadership (for the purpose of helping women achieve success in business, this program helps to build a Clermont County workforce that attracts and retains business, thereby driving economic growth and vitality) o Inner Parish Ministries o Ambassador s Point Community Church o Serve as Precinct Exec for CCCRC 5. Have you ever been convicted of a crime or filed for bankruptcy? If yes, please explain. NO 6. Why are you running for this office? I am running for State Representative of District 65 in order to help my community through the use of my skills, education, background, knowledge, and passion for protecting and advocating our shared conservative values.
7. 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? Strengths: o Cautious: I like to carefully make decisions and avoid risk that may compromise quality and consequence. o Determined: I am not easily swayed, coerced, and I persevere for the longterm goals that will create lasting change. o Intrinsically motivated o Team Player o Honest, Ethical, and maintain high level of integrity o Adaptable o Leader- ability to share vision, and articulate long term plans Weakness: o Often self-critical 8. How would your friends/co-workers describe you? (Circle all that apply.) Honest, fair, respectful, manipulative, patient, kind, shrewd, tough (at times), 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 (I don t give up easily), friendly, hardworking, cheerful, ethical, flexible, unyielding (in my values), responsible. Do you agree with their assessment? Absolutely 9. Is there anything you have done that demonstrates that you can stand up against opposition? My whole life demonstrates my proven ability to stand against opposition. I was told as a young person I would never amount to anything. I was the only MBA grad from my cohort to start a business, when given statistics that it was unlikely that any of us would be entrepreneurs. I AM RUNNING AGAINST AN INCUMBENT with lots of support and some opposition- I will maintain my belief in doing what is right no matter what the opposition says or does. I am unwavering. 10. What do you get passionate about? Positivity- having hope in people and the ability to be a change agent in an politically correct world Being a rebel- standing as a traditionalist, conservative constitutionalist when it s VERY unpopular (especially in my generation) Learning new things Seeing my children thrive as intelligent, capable, and Godly people who have care and concern for others 11. What makes you angry?
Anger can be a powerful motivator when channeled in the appropriate way. Instead of losing control or having outbursts that are disruptive (which are not conducive with positive change), instead I like to approach situations with a level head while staying calm and reasonable. Facts and reason always trump emotions and feelings. However, a few things that do make me angry: Common Core People who try to force me to believe I should be OK with a Man/Woman in the bathroom/locker room of the opposite sex because they associate themselves with said gender. Drug Dealers People who hurt children 12. What has been the most significant accomplishment in your professional career? In your personal life? Obtaining my MBA as the first in my family to get a college degree. Being a mother, and celebrating almost 10 years of marriage 13. What are the major influences in your life? Mistakes (I am a fast learner. I try to learn quickly from my mistakes as to not make them again) God Prayer 14. What is the proper role of government? There are two types of free Freedom from coercion and the other free is like free lunch (freedom from cost). When we say we live in a free country- it means we should be free from coercion. This is especially true of our government. Grover Cleveland said that "though the people support the government, the government should not support the people. The role of government is outlined in our constitution. It is not a living document that changes over time. 15. Where do our rights come from? God Government is supposed to protect these rights 16. Do you think government regulations have become too onerous? If so, how? Government overreach has effected so many aspects- especially our economy. The over regulation of businesses impacts the ability to hire and expand. Making Ohio a Right to Work State is one of the most important tasks we can do to make Ohio more competitive.
What is your interpretation of the 2 nd Amendment? "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." I believe this means the people of The United States have the right to own and bear arms without the overreach of the government. We have the right to do what we please with our fire arms no matter what kind they are. 17. (Questions below are only for judges seeking the endorsement) 18. In what ways is the court able to protect citizens property rights? 19. What existing laws or regulations provide the most challenges for our judges and why? 20. 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 21. What is justice? 22. In what ways can judges protect the rights of the individual while upholding laws enacted to protect the common good of the population? 23. How should emotion affect/not affect a judge s ruling on a case? 24. 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?