Alex Thymmons

[{"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>Alex Thymmons 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 Thymmons' 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-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading-bio-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-380774-2025-10-14\" 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-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 first-generation American who learned to read by candlelight under communism, and who came to this country as a teenager chasing freedom. My first job in America was cleaning floors and toilets in a warehouse to help my family make rent. Months after I graduated from high school as Valedictorian… 9/11 happened. At that moment, I understood that the American Dream was never just about opportunity; it was about duty. So, after earning my citizenship, I walked into an Army recruiter’s office. I led an infantry platoon in combat during the Baghdad surge, where I saw friends… heroes… give everything, so that others could live free. Later, I commanded a detachment in a special operations task force in Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. I served with patriots in our intelligence community and worked alongside our NATO allies as an Eisenhower PhD Fellow, researcher, and scholar. Here, in Virginia, I built a family, a business, and a life of service: all while delivering aid in Ukraine with Rotary International, searching for missing Americans in Syria, and advising Members of Congress on energy and defense challenges at home and abroad. With graduate degrees in both national and international security, I’ve taught generals and ambassadors how to keep our edge and advised the White House and industry on how to power the future, ensuring America leads in energy, cyber, and artificial intelligence.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading-key-message-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-380774-2025-10-14\" 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-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Restoring the American Dream. I came to this country as a teenager with nothing but a belief that hard work and faith in The Lord could build a better life. Today, too many families in my district feel that promise slipping away. Wages can’t keep up, homes are out of reach, and the dream of building something lasting feels harder every year. My campaign is about restoring that promise. It’s about making sure that every Virginian can own a home, afford energy, start a business, and give their kids a future that’s brighter than their own.</li><li>Energy Independence and Affordability. Energy is the foundation of every strong nation; it powers our homes, our jobs, and our security. I’ve spent years studying and advising on how to make America more resilient, with a PhD in energy resilience and an MBA in leadership and data science. I’ve seen how rising energy costs eat into paychecks and weaken communities. That’s why I’m focused on building reliable, local power generation; projects that create good jobs, lower bills, and make Virginia a leader in clean, secure, and affordable energy. This isn’t about politics; it’s about making sure families can keep the lights on, businesses can grow, and America stays strong and self-reliant in the years ahead.</li><li>Service, Security, and Hope. I’ve led Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, worked with our intelligence community, and stood beside our allies abroad. I’ve seen both the cost of freedom and the strength of the human spirit when people come together for something bigger than themselves. Now, I’m running to serve again; to protect our communities, defend our values, and restore a sense of hope for our youth. Too many young Americans are losing faith in the future, and that’s not who we are. We’re a nation that believes tomorrow can be better than today, if we’re willing to work for it. That’s what I want to fight for: an America that lives up to its promise, that honors service above self, and that leaves no one behind.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading1-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading1-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’m also passionate about the kind of service that begins in the community and extends across borders. As a past VFW Post Commander and District Commander, I’ve worked to support veterans and raise funds for programs that help those struggling with PTSD. As a former Rotary International Club President, I’ve delivered humanitarian aid in Ukraine; seeing firsthand how American generosity brings hope to people in crisis. And earlier this year, I became the first American Army veteran to enter Damascus after the fall of the Assad regime; searching for missing Americans in Syria. Those experiences taught me that real leadership isn’t about titles or politics; it’s about showing up, serving others, and standing up for those who can’t stand alone.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading2-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading2-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 Jesus Christ; the true servant leader, the Lamb and the Lion. He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. His strength was not in armies or titles, but in truth, love, mercy, and sacrifice. When the proud sought power, He knelt to wash the feet of others. When the world offered comfort, He chose the cross. In His words, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” That is the model I try to follow; to lead by faith, to speak truth with love, and to serve others with the same humility and courage that He showed from Galilee to Calvary.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading3-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 qualities in an elected official are integrity, courage, and service. Integrity means telling the truth, even when it costs you politically. Courage means making hard choices guided by principle, not polls. And service means remembering that leadership is about lifting others, not elevating yourself. The best officials stay grounded in the people they represent; they listen before they speak, lead by example, and never forget that public office is a trust, not a trophy.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading4-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 anyone elected to Congress is to serve the people, not a party or special interest. That means listening to constituents first, understanding their struggles, and translating that into action that makes daily life better: lowering costs, strengthening security, and protecting opportunity. It also means oversight: holding government accountable, ensuring taxpayer money is spent wisely, and defending the Constitution at all times. Above all, the job is about stewardship; leaving the nation stronger, freer, and more united than when you found it.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading5-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 used to think changing the world meant doing something big: passing laws, leading missions, shaping policy. But over time I’ve learned that real change begins with being a good husband, a present father, a steady neighbor, a man of service in his community. I want my legacy to be measured in the lives I’ve touched: the friend I encouraged, the veteran I helped, the child who saw that integrity still matters. I may not change the whole world, but if I can change it for one person at a time, then I’ve done what God put me here to do.