Nathaniel Alan Hawkins

[{"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>Nathaniel Hawkins 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 Hawkins' 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-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading-bio-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-203534-2023-12-02\" 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-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy name is Nathaniel Hawkins and I am from Cleves, Ohio. I am the oldest of 4 children. I am a graduate of Taylor High School in the Three Rivers Local School District. During this time, I was honored to serve as the first person of color in over 100 years of our school's history to serve as Student Body President. Two weeks before I graduated high school, my youngest sibling Brandon suffered an anoxic brain injury. By a miracle, my brother awoke from his coma a month before I had to leave for college for the first time. However, he could no longer speak, walk, or even use the bathroom without the assistance of a catheter and a colostomy bag. After spending my first year of college three hours away from my family pursuing an International Business degree at Ohio University, I decided to transfer to the University of Cincinnati and come home to help with my brother’s care. During my time in college, I was honored to serve as the chapter president of my fraternity Phi Gamma Delta. After several years of being in the business of managing fitness facilities, I started my current job at Cincinnati Children's Hospital almost two years ago. Working here gives me the ability to help other families with sick children. On September 11, 2022, I became a father for the first time with my son Ezra Parker James Hawkins being born. Being a father is the greatest gift I will ever receive. I see the world my son is going to grow up in and I want better for him and every child.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading-key-message-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-203534-2023-12-02\" 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-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Ohio needs common sense gun legislation.</li><li>We must protect women's reproductive rights from out of touch politicians.</li><li>We must empower workers and provide them with living wages.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading1-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading1-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 personally passionate about several areas of policy. In the age of school shootings and other mass shooting attacks, as a father, I dread the day that I have to put my son in school. I think about the thought that any crazy person with a gun could come and harm him. Many law-abiding citizens own firearms in Ohio. However, some people should never get their hands on any firearm, and we need legislation to protect Ohioans and our children from these dangerous individuals. I also feel strongly about women's reproductive rights. As a man, it might not seem like I should have a reason to care as much as I do about abortion. However, when I sit down and think about the reasons why I should care, I find many. I am the fiancé of a beautiful woman, brother to two wonderful sisters, and son of an amazing mother. All are women whom I would want to have access to an abortion if their lives depended on it. Furthermore, they should be able to have an abortion if they choose to because it’s their choice and their choice alone. Watching women have their rights stripped away should scare all of us because if it happens to one group of people, it can happen to all of us. Making sure that people have the right to a living wage is also of paramount importance to me. Growing up in a union household, I understood early on that every American deserves to work with dignity, be free from harm in the workplace, and be fairly compensated for their time spent away from their families.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading2-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading2-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 look up to my parents the most. They have both spent their lives in the service of their country and their communities. Our country, its democracy, and its promise of a better life are all things that my family holds dear. My father is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a 25-year veteran of the Cincinnati Fire Department. My mother has worked in healthcare for nearly 30 years. First for Group Health Associates and then for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where my sister Aryel and I now work. Because of my upbringing, wanting to help people has always come as second nature to me. I’m a Hawkins, it’s just what we do. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading3-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading3-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-203534-2023-12-02\" 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\tComing from a family whose origins trace back to being slaves on a sugar plantation in St. Charles Parish, New Orleans, Louisiana, I have always been profoundly motivated by the idea of freedom and the pursuit of justice. Two movies that are great watches and highlight the complexity and struggles of people of color and our pursuit of equality are 12 Years a Slave and Selma. Both of these movies provide a snapshot of what our ancestors endured and persevered through to achieve their freedom so that their descendants may have a better life than they did. I watch these and it serves as a stark reminder for me how blessed we are to be here today and the pain and sacrifices that were endured for us. It fills me with a sense of extreme pride and appreciation for those who came before us. These feelings also push me to keep fighting for the forward march of progress, too much has been sacrificed for us to just so easily say \"We give up\". We must continue to fight for our rights and to safeguard our children's futures.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading4-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading4-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 most important characteristics of an elected official are honesty, selflessness, and dependability. All three qualities are things I believe Ohio's 8th Congressional District desperately needs in our Representatives that we currently do not have. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading5-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading5-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 find that my ability to listen to others has served me well in being able to help others in their times of need. Service has always been at the center of my convictions, and I have always wanted nothing but to help others. In the past, whether it was on the field playing a sport or running a business, I have been called a selfless leader who gets gratitude out of being able to help his teammates and employees. I am seeking to use my ability to help others to help the families of Ohio's 8th Congressional District. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading6-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading6-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe core responsibility of someone elected to this office is to help the people that they serve and their families. Current representatives have consistently voted against any legislation that would help Ohio families by any considerable measure. Ohio families need someone to fight for them, not sell them out to private interests. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading7-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading7-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 of service and progressive change. I want to be able to make a positive difference in the lives of Americans and to ensure a brighter future for the future generations of citizens of this great nation. Most importantly, I wat to leave a legacy that my son and my family can be proud of. I want them to know that I did everything in my power to try to make a difference. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading8-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading8-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 was almost four years old, and my very first vivid memory is of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The day that would eventually become my son’s birthday. Due to my not understanding the situation and my father being a firefighter, I was naturally terrified that he was one of the people on TV running into the burning buildings with airplanes crashing into them to save the people inside. It was the first time I remember feeling true fear. On a more positive note, the next truly historical event that I remember is the 2008 Presidential Election and watching President Barack Obama be sworn in as the first person of color to serve as President of the United States. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading9-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading9-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy very first job was cutting grass in high school through college. It provided me with networking skills and my entrepreneurial spirit. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading10-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading10-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy favorite book is Night by Elie Wiesel. The book is based on his Holocaust experiences with his father in the Nazi German concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald in 1944–1945, toward the end of the Second World War in Europe. I read this book in the 8th grade as part of our Holocaust project, and it was truly eye-opening to read about the atrocities that were being committed not very many decades before I was born. It was another book that gave me a deeper appreciation of the human spirit and its ability to survive. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading11-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 huge Star Wars fan and I have a deep admiration for Luke Skywalker. I think I'd want to be him. He took on the evil Empire at the young age of 19 and went on to become the greatest Grand Master the Jedi Order had ever seen. His life is full of lessons and cautionary tales, but most importantly Luke teaches us to never give up hope even when all seems lost. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading12-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading12-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-203534-2023-12-02\" 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\tOcean Avenue by Yellowcard.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading13-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading13-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-203534-2023-12-02\" 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\tSomething that has been a struggle in my life was being raised in a single-parent household with my siblings. Being the oldest, I shouldered many responsibilities from the young age of 10. Having experience with this type of responsibility prepared me well for my adult life as well as prepared me to become a father eventually. Having my youngest brother suffer a brain injury and become a quadriplegic was another great challenge in my life and that of my family. Being a caregiver is not something that you truly understand until you have to do it for a loved one. There are millions of families who have sick or afflicted loved ones with differences and disabilities who desperately need help due to America's dilapidated healthcare system. Without being a caregiver myself I would not have the experience to understand exactly how our healthcare system is failing millions of Americans. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading14-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading14-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 U.S. House of Representatives is unique amongst our government's institutions because the election for its representatives happens every two years. Which in theory, should make the U.S. House the most reactive body in our government to act according to its people's needs. As in the case of Ohio, we citizens made our voices heard and passed OH Issue 1 in November giving women back their right to make their own reproductive health decisions. Yet many current representatives for the state of Ohio would vote for a national abortion ban if it came to a vote on the house floor. We need new leadership who puts their constituents first and private interests second. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading15-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading15-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 don't necessarily think that is true. Look at all of the problems modern Americans are struggling with. Having people in elected positions with prior government experience has not stopped Ohio families from suffering many hardships. Above all, we need representatives who have experienced the issues that their constituents are facing. Most Americans are not corporate CEOs, millionaires, or career politicians. We should not be letting the most privileged class in society guide policy and write laws that affect the most vulnerable among us.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading16-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading16-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 perceive the United States' next greatest challenge to be the rising cost of global inflation. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading17-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading17-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 do believe two years is the correct term length in order to make the Representatives as responsive as possible to American citizen's needs. