Dennis Joseph McGrath

[{"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>Dennis McGrath completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McGrath's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading-bio-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-387973-2025-10-21\" 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-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-387973-2025-10-21\" 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 lifelong resident of Long Island, raised in North Massapequa and never moving more than a few miles from my childhood home. I am married to my best friend, Donna, who is a pre-school teacher, and I am the father/step-father to 5 wonderful children.\r\n<p>I attended Chaminade high school then earned my BS Degree from Manhattan College. I also earned my Juris Doctor degree from Touro Law Center where I graduated Magna Cum Laude and a member of the Touro Law Review. Additionally, I have extensive real world business experience, having owned and managed several international fashion design and manufacturing and companies.​\r\n</p><p>Today, I am managing partner at the McGrath Law Group. I have been honored for 5 consecutive years by Super Lawyers as a 2021 through 2025 Rising Star in the legal profession. \r\n</p>\nI am of of hispanic heritage and speak fluent Spanish. I also do extensive work and teaching in the Hispanic community. I am now hoping to take my skills and experiences to use them to help unite my community in this time of political turmoil.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading-key-message-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-387973-2025-10-21\" 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-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Tax and spend liberals are destroying this country. Larger government is the cause of our problems and not the solution. We need to reign in spending in order to cut property taxes , stop endless tax hikes that drive people out of New York, stop wasteful government spending that drives up the cost of living, and support small businesses that create jobs and opportunities in our communities.</li><li>Families on Long Island are being crushed by some of the highest property taxes in America. Washington’s unfair SALT cap punishes us even more by limiting how much we can deduct from our federal taxes. It’s double taxation — and it’s wrong.\r\n<p>We need to end the SALT cap and restore full tax deductions for Long Island families. and also stop Albany’s endless tax hikes that drive people out of New York. Our elected officials need to deliver real relief for homeowners, middle-class families, and small businesses.\r\n</p>\nLong Islanders already pay more than our fair share. It’s time Washington and Albany stopped treating us like their piggy bank.</li><li>The governance in New York is absurd when it comes to crime. Thank God that Bruce Blakeman takes crime so seriously and helps to protect us here in the 4th Congressional District.\r\n\r\nYour deserves to feel safe, but Albany’s radical policies have ended cash bail, tied the hands of law enforcement, and put violent criminals back on the streets, leaving communities less secure and police demoralized. I will fight to end the insanity of cashless bail, holding violent offenders accountable, giving police the respect and resources they need, cracking down on gangs and drug cartels, and keeping subways and neighborhoods safe. New York must stand with law enforcement, not criminals, and I will ensure public safety comes first again.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading1-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-387973-2025-10-21\" 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=\"heading1-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-387973-2025-10-21\" 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 believe in the prioritization of controlling federal spending, maintining border security, supporting law enforcement, and addressing affordability issues. <br/><br/>\r\nWe need to promote fiscal conservatism, strengthen the southern and northern borders, combat crime, and advocate for tax relief and infrastructure funding.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading2-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-387973-2025-10-21\" 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=\"heading2-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-387973-2025-10-21\" 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 believe accessibility, integrity, and reliability are the key attributes you should not only expect but demand from your elected officials. Do what you say and mean. Do not give lip service to just win votes. I would rather have a discussion to arrive at a mutually agreeable position then promise one thing and deliver another.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading3-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-387973-2025-10-21\" 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=\"heading3-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAn elected official should listen to his or her constituants and not merely appease them for electoral purposes. His/her responsibility and loyalty should be the people in his District. I believe that, while a congressman should do what is best for this Country, he must first take into consideration the people who put him into this position, to speak as if he were the voice of his constituancy.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading4-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-387973-2025-10-21\" 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=\"heading4-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-387973-2025-10-21\" 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\t\"A Prayer for Owen Meany\" by John Irving. The main character always knew he had a purpose in life for a greater good, and he lived to achieve that purpose.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading5-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-387973-2025-10-21\" 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=\"heading5-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-387973-2025-10-21\" 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 believe previous experience in politics is a distinct DISADVANTAGE. We need people in government who understand how the free markets work. Not by speaking to people, but through personal experience. Only this way will they know how to better fix the system.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading6-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-387973-2025-10-21\" 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=\"heading6-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-387973-2025-10-21\" 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\tDonald Trump is taking on the preconceived notions that the same old systems in diplomacy are the way to go. Sometimes things need to be shaken up and we need to find a new route towards American prosperity and excepionalism. This fight begins on the world stage where we seek peace through strength, and economic dominance through tariffs, and skillful negotiations. If we do not begin developing our manufacturing sector domestically, it will spell our ultimate downfall. We cannot be totally reliant on foreign powers for sustaining our ecenomic engine.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading7-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-387973-2025-10-21\" 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=\"heading7-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-387973-2025-10-21\" 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 believe term limits are needed, but I also believe a term should be a bit longer than two years. I feel as though a two year term, based on the current climate, leaves Congressmen running for reelection from the day they set foot in office. We need them to concetrate more on the work of the people and less on re-election.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading8-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-387973-2025-10-21\" 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 founding fathers never intended for political positions to be lifelong positions. I am firmly for term limits, the length of which should be determined by debate in Congrss and with the input of the electorate.