Joseph Darren Osborne

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Joseph Osborne completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Osborne's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-393497-2026-02-04\" id=\"heading-bio-393497-2026-02-04\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-393497-2026-02-04\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-393497-2026-02-04\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-393497-2026-02-04\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-393497-2026-02-04\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy name is Joey Osborne. I’m a lifelong entrepreneur, small business builder, and problem-solver who has spent most of my adult life outside of politics, creating companies, managing people, and working through real-world challenges.\r\n<p>I started and grew businesses in the home services and technology spaces, creating jobs and helping other business owners succeed. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how federal policies, taxes, regulations, healthcare costs, and government inefficiency...directly affect families, workers, and small businesses.\r\n</p>\nI’m running for Congress because I believe government should work for the people it serves, not for political parties, special interests, or career politicians. I bring an outsider’s perspective, a practical mindset, and a focus on accountability, results, and common sense solutions.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-393497-2026-02-04\" id=\"heading-key-message-393497-2026-02-04\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-393497-2026-02-04\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-393497-2026-02-04\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-393497-2026-02-04\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-393497-2026-02-04\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Government should work for the people, not political parties or career politicians.\r\nWashington has become a system that rewards longevity, loyalty to party leadership, and big donors rather than results. I am running to restore accountability, transparency, and true representation so everyday people, not insiders, have a real voice in the decisions that affect their lives</li><li>Real-world experience matters more than political experience.\r\nI have spent my career building businesses, solving problems, managing budgets, and creating jobs. That background brings a practical, results-focused mindset to Congress, centered on what actually works rather than ideology, talking points, or partisan gridlock.</li><li>It is time to change how elections and representation work.\r\nToo many elections are controlled by party machinery and money instead of voters. I am committed to proving that an independent, citizen-centered campaign can succeed and to opening the door for reforms that reduce polarization, limit special-interest influence, and make government more responsive to the people it serves.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-393497-2026-02-04\" id=\"heading1-393497-2026-02-04\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-393497-2026-02-04\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-393497-2026-02-04\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-393497-2026-02-04\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-393497-2026-02-04\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am most passionate about government accountability, healthcare affordability, and economic policy grounded in real-world outcomes. I believe government should serve the people rather than political parties or special interests, with greater transparency and fewer conflicts of interest. In healthcare, my focus is on lowering costs, increasing competition, and restoring patient choice. Economically, I support policies that strengthen small businesses, protect household purchasing power, and promote long-term stability rather than short-term political wins.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>\n<div><div style=\"margin-bottom:1.5rem\"><h4>Media interview</h4><p>Osborne stated the following in an interview with <i>WSOC-TV</i>:</p><div style=\"max-height:400px;overflow-y:auto;border:1px solid #ccc;padding:10px;margin:20px\"><blockquote style=\"margin:0px\"><p><strong>Over the last year, we have heard terms like “affordability crisis” and concerns from the state about health care affordability. Do you think there is an “affordability crisis,” and if so, what should be done to solve it? </strong>Yes, we are absolutely facing an affordability crisis, not just in health care but across nearly every part of daily life. The core problem is that government policies often increase costs while reducing real competition and accountability. In health care, we need transparency in pricing, fewer middlemen, more competition across state lines, and policies that empower patients rather than insurance companies or large hospital systems. Affordability improves when markets work and when government stops distorting them.</p><p><strong>What should the role of the United States be in Venezuela, the Ukraine-Russia war and the Israel-Palestine conflict?</strong> America should lead with strength, clarity, and restraint. Our role should be to defend our national interests, support stability, and avoid endless foreign entanglements that lack clear objectives. In Ukraine, we should pursue a realistic path to peace while protecting U.S. security interests. In Israel, we should support our ally’s right to defend itself while encouraging regional stability. In Venezuela, the focus should be on supporting democratic outcomes without committing U.S. taxpayers to open-ended interventions.</p><p><strong>Are you in favor of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration? What immigration reform measures do you support?</strong> Yes, I support enforcing the law and securing the border. A nation without borders is not a nation. At the same time, we need a functional immigration system that is fair, efficient, and humane. That includes securing the border, fixing asylum abuse, expanding legal immigration where it benefits the economy, and holding employers accountable. Enforcement and reform must go hand in hand.</p><p><strong>What sets you apart from your opponents? </strong>I am not a career politician, and I am not backed by party leadership or special interests. I have spent my life solving real problems in the real world, balancing budgets, making payroll, and being accountable for results. I am running to represent people, not a party, and to change a political system that rewards insiders while ignoring everyday Americans. My focus is practical solutions, honesty, and accountability.</p></blockquote><div style=\"text-align: right; font-size: 0.9em; color: #555; margin-top: 0.5em;\"><p style=\"font-size:0.9em;color:#555\">— Joseph Osborne in <a href=\"https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/political-beat-candidate-guide-house-representatives-district-5/UVAAMSJOE5CBVKTXA55FRMRWPE/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><i>WSOC-TV</i></a> interview (February 12, 2026)</p></div></div></div><div style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;\"><i>Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.