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading18-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading18-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-203534-2023-12-02\" 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\tTerm limits are desperately needed in the United States to cut the corruption out of politics and to stop people from accumulating too much power and authority. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading19-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading19-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-203534-2023-12-02\" 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\tBeing a person of color born and raised in Ohio, growing up I tended to be very intrigued by the men and women of previous generations who have come from Ohio and went on to make a difference in our country and their communities. Louis Stokes is the first person who comes to mind. He was the first African American congressman elected in the state of Ohio and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He helped lead our country through troubling times and was a fierce opponent of corruption in our government. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading20-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading20-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 was in Darke County for an event and to meet with potential voters and I spoke to a woman who was currently on disability. I listened to her tell me about how she was struggling to find medical facilities around where she lived and having trouble affording medications. She then hugged me and started crying because she was thankful that I was taking the time to listen to her. She is not the only person who has felt this way. Countless people and their families around Ohio feel forgotten about and left out of decision-making processes meant to help them. Ohio needs representatives who care, not representatives who refuse to take action. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading21-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse21-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading21-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse21-203534-2023-12-02\" 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\tWhen does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent. Lol. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading22-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse22-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading22-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse22-203534-2023-12-02\" 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\tCompromise is absolutely necessary. Our country was founded upon the idea that different groups of people from different backgrounds, and who hold different ideologies could come together to find a compromise that works best for the American people. We have lost the ability to talk and to work together, we must elect representatives who are willing to have difficult conversations and work across the aisle to find the best solutions possible for the issues that our country is facing today. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading23-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse23-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading23-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse23-203534-2023-12-02\" 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\tAs a Representative in Congress, I would ensure that funding and legislation are being used to help Ohio families instead of lobbyists and private interests. Our own Department of Defense has failed audit after audit. We must stop all this reckless spending that future generations will have to foot the bill for. We must ensure that American's hard-earned tax dollars are being put to use to provide families with services that will make a difference in their everyday lives. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-203534-2023-12-02\" id=\"heading24-203534-2023-12-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse24-203534-2023-12-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-203534-2023-12-02\" 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=\"heading24-203534-2023-12-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse24-203534-2023-12-02\" 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 U.S. House should use its investigative powers to stop corruption within our government and investigate the dark money that has entered and controlled our political system in the United States. \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\nNathaniel Hawkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hawkins' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. My name is Nathaniel Hawkins and I am from Cleves, Ohio. I am the oldest of 4 children. I am a graduate of Taylor High School in the Three Rivers Local School District. During this time, I was honored to serve as the first person of color in over 100 years of our school's history to serve as Student Body President. Two weeks before I graduated high school, my youngest sibling Brandon suffered an anoxic brain injury. By a miracle, my brother awoke from his coma a month before I had to leave for college for the first time. However, he could no longer speak, walk, or even use the bathroom without the assistance of a catheter and a colostomy bag. After spending my first year of college three hours away from my family pursuing an International Business degree at Ohio University, I decided to transfer to the University of Cincinnati and come home to help with my brother’s care. During my time in college, I was honored to serve as the chapter president of my fraternity Phi Gamma Delta. After several years of being in the business of managing fitness facilities, I started my current job at Cincinnati Children's Hospital almost two years ago. Working here gives me the ability to help other families with sick children. On September 11, 2022, I became a father for the first time with my son Ezra Parker James Hawkins being born. Being a father is the greatest gift I will ever receive. I see the world my son is going to grow up in and I want better for him and every child. 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? Ohio needs common sense gun legislation. We must protect women's reproductive rights from out of touch politicians. We must empower workers and provide them with living wages. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am personally passionate about several areas of policy. In the age of school shootings and other mass shooting attacks, as a father, I dread the day that I have to put my son in school. I think about the thought that any crazy person with a gun could come and harm him. Many law-abiding citizens own firearms in Ohio. However, some people should never get their hands on any firearm, and we need legislation to protect Ohioans and our children from these dangerous individuals. I also feel strongly about women's reproductive rights. As a man, it might not seem like I should have a reason to care as much as I do about abortion. However, when I sit down and think about the reasons why I should care, I find many. I am the fiancé of a beautiful woman, brother to two wonderful sisters, and son of an amazing mother. All are women whom I would want to have access to an abortion if their lives depended on it. Furthermore, they should be able to have an abortion if they choose to because it’s their choice and their choice alone. Watching women have their rights stripped away should scare all of us because if it happens to one group of people, it can happen to all of us. Making sure that people have the right to a living wage is also of paramount importance to me. Growing up in a union household, I understood early on that every American deserves to work with dignity, be free from harm in the workplace, and be fairly compensated for their time spent away from their families. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to my parents the most. They have both spent their lives in the service of their country and their communities. Our country, its democracy, and its promise of a better life are all things that my family holds dear. My father is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a 25-year veteran of the Cincinnati Fire Department. My mother has worked in healthcare for nearly 30 years. First for Group Health Associates and then for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where my sister Aryel and I now work. Because of my upbringing, wanting to help people has always come as second nature to me. I’m a Hawkins, it’s just what we do. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? Coming from a family whose origins trace back to being slaves on a sugar plantation in St. Charles Parish, New Orleans, Louisiana, I have always been profoundly motivated by the idea of freedom and the pursuit of justice. Two movies that are great watches and highlight the complexity and struggles of people of color and our pursuit of equality are 12 Years a Slave and Selma. Both of these movies provide a snapshot of what our ancestors endured and persevered through to achieve their freedom so that their descendants may have a better life than they did. I watch these and it serves as a stark reminder for me how blessed we are to be here today and the pain and sacrifices that were endured for us. It fills me with a sense of extreme pride and appreciation for those who came before us. These feelings also push me to keep fighting for the forward march of progress, too much has been sacrificed for us to just so easily say \"We give up\". We must continue to fight for our rights and to safeguard our children's futures. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? The most important characteristics of an elected official are honesty, selflessness, and dependability. All three qualities are things I believe Ohio's 8th Congressional District desperately needs in our Representatives that we currently do not have. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I find that my ability to listen to others has served me well in being able to help others in their times of need. Service has always been at the center of my convictions, and I have always wanted nothing but to help others. In the past, whether it was on the field playing a sport or running a business, I have been called a selfless leader who gets gratitude out of being able to help his teammates and employees. I am seeking to use my ability to help others to help the families of Ohio's 8th Congressional District. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The core responsibility of someone elected to this office is to help the people that they serve and their families. Current representatives have consistently voted against any legislation that would help Ohio families by any considerable measure. Ohio families need someone to fight for them, not sell them out to private interests. What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy of service and progressive change. I want to be able to make a positive difference in the lives of Americans and to ensure a brighter future for the future generations of citizens of this great nation. Most importantly, I wat to leave a legacy that my son and my family can be proud of. I want them to know that I did everything in my power to try to make a difference. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I was almost four years old, and my very first vivid memory is of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The day that would eventually become my son’s birthday. Due to my not understanding the situation and my father being a firefighter, I was naturally terrified that he was one of the people on TV running into the burning buildings with airplanes crashing into them to save the people inside. It was the first time I remember feeling true fear. On a more positive note, the next truly historical event that I remember is the 2008 Presidential Election and watching President Barack Obama be sworn in as the first person of color to serve as President of the United States. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My very first job was cutting grass in high school through college. It provided me with networking skills and my entrepreneurial spirit. What is your favorite book? Why? My favorite book is Night by Elie Wiesel. The book is based on his Holocaust experiences with his father in the Nazi German concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald in 1944–1945, toward the end of the Second World War in Europe. I read this book in the 8th grade as part of our Holocaust project, and it was truly eye-opening to read about the atrocities that were being committed not very many decades before I was born. It was another book that gave me a deeper appreciation of the human spirit and its ability to survive. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? I am a huge Star Wars fan and I have a deep admiration for Luke Skywalker. I think I'd want to be him. He took on the evil Empire at the young age of 19 and went on to become the greatest Grand Master the Jedi Order had ever seen. His life is full of lessons and cautionary tales, but most importantly Luke teaches us to never give up hope even when all seems lost. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? Something that has been a struggle in my life was being raised in a single-parent household with my siblings. Being the oldest, I shouldered many responsibilities from the young age of 10. Having experience with this type of responsibility prepared me well for my adult life as well as prepared me to become a father eventually. Having my youngest brother suffer a brain injury and become a quadriplegic was another great challenge in my life and that of my family. Being a caregiver is not something that you truly understand until you have to do it for a loved one. There are millions of families who have sick or afflicted loved ones with differences and disabilities who desperately need help due to America's dilapidated healthcare system. Without being a caregiver myself I would not have the experience to understand exactly how our healthcare system is failing millions of Americans. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The U.S. House of Representatives is unique amongst our government's institutions because the election for its representatives happens every two years. Which in theory, should make the U.S. House the most reactive body in our government to act according to its people's needs. As in the case of Ohio, we citizens made our voices heard and passed OH Issue 1 in November giving women back their right to make their own reproductive health decisions. Yet many current representatives for the state of Ohio would vote for a national abortion ban if it came to a vote on the house floor. We need new leadership who puts their constituents first and private interests second. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? I don't necessarily think that is true. Look at all of the problems modern Americans are struggling with. Having people in elected positions with prior government experience has not stopped Ohio families from suffering many hardships. Above all, we need representatives who have experienced the issues that their constituents are facing. Most Americans are not corporate CEOs, millionaires, or career politicians. We should not be letting the most privileged class in society guide policy and write laws that affect the most vulnerable among us. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? I perceive the United States' next greatest challenge to be the rising cost of global inflation. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? I do believe two years is the correct term length in order to make the Representatives as responsive as possible to American citizen's needs. What are your thoughts on term limits? Term limits are desperately needed in the United States to cut the corruption out of politics and to stop people from accumulating too much power and authority. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? Being a person of color born and raised in Ohio, growing up I tended to be very intrigued by the men and women of previous generations who have come from Ohio and went on to make a difference in our country and their communities. Louis Stokes is the first person who comes to mind. He was the first African American congressman elected in the state of Ohio and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He helped lead our country through troubling times and was a fierce opponent of corruption in our government. 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 was in Darke County for an event and to meet with potential voters and I spoke to a woman who was currently on disability. I listened to her tell me about how she was struggling to find medical facilities around where she lived and having trouble affording medications. She then hugged me and started crying because she was thankful that I was taking the time to listen to her. She is not the only person who has felt this way. Countless people and their families around Ohio feel forgotten about and left out of decision-making processes meant to help them. Ohio needs representatives who care, not representatives who refuse to take action. Tell us your favorite joke. When does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent. Lol. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Compromise is absolutely necessary. Our country was founded upon the idea that different groups of people from different backgrounds, and who hold different ideologies could come together to find a compromise that works best for the American people. We have lost the ability to talk and to work together, we must elect representatives who are willing to have difficult conversations and work across the aisle to find the best solutions possible for the issues that our country is facing today. 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? As a Representative in Congress, I would ensure that funding and legislation are being used to help Ohio families instead of lobbyists and private interests. Our own Department of Defense has failed audit after audit. We must stop all this reckless spending that future generations will have to foot the bill for. We must ensure that American's hard-earned tax dollars are being put to use to provide families with services that will make a difference in their everyday lives. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? The U.S. House should use its investigative powers to stop corruption within our government and investigate the dark money that has entered and controlled our political system in the United States.\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>Hawkins’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>Protect Our Democracy</b><br/>\nOur country, its democracy, and its promise of a better life are all things that my family holds dear. My father is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a 25-year veteran of the Cincinnati Fire Department. My mother has worked in healthcare for nearly 30 years. First for Group Health Associates and then for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where my sister Aryel and I now work. Because of my upbringing, wanting to help people has always come as second nature to me. I’m a Hawkins, it’s just what we do. \n</p><p>I was born on February 17, 1998. My very first vivid memory is of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The day that would eventually become my son’s birthday. Due to my not understanding the situation and my father being a firefighter, I was naturally terrified that he was one of the people on TV running into the burning buildings with airplanes crashing into them to save the people inside. It was the first time I remember feeling true fear. My generation is the generation who are currently having many firsts in our lives. We are trying to start our careers, and our own families, and struggling to buy our first homes. Since we were born, we have known nothing but terrorist attacks, war, school shootings, economic recessions, and deadly pandemics. We have not seen the prosperity, job security, or, if you ask many of our sisters, the rights that previous generations had fought hard to obtain. \n</p><p>Since 2016, we the American people have seen more assaults against our democracy than many of us could have ever imagined possible. A democracy that, since its founding, so many of my own and others’ families have fought and shed blood for so that we today may enjoy the freedoms that we have. We must all get back to speaking with and working with each other to make America a place where everyone can thrive no matter their background, religion, or skin color. Our issues are not divided into red issues and blue issues. They are all American issues, and it will require all Americans to come together to solve them. \n</p><p>I have seen that from top to bottom, our government has stopped listening to the will of its people. Every day I talk with people who are struggling to make ends meet, sometimes working multiple jobs just to pay their bills and put food on the table. This is not living, this is surviving. Lawmakers aren’t doing things to make meaningful improvements to their constituents’ lives like giving them living wages or providing universal healthcare. Voters want policies that are going to help their families get groceries or help them give their children a great education. \n</p><p>Our Representative, Warren Davidson voted to de-certify a free and fair democratic election. In doing so he blatantly ignored the will of the people of the United States of America. Warren has sworn an oath multiple times to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States, both as a soldier in the US Army and while serving in his capacity as a United States Congressman. Take away the treason that he committed against our country, what else has he done? Davidson’s campaign website stated, “In Congress, Warren will help ensure that our government functions properly, insists the needs of the 8th district are met, and demand that our values shape federal policy. Warren will fight for you!”. The truth is that our government has not functioned properly since he was elected to his seat in 2016. Warren's refusal and inability to work across the aisle to find solutions that work for the American people is a testament to his inefficiency. He even votes against bills that passed with almost unanimous support from both Democrats and Republicans alike. \n</p><p>Warren Davidson is not in Washington DC to help you and your family. He is there to help himself. Instead of passing legislation that would help the people of the 8th district, he would rather make political statements with his votes and toe party lines. Our representatives do not represent us in the sense that they are too focused on attacking marginalized groups of citizens and taking away our rights. Most Americans are not corporate CEOs, millionaires, or career politicians. We are not just numbers on a piece of paper. We have lives, families, passions, and dreams. \n</p><p>I am running for Congress because I love my country. I believe in its promise of a better life but most importantly, I believe that we can make our country a better place than it has ever been for so many people who have been undervalued and underrepresented. I implore you, to elect a candidate who cares about you and your families, elect a candidate who is dedicated to working with all Americans, despite our differences! In 2024 we tell Warren Davidson that his time holding Ohio back is over! \n</p><p><b>Common Sense Gun Regulation</b><br/>\nAs guaranteed by the Second Amendment, responsible citizens have the right to own and use firearms, however, we are amid a gun violence epidemic. I personally know many outstanding, law-abiding citizens who own a number of firearms. However, gun violence is a growing epidemic in this country. Gun deaths among children rose 50% in just two years. 2,590 kids lost their lives to firearms in 2021. Currently, in Ohio, you can purchase &amp; own a firearm with no permit, registration, or owner’s license. We have no magazine capacity restrictions or assault weapons laws on the books. \n</p><p>More than 40,000 Americans die due to gun-related deaths each year. Mass shootings and gun violence have robbed my generation of our childhoods and cut too many of our lives short. Our children and innocent bystanders are being killed every day in our communities. Too little, too late is being done to stop the violence. We must make changes now, not five to 10 years down the road with thousands of more innocent killed before we do something. Congress must act and pass sweeping gun reform that is both common sense and practical. \n</p><p>There is something wrong with our system of representation if children are dying every day and parents are begging for common sense solutions to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who have no business owning a gun. How will we respond when our children, who are being shot in their schools, ask us to protect them from harm from dangerous individuals? Until now, they have been met with half-measures, indifference, and thoughts and prayers. Parents demand that our lawmakers take protecting our children seriously. Our children depend on us and if our government will not act then we parents must force them to act. We must pass common-sense gun solutions that include: \n</p><p>-<b>More robust background checks</b><br/>\n-<b>Red Flag Laws</b> <br/>\n-<b>Require licenses &amp; permits </b><br/>\n-<b>Stop people who have committed domestic violence from purchasing firearms </b> <br/>\n-<b>Create magazine capacity restrictions </b><br/>\n-<b>Install waiting periods to obtain licenses </b><br/>\n-<b>Mental health evaluations before purchases </b><br/>\n-<b>Funding and support for local community violence intervention programs </b><br/>\n-<b>End the corruption and hold of the gun industry over legislative processes </b> <br/>\n-<b>Ensuring that U.S. courts enforce licensing revocation for gun dealers and manufacturers who break the law </b> <br/>\n</p><p>We must also invest more resources into mental health services if we are truly going to ever have a chance at curbing the amount of gun violence that we experience in America. Nearly 2/3 of all gun deaths are suicides. Making sure that there are mental health resources available for people who are in crisis and their families will make a tremendous impact. Putting into place these levers and avenues for people to get help will save lives, decrease gun violence, increase public safety, and keep more people with their loved ones. Nathaniel is committed to passing common sense gun solutions that will make a truly meaningful difference in the lives of our children and the lives of all Ohioans. \n</p><p><b>Women’s Health &amp; Reproductive Rights</b><br/>\nOn the 24th of June 2022 our Supreme Court overturned nearly 50 years of safe access to abortion, a lifesaving women’s health procedure. As a man, it might not seem like I should have a reason to care as much as I do about abortion. However, when I sit down and think about the reasons why I should care, I find many. I am the fiancé of a beautiful woman, brother to two wonderful sisters, and son of an amazing mother. All are women whom I would want to have access to an abortion if their lives depended on it. Furthermore, they should be able to have an abortion if they choose to because it’s their choice and their choice alone. \n</p><p>I am proud to say that here in Ohio, on November 7th of 2023, citizens passed a ballot measure that will enshrine the right to abortion in our state's constitution. Giving women the right over their own bodily autonomy and keeping important medical decisions between themselves and their doctors. 