ELECTION 2022: Congressional 9th District
JOSH HARDER
Why are you running for this seat?
My wife Pam and I are raising our daughter Lily here and we want her to grow up in a safe and thriving community. Unfortunately right now costs are out of control, crime is on the rise and homelessness is a crisis. For too long, corrupt politicians have put their own interests before our families. I’m running to change that. I believe we need to get prices down by suspending the gas tax, bring good-paying jobs closer to home, and make healthcare more affordable. I’m running because I want Lily’s home to be the absolute best it can be.
What issues set you apart from your opponents?
Every time I pay for gas I’m frustrated that politicians let it get this bad. Here in San Joaquin County we’ve had the same politicians yelling at each other about the same problems forever and nothing ever gets done. I believe we have to do it differently. We need leaders who aren’t afraid to stand up to party bosses or corporate interests and who will actually put our Valley families first. I come from the business world. I’m not beholden to any party or any special interest. I’m committed to putting petty politics aside and getting the right things done.
What do you see as the biggest needs in the 9th District?
It’s gotten way too expensive to raise a family here. The price of gas, groceries, and housing continue to explode and paychecks aren’t keeping up. Crime and homelessness are on the rise and too many young people are leaving home to find opportunities elsewhere. We need leaders who put our community first and actually get things done. That means prices we can afford, safer streets for our families and businesses, and a government that finally works for its people.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
My number one priority is getting prices down and making our community an affordable place to raise a family again. We have to cut federal and state gas taxes, streamline the supply chain so we’re not paying an arm and a leg at the store, and bring new high paying jobs to our community. We also have to get the homelessness crisis under control and make sure law enforcement has the resources they need to keep our families safe.
Your thoughts on:
COVID policy: The last two years have been incredibly difficult, and I’m very relieved we’re getting back to normal. It’s vital that moving forward, elected officials do everything they can to keep our families healthy while also keeping our schools and businesses open. I’m very concerned with the repercussions virtual schooling had on our kids and on parents too. We also need much clearer communication from our leaders — way too many people were confused about what the rules were and what would actually keep their loved ones healthy.
Public safety/criminal justice: I’m very concerned with the rising crime rates in our community. We should be able to walk around with our kids without being nervous about gang activity or drug trafficking. I’m proud to stand with our law enforcement officers and have brought home millions of dollars so they can keep us safe. Because of this work, I’m proud to be endorsed by the largest law enforcement organization in the state. I’ve also had constructive conversations with our Sheriffs and our communities of color to ensure our law enforcement is seen as a force of good in all of our communities.
Social justice reforms: Diverse communities like ours have been left behind for way too long. My thoughts on this are as straightforward as can be — no matter what someone looks like, where they come from, how they worship, or who they love, all our neighbors deserve equal protection under the law.
Immigration policy: I’m incredibly grateful to live in such a diverse community. Some of our neighbors moved here recently and others came generations ago. We have over 10,000 Dreamers in our community who are our friends and co-workers and I strongly believe they deserve a pathway to citizenship. We need real, comprehensive immigration reform to give immigrants and their families the protections they need. I also am a strong proponent of securing our borders. I believe we need additional technology at the border to make sure we’re catching drug smugglers, human traffickers and anyone else looking to do our country harm.
Economic policy: We have an incredible opportunity to make our community a thriving economic center, but we need leaders to have a jobs-first vision. Right now, too many people are stuck in traffic for hours driving to good-paying jobs hours from home. And too many young people are leaving because they don’t believe we have enough opportunities. We have to attract good-paying jobs right here whether that’s in ag-tech, IT, clean energy jobs — we need all of it! We also need trade deals that put our products and workers at the center, as opposed to being ripped off by foreign competitors.
Gun control policy: We have to do more to keep our families safe from gun violence, especially after the horrific shooting in Sacramento. I support common-sense policies like expanding and strengthening background checks. I also know most gun owners are law-abiding citizens and I believe we can cut down on gun violence without disrespecting anyone’s Second Amendment rights. I also support getting our law enforcement more resources so we can deal with our rising crime rate. We can’t let criminals get their hands on guns and that starts by intervening well before someone heads towards a life of crime.
Health care policy: Health care is personal for me. My brother was born prematurely and the hospital left my family with a hundredpage medical bill. The health care system is clearly broken — it’s too hard to find care and if you do, it’s way too expensive. Insurance executives are getting rich while our families have to choose between prescriptions and putting gas in the tank. We have to get costs down (I support a $35/month cap on insulin for example) and we need to bring more doctors to the Valley so people can get care more quickly and closer to home.