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading6-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 first historical event I remember was the Romanian Revolution of 1989. I was seven years old, a child learning to read by candlelight because electricity was rationed under communism. I can still recall the chill in the air, the low hum of fear that filled every home, and the quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, life could change. My parents would huddle by the radio late at night, listening to forbidden broadcasts from the West, while I sat beside them tracing words in the dim flicker of a candle. That was when I first understood that freedom isn’t something you inherit; it’s something people fight for, protect, and sometimes sacrifice everything to keep.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading7-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading7-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 first job in America was cleaning floors and toilets in a warehouse while I was still in high school. I barely spoke English then; and honestly, I learned more Spanish than English from my coworkers. But I showed up early, worked hard, and took pride in doing the job right. Within two years, that same work ethic got me promoted all the way to personal assistant to the CEO. It was my first real lesson in the American Dream: no matter where you start, if you work hard and never quit, you can rise.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading8-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading8-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 the Bible. It’s more than a book; it’s a guide, a compass, and a reminder that strength begins with humility and faith. Every time I open it, I find something new: wisdom for leadership, comfort in struggle, and courage for the road ahead. The Bible grounds me; it reminds me that purpose doesn’t come from power or position, but from serving others and walking in truth. It’s shaped every part of who I am; as a husband, a father, and a man trying to live by faith in both words and deeds.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading9-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading9-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-380774-2025-10-14\" 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\tIf I could be any fictional character, I’d choose Arjuna from the Bhagavad Gita. His story speaks to the struggle between duty and doubt; the moment when a warrior stands at the edge of battle, torn between what’s right and what’s easy. Arjuna’s journey isn’t just about war; it’s about faith, clarity, and surrendering ego to a higher purpose. Like him, I’ve learned that true strength isn’t found in victory alone, but in the courage to act with conscience; to fight for what is just, even when the path is hard or lonely.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading10-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading10-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-380774-2025-10-14\" 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\tOne of my biggest struggles has been learning to slow down; to balance purpose with peace. I’ve spent much of my life in motion: deployments, service, school, work, always pushing for the next goal. But being a husband and a father has taught me that strength isn’t only about endurance; it’s about presence. I’ve had to learn that leading my family and showing up for my community require as much discipline as any mission I’ve ever taken on. My challenge has been learning to measure success not by how much I do, but by how deeply I serve the people right in front of me.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading11-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading11-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 because it stands closest to the heartbeat of the nation; it is where the voices of everyday Americans meet the machinery of government. Its members face voters every two years, ensuring that the debates in Washington never drift too far from the kitchen tables of the people they serve. The House captures the urgency, diversity, and energy of democracy in motion. It brings together farmers and teachers, veterans and entrepreneurs, communities from every corner of this country, each carrying their own story and struggle. That constant renewal is both a challenge and a gift; it keeps the institution humble, restless, and responsive. And when it works as intended, the House reminds us that America’s strength has always come from one simple truth: when the people speak, government must listen.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading12-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading12-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-380774-2025-10-14\" 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\tExperience in government can be valuable; but it isn’t everything. What matters most is whether a representative understands the people they serve and has the courage to lead with integrity. Those who’ve worked inside the system bring knowledge of how laws are made and how to get things done. But those who’ve lived outside it often bring the perspective and urgency that Washington needs. The best Congress blends both: the experienced hand who knows the process and the fresh voice who remembers why it exists. In the end, what counts isn’t how long someone’s been in politics, but whether they still listen, still care, and still remember who they’re fighting for.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading13-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading13-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-380774-2025-10-14\" 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\tOver the next decade, America’s greatest challenge will be confronting a rising China while restoring the credibility of our leadership among allies. China is not just a competitor; it is a strategic rival seeking to reshape the global order in ways that weaken freedom and undermine democratic values. Meeting that challenge requires more than military strength; it demands renewed trust. Our allies must once again believe that America keeps its word, honors its commitments, and leads with both resolve and consistency. We need to rebuild our manufacturing and technological base at home while deepening partnerships abroad—especially with NATO, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and India—to deter aggression and protect the global balance of power. Restoring credibility starts with competence, unity, and the understanding that American strength is magnified, not diminished, when we lead through alliances grounded in shared purpose.