67% of adults from the ages of 18-34 identify as pro-choice today. Consistently, across the country, states that have taken up abortion measures on their ballots have seen that Americans are not interested in having their rights stripped away from them and having their bedrooms policed by out-of-touch (largely older, Caucasian, and male) politicians. As someone who was raised in a single-parent household by his single mother, alongside his little brother and two younger sisters, I learned long ago that no man should have a say over a woman’s body. \n</p><p>We must pass legislation codifying the rights that Roe vs. Wade had guaranteed for women for over 50 years. There are many circumstances in which the mother does not “choose” to abort their child but rather the pregnancy is not viable or risks the harm or even death of the mother herself. Women’s lives matter and our legislation on abortion should reflect the reality of abortion for what it is. The reality being that it is a deeply personal and private decision that women should be able to make safely and without fear. We must ensure that women everywhere in the United States have the right to make their own medical decisions. We took care of business here in Ohio. Now we have to take care of business in Congress. \n</p><p><b>Living Wages, Empowering Workers &amp; Economic Growth</b><br/>\nAmerican workers are working longer hours for less compensation. We have not seen the economic growth or prosperity that previous generations experienced. This is a result of a decades-long effort by special interests and out-of-touch politicians to undermine the power and security of workers. Instead of living in past fantasies of “trickle-down economics”, we must look towards the future and more progressive policies that truly work for modern America. Growing up in a union household, I understood from a young age the importance of having fair representation at the bargaining table. Workers understand the power of organized labor. Most ununionized workers say they would join a union if given the option. The statistics show that organized labor for workers means higher wages, better jobs, and stronger protections. Which in turn makes for a fairer and safer workplace. Every American deserves to work with dignity, be free from harm in the workplace, and be fairly compensated for their time spent away from their families. \n</p><p>Ohio was once a manufacturing powerhouse among other states. Even during World War II, Ohio played a major role in providing manpower, food, and munitions for the Allied Nations. The state manufactured 8.4 percent of total United States military armaments produced during the war, ranking fourth among the 48 states there currently were at the time. Bringing American manufacturing companies back to Ohio would create thousands of jobs, eliminate the supply chain issues that have proven to be fatal during a world crisis, and allow the state to regain the prominence it once had among other manufacturing powerhouse states in the country. \n</p><p>In addition to bringing back Ohio manufacturing, our government must invest in public work programs such as repairing dilapidated highways, bridges and building light rail systems. Also improving public facilities such as hospitals, schools, and recreational centers would create jobs for many Ohioans while also improving our communities. As your Representative in Congress, I am fully committed to closing the wealth gap by supporting a living wage, fighting to expand labor protections for all workers, and bringing jobs back to Ohio. \n</p><p><b>Reimagining Racial Equity &amp; Justice</b><br/>\nAs a Biracial man, attaining racial equity is a cause that is personal to me. Trying to succeed in pursuing the “American Dream” is difficult for many people. Structural inequities in our society can make this especially true for people of color. Inequities such as over-policing and lack of funding for community resources. Black people make up roughly 13 percent of the U.S. population. However, they account for an estimated 28 percent of people arrested, with Blacks and Latinos making up 57 percent of federal and state prisoners. \n</p><p>Efforts must be taken to reduce racial disparities in our justice system such as implicit bias training and bail reform policies. Some progress has been made in recent years, with prison populations dropping in most parts of the country, and racial disparities slowly narrowing, but much work remains unfinished. \n</p><p>Aside from unequal application and enforcement of the law, people of color struggle with preventable health disparities that negatively affect millions of minority Americans in the most vulnerable communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Black, Latino, and Native Americans, magnifying and adding to the persistent health inequities and unequal health burdens already borne by communities of color in the U.S. As the nation prepares for future pandemics and outbreaks, the government must keep in mind the equitable allocation of medical resources, especially early on during a national public health crisis, that is based on evidence of prioritizing vulnerable populations and reducing deaths. The impacts of systemic racism and factors such as having front-line jobs, crowded living conditions, lack of access to personal protective equipment, and the inability to work from home increase the personal risk of sickness. \n</p><p>In the last several years, the Supreme Court and courts across the country have dismantled and destroyed important aspects of the Voting Rights Act. This has opened the doors for Republicans to pass discriminatory voter suppression laws and exacerbate already glaring inequalities in our system of representation. I am committed to dismantling the legacy of racism, xenophobia, and misogyny so that all people can live with peace, security, and dignity. As a member of Congress, I will bring much-needed representation and change to the House of Representatives and shine a light on the issues that all people of color face at the hands of systemic racism and inequities. \n</p><p><b>Climate Change &amp; Environmental Justice</b><br/>\nDrought, extreme heat, rising sea levels, forest fires, and tornados across the country are threatening the safety and security of America’s future. This continuous tragic string of events is the direct consequence of negligence towards climate change policies and will only continue to grow out of control. We must begin addressing environmental justice by holding corporations accountable for reducing disproportionate environmental impacts on our communities. It is now estimated that large corporations and commercial businesses are responsible for up to 71% of the planet’s total global emissions. Until meaningful, long-lasting changes are made, natural disasters will continue to disrupt the lives of people across the entire planet. \n</p><p>We are failing future generations if we do not transition from fossil fuels to truly renewable energy sources. Advancing progressive climate policy can be made possible by supporting community solar energy projects, grid-enhancing technologies, and many other green projects. We as a nation must promote the broader use of renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectricity, geothermal, and solar power in everyday use. Not only will this save our planet, but building and operating these new green energy sectors will create thousands of jobs for American workers. \n</p><p>We owe it to future generations to control carbon pollution, reduce hazardous air pollutants, and prevent water contamination from toxic waste materials. We can set up a greener future for our country by improving and introducing new public transportation systems such as subways, trolleys, public bus lines, and electromagnetic high-speed railways. These implementations, with the help of creating new “Green Spaces” to reduce urban temperatures, will drastically improve the quality of life of the people in our communities. Together we must take the necessary measures to protect our children &amp; future generations from the deadly impact of climate change. \n</p><p><b>Universal Healthcare</b><br/>\nHealthcare has become a privilege that too few Americans can actually afford. The cost of health care is rising drastically, and the United States system of managed care has gotten between the patient and their doctors. No one should have to choose between paying for basic living expenses or necessary medical care. I believe that healthcare is a right and I will work to ensure that every American has access to the quality healthcare that they deserve. \n</p><p>The United States is the most prosperous country on the face of the planet, yet still, one of the only advanced nations in the world that fails to provide universal health care to its citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us just how cruel and irrational employer-based private insurance is, leaving millions of newly unemployed Americans without care when they need it most. Despite Americans spending more per capita on health care than anywhere else in the world, America has far worse underlying health problems, higher infant and maternal mortality, higher rates of suicide, chronic disease, and lower life expectancy because of our dilapidated healthcare system. Nearly 30 million Americans are still uninsured today in 2023. Almost one in four Americans report struggling to afford a prescription drug and medical debt is sadly the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States. \n</p><p>Health care is a human right -- and the refusal of the United States to fulfill this basic need for millions in our country is a failure of leadership and basic humanity of the highest order. I believe in passing the Medicare For All Act to guarantee health care to all people living in the United States or another Act like it. It’s long past time to take the for-profit motive out of our healthcare system and ensure that every person has access to the care and treatment they deserve. Failing to stop Big Pharma from working over American families is a public health crisis that is being caused by the greed &amp; ignorance of pharmaceuticals, lobbyists, and politicians who were swayed to remove obstacles so they could make trillions of dollars. \n</p><p>Congress must act to stop price-gouging in the prescription drug market and require the expansion of the already ongoing negotiation of drug prices between pharmaceutical companies and the federal government to cover more medications. Requiring health agencies to issue annual reports on how they've reduced administrative burdens and eased program enrollment processes, including thorough measures such as: streamlining applications, reducing unnecessary paperwork for social programs, reevaluating work requirements, and reducing the frequency and difficulty of recertification requirements. Taking these actions while also ensuring robust competition in the American pharmaceutical marketplace and instituting much-needed safeguards to prevent lifesaving drugs from being removed from the market is a duty we have to the citizens of this great country. \n</p><p><b>LGBTQ+ Advocacy</b><br/>\nSince 2018 more than 600 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been filed, with almost every state legislature weighing at least one bill. That’s with nearly 8/10 Americans supporting passing legislation that would protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination in jobs, housing, and public accommodations. As the older brother of two sisters who identify as LQBTQ+, I have witnessed the harassment and hatred that people, including my own sisters, have experienced for simply being who they were and existing. \n</p><p>Nearly half of Trans and non-binary youth in the U.S. seriously considered suicide in the past year and 24% of youth in the LGBTQ+ community reported being physically threatened or harmed. We must protect our students and children of the LGBTQ+ community from targeted persecution from their legislators and school boards who should be advocating for them. It is of the utmost importance that the LGBTQ+ community have the same rights, protections, and freedoms that all Americans are entitled to. \n</p><p><b>Disability Care &amp; Access</b><br/>\nThere is no one closer to me than my family. My siblings and I were raised to love one another deeply and to advocate for each other fiercely. Our whole lives we have been each other’s best friends and greatest protectors. We never had much, but we had each other. Not once did I feel completely helpless to either help or protect my siblings. \n</p><p>That was until two weeks before I graduated high school. My little brother Brandon, who was twelve at the time, suffered an anoxic brain injury. Later we would come to find out it was a Chiari Malformation. The doctors pulled my parents, sisters, and me into a small room with couches and chairs. They sat us down and said that my brother had no brain activity and would never wake up. They suggested that we should prepare ourselves to say goodbye to him. \n</p><p>In time, and by the grace of God, my brother awoke from his coma. However, he could no longer speak, walk, or even use the bathroom without the assistance of a catheter and a colostomy bag. After spending my first year of college three hours away from my family pursuing an International Business degree at Ohio University, I decided to transfer to the University of Cincinnati and come home to help with my brother’s care. \n</p><p>All I could do was comfort him and help in any way that I could, like physically moving him, stretching his limbs, and feeding him. It was then that I realized that my family was not alone in this. There are millions of families with children who have differences and disabilities. Millions of families out there are struggling to navigate our healthcare system and then struggle to even afford the care they require. People are losing their lives every day because of it. Things have got to change. \n</p><p>As a caregiver, I have seen firsthand several major challenges facing our disabled and special needs communities. There is a home health crisis happening in America today. Staffing shortages are being caused by companies not offering enough incentives or compensation compared to other jobs in the professional