Christopher Eddy

[{"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>Christopher Eddy completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Eddy'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-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading-bio-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-182873-2023-04-08\" 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-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tI am a retired Air Force Brigadier General and a retired FBI leader with over 30 years of government experience. I am also a City Commissioner in Weston, FL and was elected with the most votes in City History, despite being in a 3-person race.\r\n<p>I wrote and still teach the #1 ranked course at Florida International University's Masters of Arts in Global Affairs program, a Top 40 worldwide program, and won Course of the Year two years in a row. I am an Adjunct Professor at FIU and Eastern Kentucky University, writing and teaching both in-person and online national security, foreign policy, and intelligence courses.\r\n</p><p>I received five Air Force Reserve Intelligence Office of the Year awards at different levels of command and spent a significant portion of my years overseas.\r\n</p><p>In the FBI, I led a team of 160 intelligence experts and built the #1 rated intelligence program out of 56 in the FBI.\r\n</p><p><br/>\n</p>\nMy wife, Anne, a retired FBI Special Agent, and I reside in Weston, Florida with our two phenomenal teenage children, Ryan and Megan.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading-key-message-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-182873-2023-04-08\" 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-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Civility: For too long, both sides in DC have spent time bickering, calling each other names, and forgetting why they were elected in the first place. I am running my campaign, and my political life, like I have my previous campaign and professional career...with civility, honor, and integrity.</li><li>Fiscal Discipline: Our country spends nearly $400 billion annually on interest to the growing debt, more than it spends on our veterans. Both Democrats and Republicans are to blame and both keep kicking the can down the road with no desire to even think about living within their means. Cities and states have to live within their budgets but the federal government just keeps growing. If the federal government just reduced its spending to 2019 levels, the budget would be balanced.</li><li>Security: With the crime rate growing in many cities (but thankfully not in our city of Weston, FL due to a focus on security), Americans are becoming more fearful of their future. In Mar 2023, 85% thought their country was on the wrong track and patriotism, trust in government, and believing in a higher power were all at historical lows. The American people deserve economic, border, educational, and financial security.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading1-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-182873-2023-04-08\" 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=\"heading1-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tFiscal matters; security; environmental\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading2-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tI tend to look up to regular people who make something more of themselves than what was expected. This includes two of the wealthiest people I personally know who never graduated high school but were extremely successful in different areas of their lives.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading3-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tWell, I love my own books (The Hidden Secrets of Leadership Found in Movie Quotes and the Hidden Secrets of Leadership Found in Song Lyrics) but the ones which influence me when I was younger were Think and Grow Rich, How to Win Friends and Influence People, and the Official Guide to Success. Most recently, Peter Schweizer's book, \"Secret Empires,\" opened my eyes on the gaps in the law to influence our politicians. Foreign entities pay politicians' family members (on both sides) for influence. I've already told my teenage kids they are on their own! No family members will be on the campaign or House payroll.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading4-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tHonesty, ethical, trustworthy, and ability to communicate across all levels.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading5-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tHonesty, ethical, trustworthy, and ability to communicate across all levels.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading6-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tHonesty, ethical, trustworthy, and ability to communicate across all levels.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading7-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tFor my children to live exemplary lives.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading8-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat 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=\"heading8-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tI remember the moon landing (even though I was 5 years old) but mostly because I was upset the after school cartoons were preempted! \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading9-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tWorked at concession stands throughout high school and had several college jobs to help pay my own way through. My first full-time job was as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force (although I also worked side jobs).