Haverford Republican seeks nod to challenge Casey for U.S. Senate
A 64-year-old former corporate commodity executive from Haverford who advocates strongly for free markets, thoughtfulness and clarity is joining the candidates seeking to replace U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., next year.
Paul Addis, a Republican and married father of four adult children, was CEO and chairman of Louis Dreyfus Highbridge Energy, having started his career as a grain and energy trader. He’ll vie for the Republican nomination in the spring primary against U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11, of Hazleton. Pa. Libertarian Dale Kerns is also running for the seat.
“Those are both very government-regulated businesses,” he said. “So therefore, I’ve had a fair amount of interaction with government ... I found that relationship to be inefficient.”
He explained, “government in the more recent past has had a concerned or more dubious view of business objectives. Business, I don’t think, takes the time to educate and talk about longer term objectives.”
Over time, Addis said he’s come to believe that a free market system is inextricably linked to the freedoms enjoyed in the United States’ history.
“The more participants there are in making choices as opposed to the few deciding for the many, I think that sustains freedoms and creates better outcomes.
“The free market is about multiple different parties, it’s about mistakes and failure and new businesses being born,” he said.
Yet his entry into this campaign was related to his view of governing in America.
“In the last 10, 15 years, I’ve become increasingly concerned and troubled that we don’t get much done,” he said. “I think both parties are at fault in not getting more done.”
That comes from the evolution, Addis said, of government being perceived that it is the answer to most problems.
“What I believe is that we need free markets that are truly free where the government doesn’t intervene to pick winners and losers,” he said. “I also believe in failure. I don’t mean that I want someone to fall by the roadside and fail, but our economy is built on learning from mistakes, new entrants coming in and displacing the previous business. That means clearly that some businesses will succeed, some will fail, new ones will emerge.”
Addis outlined the roles he believes are appropriate for government: national defense, thoughtful regulation and a thoughtful safety net.
“We need a united front and it has to be of a scale to defend and protect us,” he said.
Regarding regulation, Addis said business people would tell him of the redundancy of state and federal regulations. He said he’d like to pare that to essential pieces that address specific needs in the most expedient way to do that.
And, he said, a safety net that is compassionate is integral to government but it can’t deter individuals from maintaining their individualism or the responsibility that they have for their actions. Finally, he said, “We have to be able to afford it.”
Legislators themselves should have ethical behavior, experience and clarity.
When giving a lecture to Temple University MBA students, he was asked his thoughts on an ethics class – and he disagreed with that.
“That should be a part of every class you take,” he said. “Ethical behavior in my mind shouldn’t be separate ... that should be demanded of every person in every walk of life.”
Addis said politicians should not spend their entire careers in elected positions.
“Our legislators, whether it be local, state or federal, need to have a breadth of experience,” he said. “You need life experience to be able to make good judgments and to say ‘whatif’s.’”
And, their answers and positions should be clear.
“They should be direct and blunt of what Addis said.
In the end, Addis said he hopes he wins but presenting an option is important as well.
“I believe that I would want to win the primary and the general election,” he said. “I also believe that Mr. Casey has squandered two terms as a senator. I don’t know what he’s ever done for the nation or the state that’s substantive, that is meaningful so I believe that Pennsylvania needs a thoughtful, serious person that will enhance Pennsylvania and our nation.”
That said, he admits he is an insurgent and not the favored candidate.
Addis said he accepts if voters hear his perspectives and choose other candidates because they think their views are superior.
“I would hate to lose without my voice being heard,” he said. “My biggest hope is that voters get to have a contrast of views.” they believe,”