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading14-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading14-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 the current two-year terms in the House are too short to serve the people effectively. Representatives spend nearly half their time campaigning for the next election instead of focusing on long-term solutions. It creates a cycle of short-term thinking and constant fundraising that weakens accountability and leadership. Extending the term to four years would give members enough time to learn the job, build relationships across party lines, and deliver measurable results without the distraction of perpetual campaigning.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading15-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading15-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 that limiting service to eight years keeps representatives accountable while preventing the rise of entrenched, career politicians. Two-year cycles force members to stay close to the voters; they must earn the public’s trust often. But an eight-year cap ensures they don’t make Congress a lifetime job. Eight years gives enough time to learn the system, pass meaningful legislation, and mentor new leaders, while guaranteeing regular turnover and fresh ideas. It balances experience with renewal, ensuring that power remains with the people, not with politicians who grow comfortable in Washington.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading16-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading16-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 leader I most identify with is Theodore Roosevelt. He embodied a rare blend of toughness, intellect, and moral clarity; a man who believed that service demanded both courage in battle and compassion in governance. Roosevelt lived by the principle that leadership means action: confronting corruption, protecting natural resources, and standing up for the ordinary American against powerful interests. He showed that patriotism isn’t noise or anger; it’s hard work and personal accountability. I admire how he led from the front, spoke plainly, and never asked others to do what he wouldn’t do himself. That spirit of grit, reform, and relentless energy is exactly what I aim to bring to public service today.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading17-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading17-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-380774-2025-10-14\" 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\tA few days before the shutdown, I met a single mother who worked for a federal agency in our district. She told me that even though she had a full-time job serving her country, her paycheck no longer stretched far enough to cover rent, childcare, and groceries. She had begun visiting food pantries to keep food on the table for her kids; and she said what scared her most wasn’t hunger, but the feeling that no one in Washington seemed to care. That conversation stayed with me. When the shutdown began, I declared a hunger strike because I couldn’t stand by while mothers like her were forced to skip meals so their children could eat. Leaders shouldn’t live above the pain of the people they represent. If families in our communities are suffering, then we have a duty to share that burden until it’s lifted.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading18-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading18-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-380774-2025-10-14\" 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\tYes, compromise is both necessary and desirable for policymaking; because no single person or party has a monopoly on the truth. America’s strength has always come from its ability to bring different people together around shared goals. Today, polarization has made too many leaders forget that. We can debate ideas fiercely, but at the end of the day, our duty is to put the American people and the national interest first. Real leadership means finding common ground without abandoning principle; working across divides so that progress isn’t held hostage by partisanship. Compromise, when rooted in integrity and service, isn’t weakness; it’s how democracy works.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading19-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading19-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 Constitution gives the House the power to originate all bills for raising revenue because it was designed to keep taxation closest to the people. If elected, I’d use that responsibility to make sure every dollar collected and spent helps restore the American Dream; not bureaucracies or special interests. My priority would be to restore fiscal discipline and fairness: lowering taxes for the middle class, cutting waste, and ensuring every budget reflects real accountability. The power to raise revenue is also the power to set priorities, and mine would be simple: to make life more affordable, invest in energy and infrastructure that create jobs, and protect the taxpayers who make this country work.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading20-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading20-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 House’s investigative power is one of its most important responsibilities; it’s how Congress holds government accountable to the people. I’ve seen that work up close, having helped conduct congressional investigations as a staffer on the Hill. When used properly, this power isn’t about headlines or partisanship; it’s about uncovering facts, protecting taxpayers, and ensuring that agencies, contractors, and officials operate with transparency and integrity. If elected, I’d use that experience to make sure oversight stays focused on truth and results; investigations that fix problems, not fuel division. Accountability is how we rebuild public trust, and the House must never shy away from that duty.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading21-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse21-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tCandidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading21-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse21-380774-2025-10-14\" 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\tOne story that really stayed with me came from a small business owner in Prince William County. He told me his family’s utility bills had doubled over the last few years; not because of waste, but because massive data centers nearby were consuming so much electricity and water that the cost was being passed on to residents. Around the same time, big investment companies started buying up homes in his neighborhood, driving prices beyond what most working families could afford. He said, “I love my community, but it’s getting harder to stay here.” That conversation stuck with me because it captured something deeper than economics: it was about belonging. When the cost of living pushes families out of the very communities they built, something’s gone wrong. That’s why I’m fighting for smart growth, fair energy policy, and a housing market that puts families, not corporations, first.