\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading10-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tThe Official Guide to Success by Tommy Hopkins. I read it at a pivotal moment in my life and it taught me how to structure and achieve my goals.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading11-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tThree Favorite Colors by Lo Cash\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading12-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tSince I'm inherently an introvert, it's sometimes difficult putting myself out there to improve society.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading13-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat 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=\"heading13-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tIt's responsiveness to the American public and, even with its occasional disfunction, it does serve as a model for other nations.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading14-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\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=\"heading14-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tNo.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading15-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat 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=\"heading15-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tThe rise of China and that nation's increasing willingness and ability to blatantly steal our intellectual property and secrets with absolutely no consequences is our largest challenge. The US has been turning a blind eye to China's despicable human rights and intellectual property theft for far too long.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading16-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tNo. I would prefer it be lengthened to 4 or 6 years with term limits imposed.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading17-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tI'm in favor of them but am realistic to know politicians won't vote themselves out of a job and will continue to tell themselves there are term limit options every election. As a former Citizen Soldier, I think the political model should follow the same logic. You get called to do a job, you do it, and then you go back to your life.<br/><br/>\r\nI know many politicians convince themselves they are indispensable and nobody else could replace them because of their experience, connections, or committee assignments but they are certainly mistaken.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading18-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tNo. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading19-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tI am the grandson of immigrants who came to this country to build a better life for their family. They instilled in all of us the value of education and my parents and all 5 of us kids obtained Masters degrees and my sister and I have PhDs. I love hearing the stories of immigrant families who come here seeking a better life for their families, despite not speaking the language and having few resources. I used to work part-time at a Pizza Hut as a night manager and several of my team members were immigrants. One in particular, a delivery driver and cleaner on my staff, was from Russia. When I asked what he did in Russia, he said he was an engineer but came here to provide opportunity for his children. It reinforced to me the attraction of our great country and the work ethic of individuals willing to sacrifice for their family's well-being.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading20-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tTell us your favorite joke.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading20-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tAn atom walks into a bar and the bartender says, \"You can't be in here, split.\" The End.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading21-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse21-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading21-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse21-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tIt's the only way.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading22-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse22-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tThe Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading22-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse22-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tMembers of Congress have nobody to blame but themselves when it comes to our national debt and deficit. This country does not have a revenue problem and every politician who says we need to tax the rich, either out of fairness or to pay for another failed program, is misleading the public. This nation has a spending problem. If we just reverted back to our budgetary outlays from 2019, we would have a balanced budget. We can't go on at our current spending rate without impacting our ability to fund our priorities, including maintaining our promises to our seniors and veterans.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading23-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse23-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading23-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse23-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tUnfortunately, the House has used its powers for political purposes for the past several administrations, and that includes \"investigating\" Vice President H.W. Bush for flying in a SR-71 to participate in secret negotiations with Iran. The House should focus on malfeasance and abuse of power in government agencies, which have much more power and influence with the public than the House does.