Rod Dorilas

[{"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>Rod Dorilas completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dorilas' 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-99242-2021-07-16\" id=\"heading-bio-99242-2021-07-16\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-99242-2021-07-16\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-99242-2021-07-16\" 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-99242-2021-07-16\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-99242-2021-07-16\" 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\tRod Dorilás is the first-generation son of two immigrants from Haiti. His father immigrated to Florida to pick crops, and eventually his parents went on to own a small business. From a young age, his parents instilled in him the importance of hard work, integrity, and service.\r\n<p>At age 17, Rod enlisted in the United States Navy, serving for six years as a Petty Officer Second Class and Assistant Engagement Control Officer onboard the USS The Sullivans, stationed in Jacksonville. There, he was responsible for planning and executing the deployment of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles on the Ballistic Missile Defense destroyer. \r\n</p><p>Upon completion of his military service, Rod attended law school at Syracuse University with the help of the G.I. Bill. After graduating, he served in President Trump’s Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce as Counsel to the Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross. While serving our great nation, Rod fought tirelessly to ensure that American families and businesses weren’t taken advantage of by China.\r\n</p>\nRod is a true public servant and is dedicated to serving his country and community. He wants to ensure that every American, through hard work and perseverance, can achieve the American Dream.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-99242-2021-07-16\" id=\"heading-key-message-99242-2021-07-16\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-99242-2021-07-16\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-99242-2021-07-16\" 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-99242-2021-07-16\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-99242-2021-07-16\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Ensure the American Dream remains alive and well.</li><li>Fight for the hardworking Americans, and put America first.</li><li>Protect and build up small businesses and entrepreneurs, who are the back bone of America's economy.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-99242-2021-07-16\" id=\"heading1-99242-2021-07-16\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-99242-2021-07-16\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-99242-2021-07-16\" 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=\"heading1-99242-2021-07-16\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-99242-2021-07-16\" 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\tForeign policy; education; immigration; national and economic security; constitutional law; civil rights; economic opportunities; Second Amendment rights; antitrust law.\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\nRod Dorilas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dorilas' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Rod Dorilás is the first-generation son of two immigrants from Haiti. His father immigrated to Florida to pick crops, and eventually his parents went on to own a small business. From a young age, his parents instilled in him the importance of hard work, integrity, and service. At age 17, Rod enlisted in the United States Navy, serving for six years as a Petty Officer Second Class and Assistant Engagement Control Officer onboard the USS The Sullivans, stationed in Jacksonville. There, he was responsible for planning and executing the deployment of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles on the Ballistic Missile Defense destroyer. Upon completion of his military service, Rod attended law school at Syracuse University with the help of the G.I. Bill. After graduating, he served in President Trump’s Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce as Counsel to the Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross. While serving our great nation, Rod fought tirelessly to ensure that American families and businesses weren’t taken advantage of by China. Rod is a true public servant and is dedicated to serving his country and community. He wants to ensure that every American, through hard work and perseverance, can achieve the American Dream. 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? Ensure the American Dream remains alive and well. Fight for the hardworking Americans, and put America first. Protect and build up small businesses and entrepreneurs, who are the back bone of America's economy. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Foreign policy; education; immigration; national and economic security; constitutional law; civil rights; economic opportunities; Second Amendment rights; antitrust law.\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>Rod Dorilas' 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>ECONOMY</b>\n</p><p>My parents went from picking crops to owning a small business and achieving the American Dream. I don’t just recognize the issues facing working class families, I’ve lived through them. Sadly, the very policies that allowed my family to succeed are now under attack in Washington. From raising taxes to socialized medicine, Democrats seem determined to cripple the U.S. economy.\n</p><p>Americans are experiencing sharp inflation and supply chain issues, which in turn has become a tax on the poor. \n</p><p>Instead, the federal government must enact policies that encourage economic growth, create jobs, and increase wages. It must decrease wasteful spending and exercise fiscal responsibility. In Congress, I will be a vocal supporter of economic empowerment and will fight against big government socialism.