</i></div></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Joseph Osborne completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Osborne's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading-bio-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tJoey Osborne is a life-long conservative, active in Republican politics for more than 45 years. He is a businessman whose companies employee more than 600 Americans and have served more than two million customers. Joey believes in smaller government, lower taxes and less regulation. He's dedicated to bringing more, better paying jobs to western NC. Like President Trump, Joey's more than 40 years of business experience bring to Washington exceptional budget skills. Just like he does everyday for his own companies, Joey is dedicated to cutting and balancing the U.S. budget. Joey feels that for far too long the Washington elite have been squandering away Americas' hard-earned prosperity and he is committed to bringing control of government spending back to the people. Joey is pro-life, pro-gun and pro-constitution.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading-key-message-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li><p>Joey Osborne is committed to a balanced budget for America.</p><p><br/></p></li><li><p>Joey Osborne believes there are far too many growth-stifling regulations in government and will support Donald Trump in his effort to reduce them.</p><p><br/></p></li><li>As a member of Congress Joey Osborne will support Donald Trump in advocating for lower taxes and replacing Obama care.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading1-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tJoey Osborne is passionate about reducing the size of government. He feels that private sector solutions to America's needs are nearly always better than government managed solutions. Joey is for lower taxes and the repeal of Obama care.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading2-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tJoey especially looks up to his grandparents who were hard working, church going community supporting Americans. Joey follows the example set by his step-father who was a career Army, Vietnam war veteran who never complained and cared more for others than for himself.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading3-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWisdom, honesty, dedication, work ethic, creativity.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading4-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe core responsibilities of Representatives is to support and abide by the constitution of the United States while representing the wishes of his/her constituency. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading5-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe first major historical event to impact Joey Osborne was the resignation of Richard Nixon. Joey was 14 years old at the time.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading6-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tJoey Osborne's first job started in 1972 when he was 12 years old. He worked during the summer months at a gas station when he was out of school. He was paid $8 per day and bought a new bike after his second week on the job.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading7-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tPower of Intention. The book teaches that with positively directed intention anything can be achieved.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading8-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBy design the US House of Rep. is to be the direct voice of the people. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading9-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe present state of dysfunction in Congress is indicative of the fact that we do not need more experienced politicians in government.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading10-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tContinued growth of movement toward socialism.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading11-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOne of my major emphasis is to remove needless regulation and reduce the size of government. I will seek to serve on committees that serve that purpose. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading12-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tYes\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading13-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe the framers of the constitution built a perfectly adequate and well-thought system for term limits by having elections every two years.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-70320-2020-01-21\" id=\"heading14-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-70320-2020-01-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-70320-2020-01-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-70320-2020-01-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tPresident Calvin Coolidge and Senator Pat Toomey\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nJoseph Osborne completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Osborne's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. My name is Joey Osborne. I’m a lifelong entrepreneur, small business builder, and problem-solver who has spent most of my adult life outside of politics, creating companies, managing people, and working through real-world challenges. I started and grew businesses in the home services and technology spaces, creating jobs and helping other business owners succeed. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how federal policies, taxes, regulations, healthcare costs, and government inefficiency...directly affect families, workers, and small businesses. I’m running for Congress because I believe government should work for the people it serves, not for political parties, special interests, or career politicians. I bring an outsider’s perspective, a practical mindset, and a focus on accountability, results, and common sense solutions. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Government should work for the people, not political parties or career politicians.\r\nWashington has become a system that rewards longevity, loyalty to party leadership, and big donors rather than results. I am running to restore accountability, transparency, and true representation so everyday people, not insiders, have a real voice in the decisions that affect their lives Real-world experience matters more than political experience.\r\nI have spent my career building businesses, solving problems, managing budgets, and creating jobs. That background brings a practical, results-focused mindset to Congress, centered on what actually works rather than ideology, talking points, or partisan gridlock. It is time to change how elections and representation work.