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-182873-2023-04-08\" id=\"heading24-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse24-182873-2023-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-182873-2023-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading24-182873-2023-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse24-182873-2023-04-08\" 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\tSeveral local individuals but it's too early to have organizational endorsements. \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\nChristopher Eddy completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Eddy's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a retired Air Force Brigadier General and a retired FBI leader with over 30 years of government experience. I am also a City Commissioner in Weston, FL and was elected with the most votes in City History, despite being in a 3-person race. I wrote and still teach the #1 ranked course at Florida International University's Masters of Arts in Global Affairs program, a Top 40 worldwide program, and won Course of the Year two years in a row. I am an Adjunct Professor at FIU and Eastern Kentucky University, writing and teaching both in-person and online national security, foreign policy, and intelligence courses. I received five Air Force Reserve Intelligence Office of the Year awards at different levels of command and spent a significant portion of my years overseas. In the FBI, I led a team of 160 intelligence experts and built the #1 rated intelligence program out of 56 in the FBI. My wife, Anne, a retired FBI Special Agent, and I reside in Weston, Florida with our two phenomenal teenage children, Ryan and Megan. 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? Civility: For too long, both sides in DC have spent time bickering, calling each other names, and forgetting why they were elected in the first place. I am running my campaign, and my political life, like I have my previous campaign and professional career...with civility, honor, and integrity. Fiscal Discipline: Our country spends nearly $400 billion annually on interest to the growing debt, more than it spends on our veterans. Both Democrats and Republicans are to blame and both keep kicking the can down the road with no desire to even think about living within their means. Cities and states have to live within their budgets but the federal government just keeps growing. If the federal government just reduced its spending to 2019 levels, the budget would be balanced. Security: With the crime rate growing in many cities (but thankfully not in our city of Weston, FL due to a focus on security), Americans are becoming more fearful of their future. In Mar 2023, 85% thought their country was on the wrong track and patriotism, trust in government, and believing in a higher power were all at historical lows. The American people deserve economic, border, educational, and financial security. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Fiscal matters; security; environmental Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I tend to look up to regular people who make something more of themselves than what was expected. This includes two of the wealthiest people I personally know who never graduated high school but were extremely successful in different areas of their lives. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? Well, I love my own books (The Hidden Secrets of Leadership Found in Movie Quotes and the Hidden Secrets of Leadership Found in Song Lyrics) but the ones which influence me when I was younger were Think and Grow Rich, How to Win Friends and Influence People, and the Official Guide to Success. Most recently, Peter Schweizer's book, \"Secret Empires,\" opened my eyes on the gaps in the law to influence our politicians. Foreign entities pay politicians' family members (on both sides) for influence. I've already told my teenage kids they are on their own! No family members will be on the campaign or House payroll. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Honesty, ethical, trustworthy, and ability to communicate across all levels. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? Honesty, ethical, trustworthy, and ability to communicate across all levels. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? Honesty, ethical, trustworthy, and ability to communicate across all levels. What legacy would you like to leave? For my children to live exemplary lives. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I remember the moon landing (even though I was 5 years old) but mostly because I was upset the after school cartoons were preempted! What was your very first job? How long did you have it? Worked at concession stands throughout high school and had several college jobs to help pay my own way through. My first full-time job was as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force (although I also worked side jobs). What is your favorite book? Why? The Official Guide to Success by Tommy Hopkins. I read it at a pivotal moment in my life and it taught me how to structure and achieve my goals. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? Three Favorite Colors by Lo Cash What is something that has been a struggle in your life? Since I'm inherently an introvert, it's sometimes difficult putting myself out there to improve society. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? It's responsiveness to the American public and, even with its occasional disfunction, it does serve as a model for other nations. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? No. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? The rise of China and that nation's increasing willingness and ability to blatantly steal our intellectual property and secrets with absolutely no consequences is our largest challenge. The US has been turning a blind eye to China's despicable human rights and intellectual property theft for far too long. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? No. I would prefer it be lengthened to 4 or 6 years with term limits imposed. What are your thoughts on term limits? I'm in favor of them but am realistic to know politicians won't vote themselves out of a job and will continue to tell themselves there are term limit options every election. As a former Citizen Soldier, I think the political model should follow the same logic. You get called to do a job, you do it, and then you go back to your life. I know many politicians convince themselves they are indispensable and nobody else could replace them because of their experience, connections, or committee assignments but they are certainly mistaken. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? No. Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful? I am the grandson of immigrants who came to this country to build a better life for their family. They instilled in all of us the value of education and my parents and all 5 of us kids obtained Masters degrees and my sister and I have PhDs. I love hearing the stories of immigrant families who come here seeking a better life for their families, despite not speaking the language and having few resources. I used to work part-time at a Pizza Hut as a night manager and several of my team members were immigrants. One in particular, a delivery driver and cleaner on my staff, was from Russia. When I asked what he did in Russia, he said he was an engineer but came here to provide opportunity for his children. It reinforced to me the attraction of our great country and the work ethic of individuals willing to sacrifice for their family's well-being. Tell us your favorite joke. An atom walks into a bar and the bartender says, \"You can't be in here, split.\" The End. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? It's the only way. The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected? Members of Congress have nobody to blame but themselves when it comes to our national debt and deficit. This country does not have a revenue problem and every politician who says we need to tax the rich, either out of fairness or to pay for another failed program, is misleading the public. This nation has a spending problem. If we just reverted back to our budgetary outlays from 2019, we would have a balanced budget. We can't go on at our current spending rate without impacting our ability to fund our priorities, including maintaining our promises to our seniors and veterans. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? Unfortunately, the House has used its powers for political purposes for the past several administrations, and that includes \"investigating\" Vice President H.W. Bush for flying in a SR-71 to participate in secret negotiations with Iran. The House should focus on malfeasance and abuse of power in government agencies, which have much more power and influence with the public than the House does. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? Several local individuals but it's too early to have organizational endorsements.\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>Eddy'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>#1: Fiscal Discipline</b>\n</p>\n<ul><li>Do you have $103,000 to spare? Well, that’s your share of the national debt (it was $94,000 when I started campaigning). That rises to nearly $300,000 if you’re a taxpayer. What’s it going to be for your kids when they’re older? The federal government currently pays $131 million per day in interest on the debt. With interest rates increasing and no progress on living within our means, that daily interest will soar soon.</li>\n<li>Unfortunately, the last several administrations had no concern for living within their means. There was always an emergency and somehow, no one planned for them. Financial consultants recommend we all keep 3 months of income for emergencies but why can’t the federal government follow that simple guidance? Why do states have to balance their budgets annually but the federal government can continue on its yearly binge?</li>\n<li>In 2023, the interest payment on the national debt was $800 billion and that’s only going up every year, especially with interest rates rising. (<a class=\"external free\" href=\"https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/national-debt/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/national-debt/</a>) (<a class=\"external free\" href=\"https://mail.usdebtclock.org/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https://mail.usdebtclock.org/</a>)</li>\n<li>The Debt Ceiling Law is a joke. Every year, Congress increases it so the US doesn’t default on its obligations. That’s like saying to your credit card company, if you don’t raise my credit limit, I may not pay you back.</li></ul>\n<p>WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATION’S SOLUTION?\n</p>\n<ul><li>US Spending (<a class=\"external free\" href=\"https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/federal-spending/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/federal-spending/</a>):\n<ul><li>2019 $5.14T</li>\n<li>2022 $6.27T</li></ul></li>\n<li>The US is in financial trouble. Even the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget stated, “to achieve balance within a decade, all spending would need to be cut by roughly one-quarter and that the necessary cuts would grow to 85 percent if defense, veterans, Social Security, and Medicare spending were off the table.”</li>\n<li>First, we need to stabilize the debt as a share of the overall economy, aiming for 2% of GDP. The debt to GDP ratio was 123% in 2022! This is not sustainable. Even during the height of WWII, it never topped 114%.