Michele Weslander Quaid

[{"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>Michele Weslander Quaid completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Weslander Quaid'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-113194-2022-04-08\" id=\"heading-bio-113194-2022-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-113194-2022-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-113194-2022-04-08\" 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-113194-2022-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-113194-2022-04-08\" 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 run for Congress is a continuation of the oath of office I took 20 years ago.\r\n<p>Raised in Santa Barbara by a single mom with an income below the US-defined poverty level, I worked hard to get a good education and earn a better standard of living. After graduating as the valedictorian of my high school, I earned a B.S. in Physics and Engineering Science and an M.S. in Optics. This led to a 25-year national security career in the Washington D.C. area.\r\n</p><p>In 2002, I was recruited into government service to lead innovation and sworn in as a senior executive in defense intelligence. I voluntarily traveled to the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan to better support our troops and served as the first Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Director of National Intelligence. As a senior policymaker, I worked with Congress and successfully managed large offices and budgets. After government service, I became Google’s Chief Technology Officer for Public Sector and then started my own business, Sunesis Nexus. In 2016, I returned to Santa Barbara.\r\n</p><p>I appreciate our military and am the widow of a veteran who served our country honorably for over 22 years. Our daughter is an American patriot.\r\n</p>\nHaving lived the American dream, I want to preserve it for future generations. In Congress, I will act with integrity, stand for truth and liberty, and use my expertise in executive leadership, strategic planning, and coalition building to effectively represent California’s 24th District.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-113194-2022-04-08\" id=\"heading-key-message-113194-2022-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-113194-2022-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-113194-2022-04-08\" 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-113194-2022-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-113194-2022-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Individual Liberty, Equal Justice, Constitutionally Limited Government. The Declaration of Independence states that every human is “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” and a just government secures those rights. Our legal system follows natural law, which acknowledges individuals' rights come from their Creator, not the government, and therefore no human authority can reduce these rights. There must be liberty and justice for all. Today, our government is operating outside its legal authority as articulated in the U.S. Constitution and trying to dictate every aspect of our lives. I will support legislation that maximizes the opportunity for people to thrive, and work to restore our constitutional republic.</li><li>National Security, Secure Border, First Responders, Military, Veterans. America is an experiment in self-government where “We The People” are the sovereign. We elect people to represent us and they derive their power from our consent. The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution articulates the role of the government, “to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.” A government’s first responsibility is to its citizens, and a sovereign nation must have secure borders. I will put the interests of America and its citizens first and support those who serve on the front lines risking their lives for us at home and abroad.</li><li>Fiscal Responsibility, Lower Taxes, Free Market Economy, Excellence in Education. Our government has not demonstrated fiscal responsibility and is over-taxing We The People to pay for its spending habits and engaging in crony capitalism in an attempt to control the economy. This has had disastrous results. The government is overspending and printing money, devaluing the dollar. Inflation has risen to a 40 year high (March 2022), impacting every aspect of our lives. We spend large amounts on education but too many schools are failing our students. I will work to cut spending and taxes, lift unreasonable burdens for employers and employees to help our businesses to prosper, and ensure parents have school choice for their students to thrive.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-113194-2022-04-08\" id=\"heading1-113194-2022-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-113194-2022-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-113194-2022-04-08\" 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=\"heading1-113194-2022-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-113194-2022-04-08\" 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\tOur national debt is an economic issue, national security issue, and moral issue. The government’s lack of fiscal responsibility is burdening our children with a debt that cannot be repaid, harming their future and the sovereignty of our nation. <br/><br/>\n<p>Our education system is failing our children. Instead of being taught the fundamentals – reading, writing, arithmetic, true American history, and citizenship – and how to learn, students are being told what to think and subjected to indoctrination with radical ideologies. We must preserve parental rights and ensure that each child receives an educational foundation that enables them to be lifelong learners and thrive. <br/><br/>\r\nOur military and first responders deserve our unwavering support. My husband was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor (glioblastoma) on his first day of retirement from the military. He qualified for maximum benefits but it was a constant battle with the Department of Veterans Affairs to get them to provide the benefits to which he was entitled and he died at age 47. Those who risk their lives for our freedom deserve the best care in their time of need. <br/><br/>\r\nWe must be good stewards of the earth and apply common-sense environmental policies that enable sustainable agriculture and forest-management practices that protect our communities.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nWe need to return to being energy independent, with a combination of renewable energy and fossil fuels, for the good of American citizens and our national security.