Education policy: I’m a proud product of Valley public schools, and I’m so grateful for the education I received. Like so many parents in our community, I'm deeply concerned about what the pandemic has done to our kids. That’s why I spoke out early and often to get kids back in classrooms once it was safe and why I support ensuring parents have a strong voice in our kids’ education. I believe our schools need to teach kids real skills so they can get a good-paying job, and I’m a huge supporter of trade and skills education.
Balanced budgets/U.S. debt: My wife Pam and I recently welcomed our daughter Lily into the world, and it’s brought new meaning to my commitment to leaving a strong and stable world for the next generation. I am very concerned we’re passing an enormous amount of debt from our generation onto hers and what it will mean for her future. I support smart measures to bring down our national debt and get on pace to balance the budget. When I worked in business we always had to pay our bills and think long term. The government should have to as well.
Climate change policy: The evidence of climate change is all around us. Catastrophic wildfires and the smoke they create. Historic drought after historic drought. Climate change threatens our way of life. We can't have our kids not being able to play outside or our farmers not being able to grow the crops that feed the world. This is a health and economic issue, and I believe we only solve it by bringing everyone to the table and agreeing on common sense solutions that work for our families, our farmers, and our entire community.
Foreign diplomacy/intervention: The world is a better and safer place when the United States is the global leader for good. That means leading economically, leading with our democracy, and doing what’s necessary to keep peace and protect those who need it. Whether it’s in Ukraine or anywhere else around the world, those fighting for freedom and democracy should know we have their backs.
MARK ANDREWS
Why are you running for this seat?
I chose to run for federal office after experiencing denial of my basic civil rights guaranteed to me by the Constitution. The only way to make changes in the system is to become part of the system and change it from within.
What issues set you apart from your opponents?
My background as a court officer over the last 14 years makes me uniquely qualified to deal with legal issues within the government. Working for 15 investigators has given me a “get to the bottom of the issues and find the facts” attitude. There's so much the American people are not told because of the party system and that has to change. I have found it becoming a member of any branch of the government there's nothing about serving at the highest levels, it's been about power and money. I want to be a candidate who steps forward to serve the people of the 9th District and the United States of America, like my father, brother, son-in-law, and cousin before me who all served in the military. I can serve in government and make a huge difference and be a voice for the voiceless.
What do you see as the biggest needs in the 9th District?
All my research has shown me that the biggest issue in the San Joaquin Valley is water. It’s easier to find a gold nugget in a box of Cracker Jacks than it is to find a gallon of water for a crop in the San Joaquin Valley. I plan to change that as their representative when elected.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
I have four main platforms: 1. Water infrastructure money, and finding a scientific solution so San Joaquin and Southern California can get the water that is needed for all citizens. 2. Family Law Bill of Rights Act. 3. Get homeless Veterans got off the street. 4. Campaign finance reform/term limits.
Your thoughts on:
COVID policy: Follow the true science and respect other's safety.
Public safety/criminal justice: There needs to be much more accountability to the law no matter how much money or power a citizen has.
Social justice reforms: Family Law Bill of Rights Act, to the president's desk to be signed into law.
Immigration policy: DACA recipients should be granted their citizenship immediately, as for borders there are ports of entry to come to the U.S. — use them or face criminal prosecution.
Economic policy: Take DARK money out of politics, because Americans have little idea how much extra we all pay for products like gas and pharmaceuticals, and create a fair tax plan for all Americans.
Gun control policy: This is a Second Amendment issue, and a lawful right, however you don't give a gun to a 13-year-old. Responsible gun ownership must be a requirement and we should have a solid and defined path for all Americans.
Health care policy: Stop allowing corporations to buy Congressional votes through dark money political packs that are counter to the wants and wills of their constituents. Just an FYI: Insulin in America is about $300 per vile but only $46 in Canada. Why?
Education policy: America's youth are the leaders of tomorrow. It has been a frequent policy of our federal government to shortchange the education system. I believe we should put more into our education system and educating our youth. If we take a half a percent of our federal budget for the military think of what we could do to our education system in this country. When elected I will find funding for the system for the youth of the San Joaquin Valley and America's children across the country. It is our duty as leaders to make America number one in the education system.