</li></ul>\n<p><b>#2: Security</b>\n</p>\n<ul><li>Our nation is built on laws….in fact, it would be chaos without them. Then why do some people insist on either not enforcing the laws or codifying new ones which favor the criminals over the victims and law enforcement?</li>\n<li>My wife and I spent our entire careers in law enforcement and protecting our citizens. We don’t want any special thanks for it. We both enjoyed it and would do it again if we could.</li>\n<li><b>Law Enforcement</b>: We need to support those who defend us. Nobody wants to work where they are not appreciated and our first responders are no different.</li>\n<li><b>Immigration</b>\n<ul><li>Did you know in CY2021 and CY2022, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered over 2 million illegal immigrants (Broward’s population is under 2 million). That’s 6,000 illegal immigrants a day…and those are just ones they encountered! How about the others which slipped through? (<a class=\"external free\" href=\"https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-land-border-encounters\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-land-border-encounters</a>)\n<ul><li>CY2022 2,090,687 (thru Oct 2022)</li>\n<li>CY2021 2,035,585</li>\n<li>CY2020 547,777</li></ul></li></ul></li>\n<li>People wrongly conflate immigration with illegal immigration. As a grandson of Lebanese immigrants, I recognize the importance of America being the “Beacon on a Hill” and attracting talented individuals to come to our great country. Our immigration system has been broken for a long time. The past few presidents have tried to remedy it, but partisan politics stood in the way.</li>\n<li>Illegal immigration is not only against the law, it’s unfair to those who try to navigate the current cumbersome process of legally entering into our country. I just saw a documentary about immigrants who work at a US flag making company and one Iraqi waited 12 years for his paperwork to be completed. It’s easy to feel sorry for others but it’s harder to do something about it to improve their lives. Promoting democratic ideals and building capitalism worldwide is the quickest and surest way to provide incentives to people to help their own countries first.</li>\n<li>An open border is not the solution. Since President Biden was inaugurated, CBP encountered over 10 million illegal immigrants. Did you know?\n<ul><li>Unlike citizens and residents, they weren’t checked for viruses, including COVID</li>\n<li>Unlike citizens and residents, they weren’t mandated to have vaccines</li>\n<li>They were largely unvetted</li>\n<li>They also get free school, free emergency medical care, and can sign up for public benefits…again jumping to the head of the line.</li></ul></li></ul>\n<ul><li>Support For Israel:\n<ul><li>Chris was recognized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) for his “unwavering support of Israel” and for “fostering a strong relationship with Israel.”</li>\n<li>He has spoken with Jewish community leaders throughout the District and attended several events to demonstrate the community’s resolve in these uncertain times.</li>\n<li>The administration’s efforts at micromanaging another nation’s war effort are a huge boost to Hamas, Hizballah, and Iran.</li>\n<li>The billions of dollars given to these groups emboldened them to strike Israel and reinforced their stance that Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth.</li>\n<li>President Biden “paused” weapons deliveries, threatening to withhold much-needed munitions to our strongest ally and the only democracy in the Mideast, Israel, if it continued its offensive against Hamas.</li></ul></li></ul>\n<p>Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz failed to join the 16 other Democrats voting in support of forcing the Biden administration to send weapons to Israel. \n</p><p>WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATION’S SOLUTION?\n</p><p><b>My Proposal</b>: I will help forge common ground to provide a secure, safe, and practical immigration system which also attempts to attract the best and brightest to our great nation. But first, we need to stop the bleeding.\n</p><p><b>#3: Civility</b>\n</p>\n<ul><li>Do you ever look at some of our politicians and ask yourself if this is the best we can do as a nation? There are some who blatantly lie and aren’t held accountable. Why is that?</li>\n<li>It’s a privilege to be elected to office and officeholders need to remember that.</li>\n<li>There is enough negativity in the world without our own politicians adding to it.</li>\n<li>Of course, politicians need to be held to a higher standard. I will promise you now my children will not be on my campaign or Congressional payroll.</li>\n<li>I will not add to the negativity by demeaning anyone personally for their beliefs. We can disagree on policy solutions but we can be civil about it.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_2-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-2\">[2]</a></sup></li></ul>\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;\">—Christopher Eddy's campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-3\"><a href=\"#cite_note-3\">[3]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>", "answer_text": "Eddy's campaign website stated the following:\n“ #1: Fiscal Discipline Do you have $103,000 to spare? Well, that’s your share of the national debt (it was $94,000 when I started campaigning). That rises to nearly $300,000 if you’re a taxpayer. What’s it going to be for your kids when they’re older? The federal government currently pays $131 million per day in interest on the debt. With interest rates increasing and no progress on living within our means, that daily interest will soar soon. Unfortunately, the last several administrations had no concern for living within their means. There was always an emergency and somehow, no one planned for