Amal Torres

[{"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>Amal Torres 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 Torres' 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-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading-bio-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-114119-2022-03-10\" 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-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-114119-2022-03-10\" 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\tAmal Torres was born in Mogadishu, Somalia. She came to the United States with her mother and siblings in the late 90s fleeing from the civil war in Somalia.\r\n<p>‍\r\nGrowing up in a poor household, Amal was raised by a strong and unrelenting single mother who strived to instill the values of hard work and integrity from a young age.\r\n‍\r\nShe enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in the middle of her undergraduate studies due to the 2008 financial crash. As a part of her initial military training, Amal studied Arabic at the Defense Language Institute. She continued to serve as an Intelligence Analyst at Joint Base San Antonio until 2016. During her service she deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.\r\n‍\r\nUpon the completion of her military service, Amal continued to serve as a deployed defense contractor in support of Special Operations in East Africa and a stateside Intelligence Analyst in support of Special Operations in Africa.\r\n</p><p>During her service as both a member of the armed forces and a civilian, Amal has deployed to combat zones in the Middle East, East Africa, and provided remote support for conflicts in West Africa. She has served honorably in U.S. led operations to counter known insurgent and terrorist organizations. Amal provided direct intelligence support at the national/strategic, operational, and tactical level. She also received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University.\r\n</p>\n</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading-key-message-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-114119-2022-03-10\" 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-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>I am answering this call to serve because the United States is too sacred and amazing to let fall to pieces.</li><li>I am running to ensure prosperity and equal opportunity for all Americans. And to make my district, and all Americans, feel represented in the fight for this great country.</li><li>I love this country so much, and I will fight for her like I have all my life.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading1-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-114119-2022-03-10\" 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=\"heading1-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-114119-2022-03-10\" 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\tNational security, improving education, defending our communities and families, protection for our elections' security, and defending our military and intelligence communities.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading2-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-114119-2022-03-10\" 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=\"heading2-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-114119-2022-03-10\" 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\tJames Madison; my favorite quote of his is \"As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.\"\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading3-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-114119-2022-03-10\" 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\tHonesty. Selflessness. A call to servitude.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading4-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-114119-2022-03-10\" 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=\"heading4-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-114119-2022-03-10\" 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\tTo represent the views and wills of their constituents.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading5-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-114119-2022-03-10\" 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 want to leave a legacy as a unifier and de-corrupter of Maryland, as well as the U.S. House of Representatives.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading6-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-114119-2022-03-10\" 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=\"heading6-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-114119-2022-03-10\" 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\tIn the late 90s', I fled war-torn Somalia to come to the USA with my mother and my sisters. I remember how coming to America was such a light feeling of opportunity compared to back in Somalia where I had considerable less rights and saw violence.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading7-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-114119-2022-03-10\" 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 something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-114119-2022-03-10\" 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\tImmigrating from a country torn apart from conflict and being deployed to to Afghanistan as part of the US military are two of the hardest things I've ever had to do.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading8-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-114119-2022-03-10\" 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=\"heading8-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-114119-2022-03-10\" 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 pro-term limits to keep people from making a career in politics.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-114119-2022-03-10\" id=\"heading9-114119-2022-03-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-114119-2022-03-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-114119-2022-03-10\" 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 compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-114119-2022-03-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-114119-2022-03-10\" 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\tDestroying the partisan divide and coming together to put our families and communities first is a top priority of mine. This indefinitely will require some level of compromise to come to the best possible solution.\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 id=\"div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0\"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(\"div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0\"); });</script></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nAmal Torres completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torres' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Amal Torres was born in Mogadishu, Somalia. She came to the United States with her mother and siblings in the late 90s fleeing from the civil war in Somalia. ‍\r\nGrowing up in a poor household, Amal was raised by a strong and unrelenting single mother who strived to instill the values of hard work and integrity from a young age.\r\n‍\r\nShe enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in the middle of her undergraduate studies due to the 2008 financial crash. As a part of her initial military training, Amal studied Arabic at the Defense Language Institute. She continued to serve as an Intelligence Analyst at Joint Base San Antonio until 2016. During her service she deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.\r\n‍\r\nUpon the completion of her military service, Amal continued to serve as a deployed defense contractor in support of Special Operations in East Africa and a stateside Intelligence Analyst in support of Special Operations in Africa. During her service as both a member of the armed forces and a civilian, Amal has deployed to combat zones in the Middle East, East Africa, and provided remote support for conflicts in West Africa. She has served honorably in U.S. led operations to counter known insurgent and terrorist organizations. Amal provided direct intelligence support at the national/strategic, operational, and tactical level. She also received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University. 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? I am answering this call to serve because the United States is too sacred and amazing to let fall to pieces. I am running to ensure prosperity and equal opportunity for all Americans. And to make my district, and all Americans, feel represented in the fight for this great country. I love this country so much, and I will fight for her like I have all my life. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? National security, improving education, defending our communities and families, protection for our elections' security, and defending our military and intelligence communities. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? James Madison; my favorite quote of his is \"As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.\" What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Honesty. Selflessness. A call to servitude. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? To represent the views and wills of their constituents. What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy as a unifier and de-corrupter of Maryland, as well as the U.S. House of Representatives. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? In the late 90s', I fled war-torn Somalia to come to the USA with my mother and my sisters. I remember how coming to America was such a light feeling of opportunity compared to back in Somalia where I had considerable less rights and saw violence. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? Immigrating from a country torn apart from conflict and being deployed to to Afghanistan as part of the US military are two of the hardest things I've ever had to do. What are your thoughts on term limits? I am pro-term limits to keep people from making a career in politics. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Destroying the partisan divide and coming together to put our families and communities first is a top priority of mine. This indefinitely will require some level of compromise to come to the best possible solution.\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."}]