\r\nToo many elections are controlled by party machinery and money instead of voters. I am committed to proving that an independent, citizen-centered campaign can succeed and to opening the door for reforms that reduce polarization, limit special-interest influence, and make government more responsive to the people it serves. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am most passionate about government accountability, healthcare affordability, and economic policy grounded in real-world outcomes. I believe government should serve the people rather than political parties or special interests, with greater transparency and fewer conflicts of interest. In healthcare, my focus is on lowering costs, increasing competition, and restoring patient choice. Economically, I support policies that strengthen small businesses, protect household purchasing power, and promote long-term stability rather than short-term political wins.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.\nMedia interview Osborne stated the following in an interview with WSOC-TV : Over the last year, we have heard terms like “affordability crisis” and concerns from the state about health care affordability. Do you think there is an “affordability crisis,” and if so, what should be done to solve it? Yes, we are absolutely facing an affordability crisis, not just in health care but across nearly every part of daily life. The core problem is that government policies often increase costs while reducing real competition and accountability. In health care, we need transparency in pricing, fewer middlemen, more competition across state lines, and policies that empower patients rather than insurance companies or large hospital systems. Affordability improves when markets work and when government stops distorting them. What should the role of the United States be in Venezuela, the Ukraine-Russia war and the Israel-Palestine conflict? America should lead with strength, clarity, and restraint. Our role should be to defend our national interests, support stability, and avoid endless foreign entanglements that lack clear objectives. In Ukraine, we should pursue a realistic path to peace while protecting U.S. security interests. In Israel, we should support our ally’s right to defend itself while encouraging regional stability. In Venezuela, the focus should be on supporting democratic outcomes without committing U.S. taxpayers to open-ended interventions. Are you in favor of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration? What immigration reform measures do you support? Yes, I support enforcing the law and securing the border. A nation without borders is not a nation. At the same time, we need a functional immigration system that is fair, efficient, and humane. That includes securing the border, fixing asylum abuse, expanding legal immigration where it benefits the economy, and holding employers accountable. Enforcement and reform must go hand in hand. What sets you apart from your opponents? I am not a career politician, and I am not backed by party leadership or special interests. I have spent my life solving real problems in the real world, balancing budgets, making payroll, and being accountable for results. I am running to represent people, not a party, and to change a political system that rewards insiders while ignoring everyday Americans. My focus is practical solutions, honesty, and accountability. — Joseph Osborne in WSOC-TV interview (February 12, 2026) Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.\n\n\nJoseph Osborne completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Osborne's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Joey Osborne is a life-long conservative, active in Republican politics for more than 45 years. He is a businessman whose companies employee more than 600 Americans and have served more than two million customers. Joey believes in smaller government, lower taxes and less regulation. He's dedicated to bringing more, better paying jobs to western NC. Like President Trump, Joey's more than 40 years of business experience bring to Washington exceptional budget skills. Just like he does everyday for his own companies, Joey is dedicated to cutting and balancing the U.S. budget. Joey feels that for far too long the Washington elite have been squandering away Americas' hard-earned prosperity and he is committed to bringing control of government spending back to the people. Joey is pro-life, pro-gun and pro-constitution. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Joey Osborne is committed to a balanced budget for America. Joey Osborne believes there are far too many growth-stifling regulations in government and will support Donald Trump in his effort to reduce them. As a member of Congress Joey Osborne will support Donald Trump in advocating for lower taxes and replacing Obama care. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Joey Osborne is passionate about reducing the size of government. He feels that private sector solutions to America's needs are nearly always better than government managed solutions. Joey is for lower taxes and the repeal of Obama care. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? Joey especially looks up to his grandparents who were hard working, church going community supporting Americans. Joey follows the example set by his step-father who was a career Army, Vietnam war veteran who never complained and cared more for others than for himself. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? Wisdom, honesty, dedication, work ethic, creativity. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The core responsibilities of Representatives is to support and abide by the constitution of the United States while representing the wishes of his/her constituency. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? The first major historical event to impact Joey Osborne was the resignation of Richard Nixon. Joey was 14 years old at the time. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? Joey Osborne's first job started in 1972 when he was 12 years old. He worked during the summer months at a gas station when he was out of school. He was paid $8 per day and bought a new bike after his second week on the job. What is your favorite book? Why? Power of Intention. The book teaches that with positively directed intention anything can be achieved. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? By design the US House of Rep. is to be the direct voice of the people. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? The present state of dysfunction in Congress is indicative of the fact that we do not need more experienced politicians in government. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Continued growth of movement toward socialism. If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of? One of my major emphasis is to remove needless regulation and reduce the size of government. I will seek to serve on committees that serve that purpose. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? Yes What are your thoughts on term limits? I believe the framers of the constitution built a perfectly adequate and well-thought system for term limits by having elections every two years. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? President Calvin Coolidge and Senator Pat Toomey\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]