<br/></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\nMichele Weslander Quaid completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Weslander Quaid's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. My run for Congress is a continuation of the oath of office I took 20 years ago. Raised in Santa Barbara by a single mom with an income below the US-defined poverty level, I worked hard to get a good education and earn a better standard of living. After graduating as the valedictorian of my high school, I earned a B.S. in Physics and Engineering Science and an M.S. in Optics. This led to a 25-year national security career in the Washington D.C. area. In 2002, I was recruited into government service to lead innovation and sworn in as a senior executive in defense intelligence. I voluntarily traveled to the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan to better support our troops and served as the first Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Director of National Intelligence. As a senior policymaker, I worked with Congress and successfully managed large offices and budgets. After government service, I became Google’s Chief Technology Officer for Public Sector and then started my own business, Sunesis Nexus. In 2016, I returned to Santa Barbara. I appreciate our military and am the widow of a veteran who served our country honorably for over 22 years. Our daughter is an American patriot. Having lived the American dream, I want to preserve it for future generations. In Congress, I will act with integrity, stand for truth and liberty, and use my expertise in executive leadership, strategic planning, and coalition building to effectively represent California’s 24th District. 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? Individual Liberty, Equal Justice, Constitutionally Limited Government. The Declaration of Independence states that every human is “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” and a just government secures those rights. Our legal system follows natural law, which acknowledges individuals' rights come from their Creator, not the government, and therefore no human authority can reduce these rights. There must be liberty and justice for all. Today, our government is operating outside its legal authority as articulated in the U.S. Constitution and trying to dictate every aspect of our lives. I will support legislation that maximizes the opportunity for people to thrive, and work to restore our constitutional republic. National Security, Secure Border, First Responders, Military, Veterans. America is an experiment in self-government where “We The People” are the sovereign. We elect people to represent us and they derive their power from our consent. The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution articulates the role of the government, “to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.” A government’s first responsibility is to its citizens, and a sovereign nation must have secure borders. I will put the interests of America and its citizens first and support those who serve on the front lines risking their lives for us at home and abroad. Fiscal Responsibility, Lower Taxes, Free Market Economy, Excellence in Education. Our government has not demonstrated fiscal responsibility and is over-taxing We The People to pay for its spending habits and engaging in crony capitalism in an attempt to control the economy. This has had disastrous results. The government is overspending and printing money, devaluing the dollar. Inflation has risen to a 40 year high (March 2022), impacting every aspect of our lives. We spend large amounts on education but too many schools are failing our students. I will work to cut spending and taxes, lift unreasonable burdens for employers and employees to help our businesses to prosper, and ensure parents have school choice for their students to thrive. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Our national debt is an economic issue, national security issue, and moral issue. The government’s lack of fiscal responsibility is burdening our children with a debt that cannot be repaid, harming their future and the sovereignty of our nation. Our education system is failing our children. Instead of being taught the fundamentals – reading, writing, arithmetic, true American history, and citizenship – and how to learn, students are being told what to think and subjected to indoctrination with radical ideologies. We must preserve parental rights and ensure that each child receives an educational foundation that enables them to be lifelong learners and thrive. Our military and first responders deserve our unwavering support. My husband was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor (glioblastoma) on his first day of retirement from the military. He qualified for maximum benefits but it was a constant battle with the Department of Veterans Affairs to get them to provide the benefits to which he was entitled and he died at age 47. Those who risk their lives for our freedom deserve the best care in their time of need. We must be good stewards of the earth and apply common-sense environmental policies that enable sustainable agriculture and forest-management practices that protect our communities. We need to return to being energy independent, with a combination of renewable energy and fossil fuels, for the good of American citizens and our national security.\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."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Weslander Quaid's campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>Principles</b>\n</p><p>Individual Liberty, Equal Justice​\n</p><p>Constitutionally Limited Government\n</p><p>National Security, Secure Border\n</p><p>First Responders, Military, Veterans\n</p><p>Fiscal Responsibility, Lower Taxes\n</p><p>Free Market Economy\n</p><p>Excellence In Education\n</p><p>Environmental Stewardship\n</p><p>Sustainable Agriculture\n</p><p>Energy Independence<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_3-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-3\">[3]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Michele Weslander Quaid's campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-4\"><a href=\"#cite_note-4\">[4]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0\"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(\"div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0\"); });</script></div>", "answer_text": "Weslander Quaid's campaign website stated the following:\n“ Principles Individual Liberty, Equal Justice​ Constitutionally Limited Government National Security, Secure Border First Responders, Military, Veterans Fiscal Responsibility, Lower Taxes Free Market Economy Excellence In Education Environmental Stewardship Sustainable Agriculture Energy Independence [3] ” —Michele Weslander Quaid's campaign website (2022) [4]"}]