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading9-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-387973-2025-10-21\" 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=\"heading9-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-387973-2025-10-21\" 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 have always been, and want to remain, true to myself and the people around me. I do not model myself after others, but hope to emulate the positive qualities I identify ni those around me, both Republicans and Democrats.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading10-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-387973-2025-10-21\" 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=\"heading10-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-387973-2025-10-21\" 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 needed for policymaking, but that does not mean you give away your core principal values to achieve it. A skillful politician gets the other side to agree to a middle ground that makes both sides a bit unhappy, but serves the best interests of their bases.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-387973-2025-10-21\" id=\"heading11-387973-2025-10-21\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-387973-2025-10-21\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-387973-2025-10-21\" 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 an accomplishment that you are proud of?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-387973-2025-10-21\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-387973-2025-10-21\" 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 became an attorney at the age of 50, attending law school at night while working full time. It changed me as a person.\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\nDennis McGrath completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McGrath's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a lifelong resident of Long Island, raised in North Massapequa and never moving more than a few miles from my childhood home. I am married to my best friend, Donna, who is a pre-school teacher, and I am the father/step-father to 5 wonderful children. I attended Chaminade high school then earned my BS Degree from Manhattan College. I also earned my Juris Doctor degree from Touro Law Center where I graduated Magna Cum Laude and a member of the Touro Law Review. Additionally, I have extensive real world business experience, having owned and managed several international fashion design and manufacturing and companies.​ Today, I am managing partner at the McGrath Law Group. I have been honored for 5 consecutive years by Super Lawyers as a 2021 through 2025 Rising Star in the legal profession. I am of of hispanic heritage and speak fluent Spanish. I also do extensive work and teaching in the Hispanic community. I am now hoping to take my skills and experiences to use them to help unite my community in this time of political turmoil. 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? Tax and spend liberals are destroying this country. Larger government is the cause of our problems and not the solution. We need to reign in spending in order to cut property taxes , stop endless tax hikes that drive people out of New York, stop wasteful government spending that drives up the cost of living, and support small businesses that create jobs and opportunities in our communities. Families on Long Island are being crushed by some of the highest property taxes in America. Washington’s unfair SALT cap punishes us even more by limiting how much we can deduct from our federal taxes. It’s double taxation — and it’s wrong. We need to end the SALT cap and restore full tax deductions for Long Island families. and also stop Albany’s endless tax hikes that drive people out of New York. Our elected officials need to deliver real relief for homeowners, middle-class families, and small businesses. Long Islanders already pay more than our fair share. It’s time Washington and Albany stopped treating us like their piggy bank. The governance in New York is absurd when it comes to crime. Thank God that Bruce Blakeman takes crime so seriously and helps to protect us here in the 4th Congressional District.\r\n\r\nYour deserves to feel safe, but Albany’s radical policies have ended cash bail, tied the hands of law enforcement, and put violent criminals back on the streets, leaving communities less secure and police demoralized. I will fight to end the insanity of cashless bail, holding violent offenders accountable, giving police the respect and resources they need, cracking down on gangs and drug cartels, and keeping subways and neighborhoods safe. New York must stand with law enforcement, not criminals, and I will ensure public safety comes first again. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I believe in the prioritization of controlling federal spending, maintining border security, supporting law enforcement, and addressing affordability issues. We need to promote fiscal conservatism, strengthen the southern and northern borders, combat crime, and advocate for tax relief and infrastructure funding. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? I believe accessibility, integrity, and reliability are the key attributes you should not only expect but demand from your elected officials. Do what you say and mean. Do not give lip service to just win votes. I would rather have a discussion to arrive at a mutually agreeable position then promise one thing and deliver another. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? An elected official should listen to his or her constituants and not merely appease them for electoral purposes. His/her responsibility and loyalty should be the people in his District. I believe that, while a congressman should do what is best for this Country, he must first take into consideration the people who put him into this position, to speak as if he were the voice of his constituancy. What is your favorite book? Why? \"A Prayer for Owen Meany\" by John Irving. The main character always knew he had a purpose in life for a greater good, and he lived to achieve that purpose. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? I believe previous experience in politics is a distinct DISADVANTAGE. We need people in government who understand how the free markets work. Not by speaking to people, but through personal experience. Only this way will they know how to better fix the system. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Donald Trump is taking on the preconceived notions that the same old systems in diplomacy are the way to go. Sometimes things need to be shaken up and we need to find a new route towards American prosperity and excepionalism. This fight begins on the world stage where we seek peace through strength, and economic dominance through tariffs, and skillful negotiations. If we do not begin developing our manufacturing sector domestically, it will spell our ultimate downfall. We cannot be totally reliant on foreign powers for sustaining our ecenomic engine. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? I believe term limits are needed, but I also believe a term should be a bit longer than two years. I feel as though a two year term, based on the current climate, leaves Congressmen running for reelection from the day they set foot in office. We need them to concetrate more on the work of the people and less on re-election. What are your thoughts on term limits? The founding fathers never intended for political positions to be lifelong positions. I am firmly for term limits, the length of which should be determined by debate in Congrss and with the input of the electorate. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? I have always been, and want to remain, true to myself and the people around me. I do not model myself after others, but hope to emulate the positive qualities I identify ni those around me, both Republicans and Democrats. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Compromise is needed for policymaking, but that does not mean you give away your core principal values to achieve it. A skillful politician gets the other side to agree to a middle ground that makes both sides a bit unhappy, but serves the best interests of their bases. What is an accomplishment that you are proud of? I became an attorney at the age of 50, attending law school at night while working full time. It changed me as a person.\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."}]