them. Financial consultants recommend we all keep 3 months of income for emergencies but why can’t the federal government follow that simple guidance? Why do states have to balance their budgets annually but the federal government can continue on its yearly binge? In 2023, the interest payment on the national debt was $800 billion and that’s only going up every year, especially with interest rates rising. ( https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/national-debt/ ) ( https://mail.usdebtclock.org/ ) The Debt Ceiling Law is a joke. Every year, Congress increases it so the US doesn’t default on its obligations. That’s like saying to your credit card company, if you don’t raise my credit limit, I may not pay you back. WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATION’S SOLUTION? US Spending ( https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/federal-spending/ ): 2019 $5.14T 2022 $6.27T The US is in financial trouble. Even the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget stated, “to achieve balance within a decade, all spending would need to be cut by roughly one-quarter and that the necessary cuts would grow to 85 percent if defense, veterans, Social Security, and Medicare spending were off the table.” First, we need to stabilize the debt as a share of the overall economy, aiming for 2% of GDP. The debt to GDP ratio was 123% in 2022! This is not sustainable. Even during the height of WWII, it never topped 114%. #2: Security Our nation is built on laws….in fact, it would be chaos without them. Then why do some people insist on either not enforcing the laws or codifying new ones which favor the criminals over the victims and law enforcement? My wife and I spent our entire careers in law enforcement and protecting our citizens. We don’t want any special thanks for it. We both enjoyed it and would do it again if we could. Law Enforcement : We need to support those who defend us. Nobody wants to work where they are not appreciated and our first responders are no different. Immigration Did you know in CY2021 and CY2022, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered over 2 million illegal immigrants (Broward’s population is under 2 million). That’s 6,000 illegal immigrants a day…and those are just ones they encountered! How about the others which slipped through? ( https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-land-border-encounters ) CY2022 2,090,687 (thru Oct 2022) CY2021 2,035,585 CY2020 547,777 People wrongly conflate immigration with illegal immigration. As a grandson of Lebanese immigrants, I recognize the importance of America being the “Beacon on a Hill” and attracting talented individuals to come to our great country. Our immigration system has been broken for a long time. The past few presidents have tried to remedy it, but partisan politics stood in the way. Illegal immigration is not only against the law, it’s unfair to those who try to navigate the current cumbersome process of legally entering into our country. I just saw a documentary about immigrants who work at a US flag making company and one Iraqi waited 12 years for his paperwork to be completed. It’s easy to feel sorry for others but it’s harder to do something about it to improve their lives. Promoting democratic ideals and building capitalism worldwide is the quickest and surest way to provide incentives to people to help their own countries first. An open border is not the solution. Since President Biden was inaugurated, CBP encountered over 10 million illegal immigrants. Did you know? Unlike citizens and residents, they weren’t checked for viruses, including COVID Unlike citizens and residents, they weren’t mandated to have vaccines They were largely unvetted They also get free school, free emergency medical care, and can sign up for public benefits…again jumping to the head of the line. Support For Israel: Chris was recognized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) for his “unwavering support of Israel” and for “fostering a strong relationship with Israel.” He has spoken with Jewish community leaders throughout the District and attended several events to demonstrate the community’s resolve in these uncertain times. The administration’s efforts at micromanaging another nation’s war effort are a huge boost to Hamas, Hizballah, and Iran. The billions of dollars given to these groups emboldened them to strike Israel and reinforced their stance that Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth. President Biden “paused” weapons deliveries, threatening to withhold much-needed munitions to our strongest ally and the only democracy in the Mideast, Israel, if it continued its offensive against Hamas. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz failed to join the 16 other Democrats voting in support of forcing the Biden administration to send weapons to Israel. WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATION’S SOLUTION? My Proposal : I will help forge common ground to provide a secure, safe, and practical immigration system which also attempts to attract the best and brightest to our great nation. But first, we need to stop the bleeding. #3: Civility Do you ever look at some of our politicians and ask yourself if this is the best we can do as a nation? There are some who blatantly lie and aren’t held accountable. Why is that? It’s a privilege to be elected to office and officeholders need to remember that. There is enough negativity in the world without our own politicians adding to it. Of course, politicians need to be held to a higher standard. I will promise you now my children will not be on my campaign or Congressional payroll. I will not add to the negativity by demeaning anyone personally for their beliefs. We can disagree on policy solutions but we can be civil about it. [2] ” —Christopher Eddy's campaign website (2024) [3]"}]