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>IMMIGRATION</b>\n</p><p>As the son of Haitian immigrants, I understand and support the value of legal immigration. I want to ensure that the American Dream remains possible for those who desire a better life and immigrate to the U.S. legally. \n</p><p>However, our current immigration system is broken, and has been in dire need of reform for decades. Fentanyl can be smuggled freely across our borders, and human trafficking remains a constant problem. Congress has abandoned their responsibility on this issue, and we must, once and for all, secure our nation’s borders to end the never-ending chain of broken policies that harm our children, our families, and our country.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>EDUCATION</b>\n</p><p>Thanks to pro-school choice policies, I had the privilege of attending a high school outside of my zip code. Instead of attending a poor performing school, I opted to participate in the school district’s Pre-Medicine and Air Force JROTC magnet programs. This meant traveling via public bus and train every day in order to receive a quality education. \n</p><p>Elected officials should be focused, at every level, on policies that encourage parents to get more involved in their children’s education. I do not know where I would be if my parents did not encourage me to attend a better school. It is important both as a parent and as a citizen to review what their children are being taught and what materials will be used. We should encourage positive ways to raise questions and concerns, instead of labeling parents as domestic terrorists. At the end of the day, if a school fails to meet the students’ needs, the parents should have the right to select another.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>CHINA</b>\n</p><p>China is a rising challenge with growing territorial, economic, and military ambitions that conflict with our national and economic security. Beijing sees itself in a long war with the United States for global dominance. Today, we are overly dependent upon the Chinese Communist Party for America’s strategic and vital resources—such as semiconductors, medical equipment, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and defense supplies and technology.\n</p><p>As your representative, I will push to reduce America’s dependence on our foreign adversaries, like China, and support policies that create more jobs at home. Furthermore, I believe the U.S. government should not do business with any entity that is reliant upon forced labor or associated with the CCP’s detention camps.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>MILITARY</b>\n</p><p>In the Navy, I served six years and three tours, helping protect our ally Israel from Iranian aggression. I’ve seen firsthand the importance of a strong military and will fight to make sure our troops have the resources necessary to keep us safe. As the most powerful nation on earth, we have a duty to protect our allies, promote peace, and defend the American people from threats both foreign and domestic.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>VETERANS AFFAIRS</b>\n</p><p>Our veterans swore to protect and defend America and, if necessary, give their life. At the very least, we should provide veterans with the best quality of care and respect they have earned. As a Navy combat veteran, I understand the frustrating obstacles that our nation’s finest men and women must navigate in order to receive their benefits.\n</p><p>I believe veterans should have the flexibility to choose medical care anytime and anywhere. \n</p><p>Unfortunately, our servicemen and women return to their families with scars both visible and invisible. So, it’s imperative that we provide our veterans with efficient and excellent mental healthcare. We are losing too many of our veterans to suicide. It’s unacceptable. \n</p><p>As a member of congress, I pledge to tear down the bureaucratic red tape and help ensure our warriors are being equipped with the tools necessary to win the battles they face at home. No more excuses. Our elected officials need to prioritize the health of our American heroes.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>HEALTHCARE</b>\n</p><p>Thanks to the disaster of Obamacare, the U.S. healthcare system is in desperate need of repair. But instead of fixing their mess, Democrats in DC are now openly advocating for socialized medicine, a policy that would lead to fewer choices, higher costs, and decreased quality of care.\n</p><p>To solve our current healthcare crisis, we must put the American people in charge of their own healthcare decisions, not Washington. Rather than enacting government-run healthcare, we must push for policies that expand access to care and lower premiums for working families.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>BIG TECH</b>\n</p><p>Major social media platforms must be held accountable for their blatant censorship of conservative voices. From suppressing posts to banning accounts, Big Tech poses a fundamental threat to the values of liberty and free speech that this country was founded upon. Congress must enact common-sense policies to ensure that Liberal companies can’t suppress contrary opinions.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES</b>\n</p><p>I am a strict constitutional conservative. Protecting the American people’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are paramount in preserving our democracy. In Congress, I will do just that. \n</p><p>I personally believe that life begins at conception. While in Congress, I will protect the rights of the future generation.\n</p><p>Additionally, our forefathers believed that the right to bear arms was the best defense against government tyranny. These attacks on the 2nd amendment threaten the freedoms and liberties that we as a nation hold dear.\n</p><p>I believe in safeguarding the 2nd amendment and protecting the integrity of the Constitution. As your representative, I’m going to fight to preserve our constitutional values.