Michael Zeltakalns

[{"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>Michael Zeltakalns completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zeltakalns' 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-405249-2026-02-17\" id=\"heading-bio-405249-2026-02-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-405249-2026-02-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-405249-2026-02-17\" 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-405249-2026-02-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-405249-2026-02-17\" 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\tDemocrat, Veteran, Public Servant: Mike's commitment to public service started at 16, when he joined his local volunteer first aid squad and became an EMT. In the wake of 9/11, he enlisted in the United States Navy, becoming the third generation of his family to serve.\r\n<p>Mike has always raised his hand for the hardest jobs. During the 2007 surge, he deployed with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit to Iraq serving alongside some of the bravest men and women in uniform.\r\n</p><p>After his honorable discharge in 2013, Mike joined the U.S. State Department, where he worked to protect American citizens during crises abroad — natural disasters, political unrest, and disease outbreaks.\r\n</p>\nEvery time his country called, Mike answered. He's raising his hand again — to stop authoritarianism, protect your liberties, and build a brighter future for the families of Pennsylvania's 1st District.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-405249-2026-02-17\" id=\"heading-key-message-405249-2026-02-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-405249-2026-02-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-405249-2026-02-17\" 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-405249-2026-02-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-405249-2026-02-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Justice for All: The law applies to everyone — no exceptions. Those who break it must be held accountable, and that standard has to be highest for the people entrusted with public power.</li><li>Defend Our Liberties: Your constitutional rights are under attack. Americans who publicly oppose the government are being intimidated, imprisoned, or worse. The integrity of our elections — the foundation of everything — is being undermined. As your Congressman, I will fight to defend your freedom.</li><li>A New Compact: This administration has upended the traditional agreements between government and the people. Now, we decide what comes next — and that means redefining how government to protects and supports Americans.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-405249-2026-02-17\" id=\"heading1-405249-2026-02-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-405249-2026-02-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-405249-2026-02-17\" 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=\"heading1-405249-2026-02-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-405249-2026-02-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tFor nearly 20 years, I worked around to protect American citizens abroad. I'm passionate about stopping authoritarianism and defending our Constitutional freedoms, including the right to privacy in the digital age.\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\nMichael Zeltakalns completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zeltakalns' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Democrat, Veteran, Public Servant: Mike's commitment to public service started at 16, when he joined his local volunteer first aid squad and became an EMT. In the wake of 9/11, he enlisted in the United States Navy, becoming the third generation of his family to serve. Mike has always raised his hand for the hardest jobs. During the 2007 surge, he deployed with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit to Iraq serving alongside some of the bravest men and women in uniform. After his honorable discharge in 2013, Mike joined the U.S. State Department, where he worked to protect American citizens during crises abroad — natural disasters, political unrest, and disease outbreaks. Every time his country called, Mike answered. He's raising his hand again — to stop authoritarianism, protect your liberties, and build a brighter future for the families of Pennsylvania's 1st District. 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? Justice for All: The law applies to everyone — no exceptions. Those who break it must be held accountable, and that standard has to be highest for the people entrusted with public power. Defend Our Liberties: Your constitutional rights are under attack. Americans who publicly oppose the government are being intimidated, imprisoned, or worse. The integrity of our elections — the foundation of everything — is being undermined. As your Congressman, I will fight to defend your freedom. A New Compact: This administration has upended the traditional agreements between government and the people. Now, we decide what comes next — and that means redefining how government to protects and supports Americans. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? For nearly 20 years, I worked around to protect American citizens abroad. I'm passionate about stopping authoritarianism and defending our Constitutional freedoms, including the right to privacy in the digital age.\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."}]