medicine field such as at hospitals and medical centers. Quality of care is abysmal in many, many cases. Disabled &amp; handicapped people everywhere and their families are struggling to find the care their loved ones so desperately need. \n</p><p>Services &amp; programs for the Disabled are lacking. Pre-K-12 schools and programs need more support and funding to ensure all their students’ needs are being met. Some children are lucky to attend a great school that really cares for their disabled, special needs, and handicapped communities. However, it is far too common for children with differences elsewhere to be neglected, abused, and have no way to tell their parents or guardians what is happening. In Congress, I will ensure that children with differences and disabilities will always have a voice and receive the quality of care that they deserve. \n</p><p><b>Public Education</b><br/>\nWe cannot sacrifice quality public school systems in the United States. Most children in Ohio attend schools in a state public school district, rather than at private or charter schools. We cannot afford to leave the majority of our nation’s children behind for the sake of individuals who can choose to access these private educational opportunities. Conservative state legislators in Columbus have set forth an agenda that is set to extract money out of our public education systems for the benefit of the top 1% (the nation’s wealthy). The governor of Ohio Mike DeWine has even effectively dissolved the state’s Board of Education in favor of his own administration being in control of Ohio’s education system. This is to the detriment of every child in the state of Ohio. \n</p><p>For decades, our federal government has stiff-armed our nation’s students and teachers, while pumping seemingly infinite amounts of money into the country's military-industrial complex taken straight from American taxpayers. Because of this, millions of children in the U.S., still here today in 2023, attend schools in classrooms without proper learning materials, no Wi-Fi for internet-based lesson planning, no heat or air conditioning, teachers are forced to take second jobs or decide sadly to leave the profession entirely to pay their bills, and college students saddled with student debt for the rest of their lives upon graduation. Congress must pursue action to curb the predatory behaviors of for-profit colleges and universities through rulemaking, enforcement, and informing students of considerable risks. \n</p><p>Unequal funding for low-income neighborhoods has also contributed to the slow rolling, resegregation of public schools, and a growing achievement gap for students of color and students from low-income households. Funding public education is one of the most critical investments that Congress can make. It is one of the most important duties our representatives have to the American people to make sure that the public education system in this country not only is up to standard with other countries but regularly ranks as a leader in education globally. \n</p><p>I support new, forward-looking, and comprehensive investments from the federal government in early learning opportunities, effective 21st-century public schools, and freedom to pursue an education free of debt. In addition, Congress must do more to support and fund teachers and education professionals, so they can work with dignity and support our students' education successfully. Lastly, we must ensure our educational commitments to students last through college, any student who wants to go to college and get their degree should be able to graduate without a lifetime of debt and shouldn't be made to choose between giving themselves an education or affording basic living expenses. \n</p><p><b>Ohio’s Mass Incarceration &amp; Opioid Crisis</b><br/>\nOhio has been at the very center of an opioid and addiction crisis in this country. Our state ranks fourth in the nation in overdose deaths. Drug addiction is destroying Ohio families and communities. We need to be leaders in ending this crisis by reducing the availability of long-misused prescription medications and by keeping heroin and fentanyl off of our communities' streets. We need Representatives who are committed to adopting scientific evidence-based treatment programs, rather than incarcerating drug addicts which does not solve the root problem. Expanding access to naloxone and other opioid reversal medication, as well as fentanyl test strips will help to reduce fatal overdose deaths. \n</p><p>After several decades of a failed War on Drugs, Congress must direct the DOJ to expedite the review of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance and publicly announce/update the progress and planned timeline for rescheduling or de-scheduling. Protections should also be reinstated against federal prosecution and interference in state-legal cannabis programs. We have to move forward with updated information and modern treatment solutions. We must stop criminalizing those addicted to drugs and low-level drug offenders and begin tackling the root of the problem of big-time drug traffickers smuggling drugs into the country and the mental health of those suffering with addiction. \n</p><p>Mass incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline create the means to take money out of American taxpayers' pockets, and consequentially abuse and exploit the incarcerated population. These are our young people and our future. Just recently an investigation into the juvenile detention system in Ohio was made public and the findings were shocking. Our young people deserve better. Far too often the criminal and juvenile justice system punishes rather than rehabilitates those who serve time. I am committed to passing legislation that will truly reform how we treat those suffering from addiction, and how we use incarceration as a time to rehabilitate our citizens rather than punishing them. Together we will end the Opioid Crisis in Ohio. \n</p><p><b>Support for Veterans</b><br/>\nWords that come to mind when I think of veterans are service, courage &amp; sacrifice. Growing up in a family with a long tradition of military service taught me the importance of service to our country and gave me a deep appreciation of all those brave men and women who put on the uniform to defend our freedom with their lives. Our veterans deserve to have our full support for the duty they performed for our nation. \n</p><p>Alarmingly, veteran suicide rates have reached their highest level in recorded history, with over 6000 veterans dying by suicide annually. Veterans must have more accessible support systems and better communication to let them know exactly what services are available for those experiencing PTSD or other mental health issues. Furthermore, there are more than 33,000 homeless veterans currently in the U.S. In many of these cases, some form of mental health issue is affecting these homeless vets. It is unacceptable the United States of America, the most prosperous nation in the world, has even one single homeless veteran. Between the VA, nonprofits, corporate partners, and the Department of Housing &amp; Urban Development there should not be any veterans experiencing homelessness in our country. \n</p><p>We must ensure that VA hospitals provide nothing but outstanding care for our service members. As of 2019, Ohio has a veteran population count of 774,935 service members. Among other states, Ohio is ranked 6th in veteran population. So many of our fellow Ohioans, including my father who served in the United States Marine Corps, have served this nation. Now it is our country’s duty to honor &amp; serve them. \n</p><p><b>Crisis at the Border</b><br/>\nOur immigration system is broken. We must solve the root causes of the crisis, rather than advocating for the merciless treatment of people who seek to enter this country legally. Children have been separated from their families, parents have been deported after decades in this country, and Dreamers have spent years of their lives in limbo. For far too long, our laws have denied immigrant families their human rights and dignity. \n</p><p>Millions of DACA recipients, or “Dreamers,” are already making substantial contributions to our society as outstanding citizens, workers, and taxpayers. Beyond DACA-eligible residents, immigration reform should provide a pathway to citizenship for “documented dreamers.” These are children of foreign workers who have been legally admitted to the U.S. on temporary work visas, such as the H-1B visa used by skilled technology workers. Documented Dreamers lose their legal status upon turning 21 despite being welcomed at the time of their entrance to the country. Nearly a quarter million children who grew up while legally residing in the U.S. now face immediate deportation upon turning 21. Despite growing up, being educated here in the U.S., and sometimes having little, if any, knowledge of or connection to their countries of birth. Because they entered the U.S. legally, these promising young people do not qualify for DACA and need new provisions written into law to resolve their troubles with the immigration process. \n</p><p>There is not currently adequate funding for federal immigration judges, because of this asylum cases are backlogged. Without appropriate resources at the disposal of immigration officials at the United States Citizenship &amp; Immigration Services, international students can waste many valuable months waiting for the administrative processing of practical training opportunities. Appropriate funding for our immigration system would provide resources for border security, but more impactfully, it would enable the system to work more efficiently and effectively, ending the practice of having to house immigrants waiting on immigration courts. \n</p><p>I support a complete overhaul of our immigration system — including a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the U.S., and due process in our immigration system. Many of our own families came to America as immigrants from other parts of the eworld. They came here seeking opportunity, freedom from oppressive government, safety for their families and the hope that their children and descendants will have a better life. People entering the United States today do so for the same exact reasons as our ancestors. Our immigration system must prioritize dignity, fairness, and opportunity for immigrants seeking a better life in the United States. In keeping with our history as a nation of immigrants, humane &amp; fair immigration reform is of the utmost importance. \n</p><p><b>Social Security</b><br/>\nThe pandemic has only underscored what we already knew and has exacerbated systemic inequities--current benefits are not enough for citizens to survive on. The Census Bureau estimates the poverty rate in 2020 was 9 percent for Americans aged 65 and older. This means despite the critical support provided by Social Security, upwards of five million of our elderly citizens were living in poverty last year. \n</p><p>The poverty rate for elderly women was 10.1%, and for African Americans it was over 17%, leaving almost 1 million elderly African Americans living in poverty in 2020. This is unacceptable and should be impossible in a country as wealthy as the United States. We absolutely cannot sit by and allow millions of our fellow citizens, who worked hard their entire lives, to spend their golden years living in poverty. \n</p><p>We can end systemic inequity in the Social Security Program by taking several steps. Eliminating the five-month waiting period to receive disability benefits; and enacting caregiver benefits. Taking these steps while also helping low-income workers and their families by setting the minimum benefit at 25% above the poverty line will give citizens on fixed income greater financial independence and increase consumer confidence. \n</p><p>I support legislation that will repeal the income tax on social security. Social Security deductions are not pre-tax deductions from our wages, so to tax Social Security income when we retire is over-taxation that we are all subject to. Upon retirement, our seniors rely on their monthly checks to cover the essentials of living. Passing legislation to stop this double taxation will free up more money to support the challenges of our elderly citizens being on a fixed income and meeting basic expenses. To cut Social Security benefits for anyone who has paid into the system would be a failure of leadership to the highest degree and essentially the government-sanctioned robbing of the American people. \n</p><p>As we look to take care of our elderly population as they age today, we must consider those who are currently paying into the social security system. Politicians have suggested raising the minimum age of retirement required to be eligible for social security. A common argument is that life expectancy has increased over the last several decades. However, the world just experienced a mass pandemic that will cause those who were affected to have lifelong symptoms and side effects. \n</p><p>On top of the damage the pandemic has done to populations of people around the world, people of color are already more at risk of developing underlying health conditions. This amounts to a shortening of our average life expectancy. What are we to tell those who may not live to see the age of retirement if we were to raise the minimum age requirement to draw from social security? We must keep in mind the inequitableness of such measures that disproportionally affect the most vulnerable members of our society. \n</p><p><b>Housing &amp; Transit</b><br/>\nThere is a housing crisis in our nation. Every day, the burden of excessive rent and housing costs prevents Ohioans from attaining the financial stability they need to live their lives. It prevents them from doing things like starting their families, buying homes, opening small businesses, planning for their futures, and living comfortable lives. For us to fully realize housing as a human right and not just a privilege, we must institute national tenant protections including rent