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_4-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-4\">[4]</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;\">—Rod Dorilas' campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-5\"><a href=\"#cite_note-5\">[5]</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": "Rod Dorilas' campaign website stated the following:\n“ ECONOMY My parents went from picking crops to owning a small business and achieving the American Dream. I don’t just recognize the issues facing working class families, I’ve lived through them. Sadly, the very policies that allowed my family to succeed are now under attack in Washington. From raising taxes to socialized medicine, Democrats seem determined to cripple the U.S. economy. Americans are experiencing sharp inflation and supply chain issues, which in turn has become a tax on the poor. Instead, the federal government must enact policies that encourage economic growth, create jobs, and increase wages. It must decrease wasteful spending and exercise fiscal responsibility. In Congress, I will be a vocal supporter of economic empowerment and will fight against big government socialism. IMMIGRATION As the son of Haitian immigrants, I understand and support the value of legal immigration. I want to ensure that the American Dream remains possible for those who desire a better life and immigrate to the U.S. legally. However, our current immigration system is broken, and has been in dire need of reform for decades. Fentanyl can be smuggled freely across our borders, and human trafficking remains a constant problem. Congress has abandoned their responsibility on this issue, and we must, once and for all, secure our nation’s borders to end the never-ending chain of broken policies that harm our children, our families, and our country. EDUCATION Thanks to pro-school choice policies, I had the privilege of attending a high school outside of my zip code. Instead of attending a poor performing school, I opted to participate in the school district’s Pre-Medicine and Air Force JROTC magnet programs. This meant traveling via public bus and train every day in order to receive a quality education. Elected officials should be focused, at every level, on policies that encourage parents to get more involved in their children’s education. I do not know where I would be if my parents did not encourage me to attend a better school. It is important both as a parent and as a citizen to review what their children are being taught and what materials will be used. We should encourage positive ways to raise questions and concerns, instead of labeling parents as domestic terrorists. At the end of the day, if a school fails to meet the students’ needs, the parents should have the right to select another. CHINA China is a rising challenge with growing territorial, economic, and military ambitions that conflict with our national and economic security. Beijing sees itself in a long war with the United States for global dominance. Today, we are overly dependent upon the Chinese Communist Party for America’s strategic and vital resources—such as semiconductors, medical equipment, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and defense supplies and technology. As your representative, I will push to reduce America’s dependence on our foreign adversaries, like China, and support policies that create more jobs at home. Furthermore, I believe the U.S. government should not do business with any entity that is reliant upon forced labor or associated with the CCP’s detention camps. MILITARY In the Navy, I served six years and three tours, helping protect our ally Israel from Iranian aggression. I’ve seen firsthand the importance of a strong military and will fight to make sure our troops have the resources necessary to keep us safe. As the most powerful nation on earth, we have a duty to protect our allies, promote peace, and defend the American people from threats both foreign and domestic. VETERANS AFFAIRS Our veterans swore to protect and defend America and, if necessary, give their life. At the very least, we should provide veterans with the best quality of care and respect they have earned. As a Navy combat veteran, I understand the frustrating obstacles that our nation’s finest men and women must navigate in order to receive their benefits. I believe veterans should have the flexibility to choose medical care anytime and anywhere. Unfortunately, our servicemen and women return to their families with scars both visible and invisible. So, it’s imperative that we provide our veterans with efficient and excellent mental healthcare. We are losing too many of our veterans to suicide. It’s unacceptable. As a member of congress, I pledge to tear down the bureaucratic red tape and help ensure our warriors are being equipped with the tools necessary to win the battles they face at home. No more excuses. Our elected officials need to prioritize the health of our American heroes. HEALTHCARE Thanks to the disaster of Obamacare, the U.S. healthcare system is in desperate need of repair. But instead of fixing their mess, Democrats in DC are now openly advocating for socialized medicine, a policy that would lead to fewer choices, higher costs, and decreased quality of care. To solve our current healthcare crisis, we must put the American people in charge of their own healthcare decisions, not Washington. Rather than enacting government-run healthcare, we must push for policies that expand access to care and lower premiums for working families. BIG TECH Major social media platforms must be held accountable for their blatant censorship of conservative voices. From suppressing posts to banning accounts, Big Tech poses a fundamental threat to the values of liberty and free speech that this country was founded upon. Congress must enact common-sense policies to ensure that Liberal companies can’t suppress contrary opinions. CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES I am a strict constitutional conservative. Protecting the American people’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are paramount in preserving our democracy. In Congress, I will do just that. I personally believe that life begins at conception. While in Congress, I will protect the rights of the future generation. Additionally, our forefathers believed that the right to bear arms was the best defense against government tyranny. These attacks on the 2nd amendment threaten the freedoms and liberties that we as a nation hold dear. I believe in safeguarding the 2nd amendment and protecting the integrity of the Constitution. As your representative, I’m going to fight to preserve our constitutional values. [4] ” —Rod Dorilas' campaign website (2022) [5]"}]