Balanced budgets/U.S. debt: America spends far too much money on the radical left and the radical right. Constant infighting amongst our leaders leads to ginormous sums of money being spent on useless political drama when it could be better used toward helping the American people. We need to make politicians again accountable to the citizens they serve and not the parties that they serve. America can and will do much better once we get this Old Guard out of office and get some people in there who actually want to serve the American people and put America first.
Climate change policy: I am personally a victim of the Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa. I lost my home and my office, I was then a victim of the Glass Fire as I was just getting back on my feet. The southeastern United States has always has terrorized by hurricanes, the West Coast repeatedly burns to the ground and yet our given leaders spend more time fighting amongst one another over trivial political issues than what Americans need. I will be a different elected leader and focus on these problems and find the money and the science help us combat this so that Americans stop suffering at the hands of Mother Nature.
Foreign diplomacy/intervention: Vladimir Putin is the embodiment of corruption in politics and what happens when nothing is done about it. Not only is the country of Ukraine suffering under war but women and children are being killed mercilessly. We can do so much better, we just have to deal with the problems instead of placating them. I am all for aiding the citizens of Ukraine and I am all for us standing together as a world united under NATO. We are and should always remain a symbol of democracy and integrity in the world. And our leaders should embody that.
JIM SHOEMAKER
Why are you running for this seat?
I’m running for Congress because WE THE PEOPLE of California need a voice. We need to be represented and not ignored by “professional” bought out politicians. We are DONE with what’s going on in our state and in our county.
What issues set you apart from your opponents?
I am the pro-life candidate. Life begins at conception. I am also pro-traditional family. I am the constitutional conservative. I believe in less regulation and smaller government. I am against growing the government.
What do you see as the biggest needs in the 9th District?
The biggest needs in the 9th district are medical freedoms, water storage, updating infrastructure, and protecting agriculture.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
I will work to get us back to energy independence, I will bring manufacturing of health products, microchips and essential industries to our nation so we are not reliant on China and other foreign nations. I will address the need for financial freedom, protect our unborn babies, and fight to uphold our Constitution.
Your thoughts on:
COVID policy: After two years of this pandemic, most people are capable of assessing their own risk and living accordingly. I do not believe that mask or vaccine mandates have been an effective policy for combating the virus, and I would fight against any future such mandates
Public safety/criminal justice: We need to ensure our law enforcement has proper funding and oversight to enable are laws to be properly enforced while injustice can be dealt with, allowing our citizens to feel safe.
Social justice reforms: The 49 years since Roe v Wade, has seen more than 60 million innocent children, most of which have been children of color, tragically killed with no justice. It is time we overturn the decision, and protect the lives of the innocent who deserve the right to life as do all others. For families to grow again and fathers to be back in the home, to secure a future with strong family values.
Immigration policy: America has benefited greatly due to the skilled immigrants that have made this country home. People need a simple path to citizenship so that they can join and assimilate into this great country and benefit the society as it benefits them.
Economic policy: The government is over-regulating and overtaxing the American people, which hinders prosperity from reaching its highest potential. To encourage economic growth and families to flourish, we need to remove the privileges big businesses receive. We must also lower the tax rates and remove burdensome regulations that hinder small businesses and economic growth.
Gun control policy: Every citizen has a right to self defense and to bear arms. The ability to buy and carry a firearm quickly and safely is essential to defend our communities and ensure public safety
Health care policy: With soaring healthcare prices and a growing support of socialized healthcare, the healthcare industry must be massively deregulated. With a deregulated free market for insurers, greater competition will lead to lower prices and more choice for people of varying income. It is because of government intervention that health care has become the mess that it is.
Education policy: Education of our children is a very complex subject, and cannot be left up to the federal government to decide. Education must be as decentralized and localized as much as possible to bring about efficient outcomes for generations to come. I will push for School Choice, so that parents have a greater say in their children’s education.
Balanced budgets/U.S. debt: The federal government is massively spending more than necessary and cannot continue down the path it is going down. To balance the budget efficiently, funding towards inefficient social programs and unconstitutional agencies such as the DEA, ATF, Department of Education and Department of Energy should be massively cut back to reduce spending.
Climate change policy: The climate and protection of the environment is not ultimately the role of the government to solve, but rather private citizens. Unnecessary and inefficient regulations against businesses should be repealed, and environmental protection should be left towards the conscious of individuals and not the responsibility of the government.
Foreign diplomacy/intervention: America needs to stop intervening in foreign conflicts that do not threaten her freedoms. We must stop playing the policeman of the world. Intervention is only justified when absolutely necessary and Congress needs to declare war if we are to act .