stabilization, restricting evictions without cause, and a tenant right to counsel during eviction proceedings. Additionally, federal grants should be conditioned on reforms to exclusionary zoning laws that local governments often use with nefarious and racist purposes to keep certain types of housing and people out of their neighborhoods. \n</p><p>For too long, our country’s transportation system has prioritized automobiles over more community-friendly modes of transportation. The result has become a massive system of complex roads packed with millions of emission-emitting vehicles. Not to mention highways that frequently find their paths along historically black and brown neighborhoods. To build a better, safer, and more sustainable tomorrow, we must end our car-centered transportation for more sustainable, efficient, and competitive transportation. Making investments in transportation modes such as bus systems and railroads. These investments in infrastructure will provide returns back to our communities ten times over the cost to implement them. \n</p><p>If we continue to think about housing and transportation separately, we will continue down our path of long commutes, environmental degradation, and unaffordability. It’s time for an updated, cleaner &amp; safer vision of how we build our cities, towns, and neighborhoods. \n</p><p><b>Gerrymandering</b><br/>\nGerrymandering is a crisis that has, for decades, been threatening our democracy all across the country. Ohio’s district lines, initially drawn by Republicans to maintain a super majority, ensured that citizens remained underrepresented. Consistently, state and federal judges ruled Ohio’s Congressional Districts unconstitutional. In 2018, Ohio voters established a Constitutional Amendment to ensure that districts are drawn fairly. Additionally, in September 2023, new lines were drawn for Ohio House and State jurisdictions. Despite this, Republican legislators have resisted calls to uphold the law and draw fair district lines, suppressing voices and causing further disparities within our voting system. \n</p><p>I am steadfastly committed to serving as a voice for everyday middle- and lower-class families. I believe strongly in putting people over profits and expanding voter access to the ballot box for all underrepresented citizens of the United States. I will work across party lines in Congress to ensure fairness in our democratic voting process, and to ensure that citizens of the 8th district have their voices heard in Washington, D.C. We must remind lawmakers that we are not just numbers on a spreadsheet and that the choices our Representatives make have real life or death consequences for their constituents at home.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_2-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-2\">[2]</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;\">—Nathaniel Hawkins’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": "Hawkins’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ Protect Our Democracy Our country, its democracy, and its promise of a better life are all things that my family holds dear. My father is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a 25-year veteran of the Cincinnati Fire Department. My mother has worked in healthcare for nearly 30 years. First for Group Health Associates and then for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where my sister Aryel and I now work. Because of my upbringing, wanting to help people has always come as second nature to me. I’m a Hawkins, it’s just what we do. I was born on February 17, 1998. My very first vivid memory is of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The day that would eventually become my son’s birthday. Due to my not understanding the situation and my father being a firefighter, I was naturally terrified that he was one of the people on TV running into the burning buildings with airplanes crashing into them to save the people inside. It was the first time I remember feeling true fear. My generation is the generation who are currently having many firsts in our lives. We are trying to start our careers, and our own families, and struggling to buy our first homes. Since we were born, we have known nothing but terrorist attacks, war, school shootings, economic recessions, and deadly pandemics. We have not seen the prosperity, job security, or, if you ask many of our sisters, the rights that previous generations had fought hard to obtain. Since 2016, we the American people have seen more assaults against our democracy than many of us could have ever imagined possible. A democracy that, since its founding, so many of my own and others’ families have fought and shed blood for so that we today may enjoy the freedoms that we have. We must all get back to speaking with and working with each other to make America a place where everyone can thrive no matter their background, religion, or skin color. Our issues are not divided into red issues and blue issues. They are all American issues, and it will require all Americans to come together to solve them. I have seen that from top to bottom, our government has stopped listening to the will of its people. Every day I talk with people who are struggling to make ends meet, sometimes working multiple jobs just to pay their bills and put food on the table. This is not living, this is surviving. Lawmakers aren’t doing things to make meaningful improvements to their constituents’ lives like giving them living wages or providing universal healthcare. Voters want policies that are going to help their families get groceries or help them give their children a great education. Our Representative, Warren Davidson voted to de-certify a free and fair democratic election. In doing so he blatantly ignored the will of the people of the United States of America. Warren has sworn an oath multiple times to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States, both as a soldier in the US Army and while serving in his capacity as a United States Congressman. Take away the treason that he committed against our country, what else has he done? Davidson’s campaign website stated, “In Congress, Warren will help ensure that our government functions properly, insists the needs of the 8th district are met, and demand that our values shape federal policy. Warren will fight for you!”. The truth is that our government has not functioned properly since he was elected to his seat in 2016. Warren's refusal and inability to work across the aisle to find solutions that work for the American people is a testament to his inefficiency. He even votes against bills that passed with almost unanimous support from both Democrats and Republicans alike. Warren Davidson is not in Washington DC to help you and your family. He is there to help himself. Instead of passing legislation that would help the people of the 8th district, he would rather make political statements with his votes and toe party lines. Our representatives do not represent us in the sense that they are too focused on attacking marginalized groups of citizens and taking away our rights. Most Americans are not corporate CEOs, millionaires, or career politicians. We are not just numbers on a piece of paper. We have lives, families, passions, and dreams. I am running for Congress because I love my country. I believe in its promise of a better life but most importantly, I believe that we can make our country a better place than it has ever been for so many people who have been undervalued and underrepresented. I implore you, to elect a candidate who cares about you and your families, elect a candidate who is dedicated to working with all Americans, despite our differences! In 2024 we tell Warren Davidson that his time holding Ohio back is over! Common Sense Gun Regulation As guaranteed by the Second Amendment, responsible citizens have the right to own and use firearms, however, we are amid a gun violence epidemic. I personally know many outstanding, law-abiding citizens who own a number of firearms. However, gun violence is a growing epidemic in this country. Gun deaths among children rose 50% in just two years. 2,590 kids lost their lives to firearms in 2021. Currently, in Ohio, you can purchase & own a firearm with no permit, registration, or owner’s license. We have no magazine capacity restrictions or assault weapons laws on the books. More than 40,000 Americans die due to gun-related deaths each year. Mass shootings and gun violence have robbed my generation of our childhoods and cut too many of our lives short. Our children and innocent bystanders are being killed every day in our communities. Too little, too late is being done to stop the violence. We must make changes now, not five to 10 years down the road with thousands of more innocent killed before we do something. Congress must act and pass sweeping gun reform that is both common sense and practical. There is something wrong with our system of representation if children are dying every day and parents are begging for common sense solutions to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who have no business owning a gun. How will we respond when our children, who are being shot in their schools, ask us to protect them from harm from dangerous individuals? Until now, they have been met with half-measures, indifference, and thoughts and prayers. Parents demand that our lawmakers take protecting our children seriously. Our children depend on us and if our government will not act then we parents must force them to act. We must pass common-sense gun solutions that include: - More robust background checks - Red Flag Laws - Require licenses & permits - Stop people who have committed domestic violence from purchasing firearms - Create magazine capacity restrictions - Install waiting periods to obtain licenses - Mental health evaluations before purchases - Funding and support for local community violence intervention programs - End the corruption and hold of the gun industry over legislative processes - Ensuring that U.S. courts enforce licensing revocation for gun dealers and manufacturers who break the law We must also invest more resources into mental health services if we are truly going to ever have a chance at curbing the amount of gun violence that we experience in America. Nearly 2/3 of all gun deaths are suicides. Making sure that there are mental health resources available for people who are in crisis and their families will make a tremendous impact. Putting into place these levers and avenues for people to get help will save lives, decrease gun violence, increase public safety, and keep more people with their loved ones. Nathaniel is committed to passing common sense gun solutions that will make a truly meaningful difference in the lives of our children and the lives of all Ohioans. Women’s Health & Reproductive Rights On the 24th of June 2022 our Supreme Court overturned nearly 50 years of safe access to abortion, a lifesaving women’s health procedure. As a man, it might not seem like I should have a reason to care as much as I do about abortion. However, when I sit down and think about the reasons why I should care, I find many. I am the fiancé of a beautiful woman, brother to two wonderful sisters, and son of an amazing mother. All are women whom I would want to have access to an abortion if their lives depended on it. Furthermore, they should be able to have an abortion if they choose to because it’s their choice and their choice alone. I am proud to say that here in Ohio, on November 7th of 2023, citizens passed a ballot measure that will enshrine the right to abortion in our state's constitution. Giving women the right over their own bodily autonomy and keeping important medical decisions between themselves and their doctors. 67% of adults from the ages of 18-34 identify as pro-choice today. Consistently, across the country, states that have taken up abortion measures on their ballots have seen that Americans are not interested in having their rights stripped away from them and having their bedrooms policed by out-of-touch (largely older, Caucasian, and male) politicians. As someone who was raised in a single-parent household by his single mother, alongside his little brother and two younger sisters, I learned long ago that no man should have a say over a woman’s body. We must pass legislation codifying the rights that Roe vs. Wade had guaranteed for women for over 50 years. There are many circumstances in which the mother does not “choose” to abort their child but rather the pregnancy is not viable or risks the harm or even death of the mother herself. Women’s lives matter and our legislation on abortion should reflect the reality of abortion for what it is. The reality being that it is a deeply personal and private decision that women should be able to make safely and without fear. We must ensure that women everywhere in the United States have the right to make their own medical decisions. We took care of business here in Ohio. Now we have to take care of business in Congress. Living Wages, Empowering Workers & Economic Growth American workers are working longer hours for less compensation. We have not seen the economic growth or prosperity that previous generations experienced. This is a result of a decades-long effort by special interests and out-of-touch politicians to undermine the power and security of workers. Instead of living in past fantasies of “trickle-down economics”, we must look towards the future and more progressive policies that truly work for modern America. Growing up in a union household, I understood from a young age the importance of having fair representation at the bargaining table. Workers understand the power of organized labor. Most ununionized workers say they would join a union if given the option. The statistics show that organized labor for workers means higher wages, better jobs, and stronger protections. Which in turn makes for a fairer and safer workplace. Every American deserves to work with dignity, be free from harm in the workplace, and be fairly compensated for their time spent away from their families. Ohio was once a manufacturing powerhouse among other states. Even during World War II, Ohio played a major role in providing manpower, food, and munitions for the Allied Nations. The state manufactured 8.4 percent of total United States military armaments produced during the war, ranking fourth among the 48 states there currently were at the time. Bringing American manufacturing companies back to Ohio would create thousands of jobs, eliminate the supply chain issues that have proven to be fatal during a world crisis, and allow the state to regain the prominence it once had among other manufacturing powerhouse states in the country. In addition to bringing back Ohio manufacturing, our government must invest in public work programs such as repairing dilapidated highways, bridges and building light rail systems. Also improving public facilities such as hospitals, schools, and recreational centers would create jobs for many Ohioans while also improving our communities. As your Representative in Congress, I am fully committed to closing the wealth gap by supporting a living wage, fighting to expand labor protections for all workers, and bringing jobs back to Ohio. Reimagining Racial Equity & Justice As a Biracial man, attaining racial equity is a cause that is personal to me. Trying to succeed in pursuing the “American Dream” is difficult for many people. Structural inequities in our society can make this especially true for people of color. Inequities such as over-policing and lack of funding for community resources. Black people make up roughly 13 percent of the U.S. population. However, they account for an estimated 28 percent of people arrested, with Blacks and Latinos making up 57 percent of federal and state prisoners. Efforts must be taken to reduce racial disparities in our justice system such as implicit bias training and bail reform policies. Some progress has been made in recent years, with prison populations dropping in most parts of the country, and racial disparities slowly narrowing, but much work remains unfinished. Aside from unequal application and enforcement of the law, people of color struggle with preventable health disparities that negatively affect millions of minority Americans in the most vulnerable communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Black, Latino, and Native Americans, magnifying and adding to the persistent health inequities and unequal health burdens already borne by communities of color in the U.S. As the nation prepares for future pandemics and outbreaks, the government must keep in mind the equitable allocation of medical resources, especially early on during a national public health crisis, that is based on evidence of prioritizing vulnerable populations and reducing deaths. The impacts of systemic racism and factors such as having front-line jobs, crowded living conditions, lack of access to personal protective equipment, and the inability to work from home increase the personal risk of sickness. In the last several years, the Supreme Court and courts across the country have dismantled and destroyed important aspects of the Voting Rights Act. This has opened the doors for Republicans to pass discriminatory voter suppression laws and exacerbate already glaring inequalities in our system of representation. I am committed to dismantling the legacy of racism, xenophobia, and misogyny so that all people can live with peace, security, and dignity. As a member of Congress, I will bring much-needed representation and change to the House of Representatives and shine a light on the issues that all people of color face at the hands of systemic racism and inequities. Climate Change & Environmental Justice Drought, extreme heat, rising sea levels, forest fires, and tornados across the country are threatening the safety and security of America’s future. This continuous tragic string of events is the direct consequence of negligence towards climate change policies and will only continue to grow out of control. We must begin addressing environmental justice by holding corporations accountable for reducing disproportionate environmental impacts on our communities. It is now estimated that large corporations and commercial businesses are responsible for up to 71% of the planet’s total global emissions. Until meaningful, long-lasting changes are made, natural disasters will continue to disrupt the lives of people across the entire planet. We are failing future generations if we do not transition from fossil fuels to truly renewable energy sources. Advancing progressive climate policy can be made possible by supporting community solar energy projects, grid-enhancing technologies, and many other green projects. We as a nation must promote the broader use of renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectricity, geothermal, and solar power in everyday use. Not only will this save our planet, but building and operating these new green energy sectors will create thousands of jobs for American workers. We owe it to future generations to control carbon pollution, reduce hazardous air pollutants, and prevent water contamination from toxic waste materials. We can set up a greener future for our country by improving and introducing new public transportation systems such as subways, trolleys, public bus lines, and electromagnetic high-speed railways. These implementations, with the help of creating new “Green Spaces” to reduce urban temperatures, will drastically improve the quality of life of the people in our communities. Together we must take the necessary measures to protect our children & future generations from the deadly impact of climate change. Universal Healthcare Healthcare has become a privilege that too few Americans can actually afford. The cost of health care is rising drastically, and the United States system of managed care has gotten between the patient and their doctors. No one should have to choose between paying for basic living expenses or necessary medical care. I believe that healthcare is a right and I will work to ensure that every American has access to the quality healthcare that they deserve. The United States is the most prosperous country on the face of the planet, yet still, one of the only advanced nations in the world that fails to provide universal health care to its citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us just how cruel and irrational employer-based private insurance is, leaving millions of newly unemployed Americans without care when they need it most. Despite Americans spending more per capita on health care than anywhere else in the world, America has far worse underlying health problems, higher infant and maternal mortality, higher rates of suicide, chronic disease, and lower life expectancy because of our dilapidated healthcare system. Nearly 30 million Americans are still uninsured today in 2023. Almost one in four Americans report struggling to afford a prescription drug and medical debt is sadly the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States. Health care is a human right -- and the refusal of the United States to fulfill this basic need for millions in our country is a failure of leadership and basic humanity of the highest order. I believe in passing the Medicare For All Act to guarantee health care to all people living in the United States or another Act like it. It’s long past time to take the for-profit motive out of our healthcare system and ensure that every person has access to the care and treatment they deserve. Failing to stop Big Pharma from working over American families is a public health crisis that is being caused by the greed & ignorance of pharmaceuticals, lobbyists, and politicians who were swayed to remove obstacles so they could make trillions of dollars. Congress must act to stop price-gouging in the prescription drug market and require the expansion of the already ongoing negotiation of drug prices between pharmaceutical companies and the federal government to cover more medications. Requiring health agencies to issue annual reports on how they've reduced administrative burdens and eased program enrollment processes, including thorough measures such as: streamlining applications, reducing unnecessary paperwork for social programs, reevaluating work requirements, and reducing the frequency and difficulty of recertification requirements. Taking these actions while also ensuring robust competition in the American pharmaceutical marketplace and instituting much-needed safeguards to prevent lifesaving drugs from being removed from the market is a duty we have to the citizens of this great country. LGBTQ+ Advocacy Since 2018 more than 600 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been filed, with almost every state legislature weighing at least one bill. That’s with nearly 8/10 Americans supporting passing legislation that would protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination in jobs, housing, and public accommodations. As the older brother of two sisters who identify as LQBTQ+, I have witnessed the harassment and hatred that people, including my own sisters, have experienced for simply being who they were and existing. Nearly half of Trans and non-binary youth in the U.S. seriously considered suicide in the past year and 24% of youth in the LGBTQ+ community reported being physically threatened or harmed. We must protect our students and children of the LGBTQ+ community from targeted persecution from their legislators and school boards who should be advocating for them. It is of the utmost importance that the LGBTQ+ community have the same rights, protections, and freedoms that all Americans are entitled to. Disability Care & Access There is no one closer to me than my family. My siblings and I were raised to love one another deeply and to advocate for each other fiercely. Our whole lives we have been each other’s best friends and greatest protectors. We never had much, but we had each other. Not once did I feel completely helpless to either help or protect my siblings. That was until two weeks before I graduated high school. My little brother Brandon, who was twelve at the time, suffered an anoxic brain injury. Later we would come to find out it was a Chiari Malformation. The doctors pulled my parents, sisters, and me into a small room with couches and chairs. They sat us down and said that my brother had no brain activity and would never wake up. They suggested that we should prepare ourselves to say goodbye to him. In time, and by the grace of God, my brother awoke from his coma. However, he could no longer speak, walk, or even use the bathroom without the assistance of a catheter and a colostomy bag. After spending my first year of college three hours away from my family pursuing an International Business degree at Ohio University, I decided to transfer to the University of Cincinnati and come home to help with my brother’s care. All I could do was comfort him and help in any way that I could, like physically moving him, stretching his limbs, and feeding him. It was then that I realized that my family was not alone in this. There are millions of families with children who have differences and disabilities. Millions of families out there are struggling to navigate our healthcare system and then struggle to even afford the care they require. People are losing their lives every day because of it. Things have got to change. As a caregiver, I have seen firsthand several major challenges facing our disabled and special needs communities. There is a home health crisis happening in America today. Staffing shortages are being caused by companies not offering enough incentives or compensation compared to other jobs in the professional medicine field such as at hospitals and medical centers. Quality of care is abysmal in many, many cases. Disabled & handicapped people everywhere and their families are struggling to find the care their loved ones so desperately need. Services & programs for the Disabled are lacking. Pre-K-12 schools and programs need more support and funding to ensure all their students’ needs are being met. Some children are lucky to attend a great school that really cares for their disabled, special needs, and handicapped communities. However, it is far too common for children with differences elsewhere to be neglected, abused, and have no way to tell their parents or guardians what is happening. In Congress, I will ensure that children with differences and disabilities will always have a voice and receive the quality of care that they deserve. Public Education We cannot sacrifice quality public school systems in the United States. Most children in Ohio attend schools in a state public school district, rather than at private or charter schools. We cannot afford to leave the majority of our nation’s children behind for the sake of individuals who can choose to access these private educational opportunities. Conservative state legislators in Columbus have set forth an agenda that is set to extract money out of our public education systems for the benefit of the top 1% (the nation’s wealthy). The governor of Ohio Mike DeWine has even effectively dissolved the state’s Board of Education in favor of his own administration being in control of Ohio’s education system. This is to the detriment of every child in the state of Ohio. For decades, our federal government has stiff-armed our nation’s students and teachers, while pumping seemingly infinite amounts of money into the country's military-industrial complex taken straight from American taxpayers. Because of this, millions of children in the U.S., still here today in 2023, attend schools in classrooms without proper learning materials, no Wi-Fi for internet-based lesson planning, no heat or air conditioning, teachers are forced to take second jobs or decide sadly to leave the profession entirely to pay their bills, and college students saddled with student debt for the rest of their lives upon graduation. Congress must pursue action to curb the predatory behaviors of for-profit colleges and universities through rulemaking, enforcement, and informing students of considerable risks. Unequal funding for low-income neighborhoods has also contributed to the slow rolling, resegregation of public schools, and a growing achievement gap for students of color and students from low-income households. Funding public education is one of the most critical investments that Congress can make. It is one of the most important duties our representatives have to the American people to make sure that the public education system in this country not only is up to standard with other countries but regularly ranks as a leader in education globally. I support new, forward-looking, and comprehensive investments from the federal government in early learning opportunities, effective 21st-century public schools, and freedom to pursue an education free of debt. In addition, Congress must do more to support and fund teachers and education professionals, so they can work with dignity and support our students' education successfully. Lastly, we must ensure our educational commitments to students last through college, any student who wants to go to college and get their degree should be able to graduate without a lifetime of debt and shouldn't be made to choose between giving themselves an education or affording basic living expenses. Ohio’s Mass Incarceration & Opioid Crisis Ohio has been at the very center of an opioid and addiction crisis in this country. Our state ranks fourth in the nation in overdose deaths. Drug addiction is destroying Ohio families and communities. We need to be leaders in ending this crisis by reducing the availability of long-misused prescription medications and by keeping heroin and fentanyl off of our communities' streets. We need Representatives who are committed to adopting scientific evidence-based treatment programs, rather than incarcerating drug addicts which does not solve the root problem. Expanding access to naloxone and other opioid reversal medication, as well as fentanyl test strips will help to reduce fatal overdose deaths. After several decades of a failed War on Drugs, Congress must direct the DOJ to expedite the review of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance and publicly announce/update the progress and planned timeline for rescheduling or de-scheduling. Protections should also be reinstated against federal prosecution and interference in state-legal cannabis programs. We have to move forward with updated information and modern treatment solutions. We must stop criminalizing those addicted to drugs and low-level drug offenders and begin tackling the root of the problem of big-time drug traffickers smuggling drugs into the country and the mental health of those suffering with addiction. Mass incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline create the means to take money out of American taxpayers' pockets, and consequentially abuse and exploit the incarcerated population. These are our young people and our future. Just recently an investigation into the juvenile detention system in Ohio was made public and the findings were shocking. Our young people deserve better. Far too often the criminal and juvenile justice system punishes rather than rehabilitates those who serve time. I am committed to passing legislation that will truly reform how we treat those suffering from addiction, and how we use incarceration as a time to rehabilitate our citizens rather than punishing them. Together we will end the Opioid Crisis in Ohio. Support for Veterans Words that come to mind when I think of veterans are service, courage & sacrifice. Growing up in a family with a long tradition of military service taught me the importance of service to our country and gave me a deep appreciation of all those brave men and women who put on the uniform to defend our freedom with their lives. Our veterans deserve to have our full support for the duty they performed for our nation. Alarmingly, veteran suicide rates have reached their highest level in recorded history, with over 6000 veterans dying by suicide annually. Veterans must have more accessible support systems and better communication to let them know exactly what services are available for those experiencing PTSD or other mental health issues. Furthermore, there are more than 33,000 homeless veterans currently in the U.S. In many of these cases, some form of mental health issue is affecting these homeless vets. It is unacceptable the United States of America, the most prosperous nation in the world, has even one single homeless veteran. Between the VA, nonprofits, corporate partners, and the Department of Housing & Urban Development there should not be any veterans experiencing homelessness in our country. We must ensure that VA hospitals provide nothing but outstanding care for our service members. As of 2019, Ohio has a veteran population count of 774,935 service members. Among other states, Ohio is ranked 6th in veteran population. So many of our fellow Ohioans, including my father who served in the United States Marine Corps, have served this nation. Now it is our country’s duty to honor & serve them. Crisis at the Border Our immigration system is broken. We must solve the root causes of the crisis, rather than advocating for the merciless treatment of people who seek to enter this country legally. Children have been separated from their families, parents have been deported after decades in this country, and Dreamers have spent years of their lives in limbo. For far too long, our laws have denied immigrant families their human rights and dignity. Millions of DACA recipients, or “Dreamers,” are already making substantial contributions to our society as outstanding citizens, workers, and taxpayers. Beyond DACA-eligible residents, immigration reform should provide a pathway to citizenship for “documented dreamers.” These are children of foreign workers who have been legally admitted to the U.S. on temporary work visas, such as the H-1B visa used by skilled technology workers. Documented Dreamers lose their legal status upon turning 21 despite being welcomed at the time of their entrance to the country. Nearly a quarter million children who grew up while legally residing in the U.S. now face immediate deportation upon turning 21. Despite growing up, being educated here in the U.S., and sometimes having little, if any, knowledge of or connection to their countries of birth. Because they entered the U.S. legally, these promising young people do not qualify for DACA and need new provisions written into law to resolve their troubles with the immigration process. There is not currently adequate funding for federal immigration judges, because of this asylum cases are backlogged. Without appropriate resources at the disposal of immigration officials at the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services, international students can waste many valuable months waiting for the administrative processing of practical training opportunities. Appropriate funding for our immigration system would provide resources for border security, but more impactfully, it would enable the system to work more efficiently and effectively, ending the practice of having to house immigrants waiting on immigration courts. I support a complete overhaul of our immigration system — including a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the U.S., and due process in our immigration system. Many of our own families came to America as immigrants from other parts of the eworld. They came here seeking opportunity, freedom from oppressive government, safety for their families and the hope that their children and descendants will have a better life. People entering the United States today do so for the same exact reasons as our ancestors. Our immigration system must prioritize dignity, fairness, and opportunity for immigrants seeking a better life in the United States. In keeping with our history as a nation of immigrants, humane & fair immigration reform is of the utmost importance. Social Security The pandemic has only underscored what we already knew and has exacerbated systemic inequities--current benefits are not enough for citizens to survive on. The Census Bureau estimates the poverty rate in 2020 was 9 percent for Americans aged 65 and older. This means despite the critical support provided by Social Security, upwards of five million of our elderly citizens were living in poverty last year. The poverty rate for elderly women was 10.1%, and for African Americans it was over 17%, leaving almost 1 million elderly African Americans living in poverty in 2020. This is unacceptable and should be impossible in a country as wealthy as the United States. We absolutely cannot sit by and allow millions of our fellow citizens, who worked hard their entire lives, to spend their golden years living in poverty. We can end systemic inequity in the Social Security Program by taking several steps. Eliminating the five-month waiting period to receive disability benefits; and enacting caregiver benefits. Taking these steps while also helping low-income workers and their families by setting the minimum benefit at 25% above the poverty line will give citizens on fixed income greater financial independence and increase consumer confidence. I support legislation that will repeal the income tax on social security. Social Security deductions are not pre-tax deductions from our wages, so to tax Social Security income when we retire is over-taxation that we are all subject to. Upon retirement, our seniors rely on their monthly checks to cover the essentials of living. Passing legislation to stop this double taxation will free up more money to support the challenges of our elderly citizens being on a fixed income and meeting basic expenses. To cut Social Security benefits for anyone who has paid into the system would be a failure of leadership to the highest degree and essentially the government-sanctioned robbing of the American people. As we look to take care of our elderly population as they age today, we must consider those who are currently paying into the social security system. Politicians have suggested raising the minimum age of retirement required to be eligible for social security. A common argument is that life expectancy has increased over the last several decades. However, the world just experienced a mass pandemic that will cause those who were affected to have lifelong symptoms and side effects. On top of the damage the pandemic has done to populations of people around the world, people of color are already more at risk of developing underlying health conditions. This amounts to a shortening of our average life expectancy. What are we to tell those who may not live to see the age of retirement if we were to raise the minimum age requirement to draw from social security? We must keep in mind the inequitableness of such measures that disproportionally affect the most vulnerable members of our society. Housing & Transit There is a housing crisis in our nation. Every day, the burden of excessive rent and housing costs prevents Ohioans from attaining the financial stability they need to live their lives. It prevents them from doing things like starting their families, buying homes, opening small businesses, planning for their futures, and living comfortable lives. For us to fully realize housing as a human right and not just a privilege, we must institute national tenant protections including rent stabilization, restricting evictions without cause, and a tenant right to counsel during eviction proceedings. Additionally, federal grants should be conditioned on reforms to exclusionary zoning laws that local governments often use with nefarious and racist purposes to keep certain types of housing and people out of their neighborhoods. For too long, our country’s transportation system has prioritized automobiles over more community-friendly modes of transportation. The result has become a massive system of complex roads packed with millions of emission-emitting vehicles. Not to mention highways that frequently find their paths along historically black and brown neighborhoods. To build a better, safer, and more sustainable tomorrow, we must end our car-centered transportation for more sustainable, efficient, and competitive transportation. Making investments in transportation modes such as bus systems and railroads. These investments in infrastructure will provide returns back to our communities ten times over the cost to implement them. If we continue to think about housing and transportation separately, we will continue down our path of long commutes, environmental degradation, and unaffordability. It’s time for an updated, cleaner & safer vision of how we build our cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Gerrymandering Gerrymandering is a crisis that has, for decades, been threatening our democracy all across the country. Ohio’s district lines, initially drawn by Republicans to maintain a super majority, ensured that citizens remained underrepresented. Consistently, state and federal judges ruled Ohio’s Congressional Districts unconstitutional. In 2018, Ohio voters established a Constitutional Amendment to ensure that districts are drawn fairly. Additionally, in September 2023, new lines were drawn for Ohio House and State jurisdictions. Despite this, Republican legislators have resisted calls to uphold the law and draw fair district lines, suppressing voices and causing further disparities within our voting system. I am steadfastly committed to serving as a voice for everyday middle- and lower-class families. I believe strongly in putting people over profits and expanding voter access to the ballot box for all underrepresented citizens of the United States. I will work across party lines in Congress to ensure fairness in our democratic voting process, and to ensure that citizens of the 8th district have their voices heard in Washington, D.C. We must remind lawmakers that we are not just numbers on a spreadsheet and that the choices our Representatives make have real life or death consequences for their constituents at home. [2] ” —Nathaniel Hawkins’s campaign website (2024) [3]"}]