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading22-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse22-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-380774-2025-10-14\" 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=\"heading22-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse22-380774-2025-10-14\" 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\tOne of the accomplishments I’m proud of is my recent work with the White House, congressional offices, and energy industry leaders on grid resilience and smart-energy legislation. I focused on modernizing America’s power infrastructure: building a framework for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), expanding smart-grid technologies, and setting standards for how data centers integrate into our energy system. These efforts are critical for long-term energy security, lowering electricity costs for families, and ensuring America maintains global leadership in next-generation AI and energy innovation. But I also believe Congress must act faster to help families right now; through targeted incentives, streamlined permitting for local power generation, and policies that make power both affordable and reliable in the short term. Long-term resilience and immediate relief must go hand in hand.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading23-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse23-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading23-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse23-380774-2025-10-14\" 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 federal government must take an active but disciplined role in the development and use of artificial intelligence. We are in a global race for AI dominance, and if America falls behind, we risk losing both economic and national security leadership to adversaries like China. But leadership in AI must be built responsibly; grounded in energy resilience, security, and transparency. As data centers multiply to power AI systems, they are driving up electricity and water demand, straining local grids, and raising costs for families. The government’s role should be to set clear national standards that balance innovation with infrastructure; investing in next-generation power and cooling technologies, securing the data that trains AI, and ensuring that every advancement serves the American people first. We must win the AI race, but do it in a way that strengthens our grid, safeguards our communities, and keeps America both free and competitive.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-380774-2025-10-14\" id=\"heading24-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse24-380774-2025-10-14\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-380774-2025-10-14\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading24-380774-2025-10-14\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse24-380774-2025-10-14\" 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\tMandating uniform, federal standards to enhance election integrity and prevent voter fraud by requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration; enforcing a strict nationwide rule that all ballots must be received by Election Day, even if mailed earlier; and imposing new federal standards on voting technology, such as requiring a voter-verifiable paper record while restricting systems that rely on barcodes for counting. Additionally, I support legislation to ban the use of private funding for election operations at the state and local levels, ensuring that only public funds are used for election administration.\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\nAlex Thymmons completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Thymmons' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a first-generation American who learned to read by candlelight under communism, and who came to this country as a teenager chasing freedom. My first job in America was cleaning floors and toilets in a warehouse to help my family make rent. Months after I graduated from high school as Valedictorian… 9/11 happened. At that moment, I understood that the American Dream was never just about opportunity; it was about duty. So, after earning my citizenship, I walked into an Army recruiter’s office. I led an infantry platoon in combat during the Baghdad surge, where I saw friends… heroes… give everything, so that others could live free. Later, I commanded a detachment in a special operations task force in Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. I served with patriots in our intelligence community and worked alongside our NATO allies as an Eisenhower PhD Fellow, researcher, and scholar. Here, in Virginia, I built a family, a business, and a life of service: all while delivering aid in Ukraine with Rotary International, searching for missing Americans in Syria, and advising Members of Congress on energy and defense challenges at home and abroad. With graduate degrees in both national and international security, I’ve taught generals and ambassadors how to keep our edge and advised the White House and industry on how to power the future, ensuring America leads in energy, cyber, and artificial intelligence. 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? Restoring the American Dream. I came to this country as a teenager with nothing but a belief that hard work and faith in The Lord could build a better life. Today, too many families in my district feel that promise slipping away. Wages can’t keep up, homes are out of reach, and the dream of building something lasting feels harder every year. My campaign is about restoring that promise. It’s about making sure that every Virginian can own a home, afford energy, start a business, and give their kids a future that’s brighter than their own. Energy Independence and Affordability. Energy is the foundation of every strong nation; it powers our homes, our jobs, and our security. I’ve spent years studying and advising on how to make America more resilient, with a PhD in energy resilience and an MBA in leadership and data science. I’ve seen how rising energy costs eat into paychecks and weaken communities. That’s why I’m focused on building reliable, local power generation; projects that create good jobs, lower bills, and make Virginia a leader in clean, secure, and affordable energy. This isn’t about politics; it’s about making sure families can keep the lights on, businesses can grow, and America stays strong and self-reliant in the years ahead. Service, Security, and Hope. I’ve led Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, worked with our intelligence community, and stood beside our allies abroad. I’ve seen both the cost of freedom and the strength of the human spirit when people come together for something bigger than themselves. Now, I’m running to serve again; to protect our communities, defend our values, and restore a sense of hope for our youth. Too many young Americans are losing faith in the future, and that’s not who we are. We’re a nation that believes tomorrow can be better than today, if we’re willing to work for it. That’s what I want to fight for: an America that lives up to its promise, that honors service above self, and that leaves no one behind. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I’m also passionate about the kind of service that begins in the community and extends across borders. As a past VFW Post Commander and District Commander, I’ve worked to support veterans and raise funds for programs that help those struggling with PTSD. As a former Rotary International Club President, I’ve delivered humanitarian aid in Ukraine; seeing firsthand how American generosity brings hope to people in crisis. And earlier this year, I became the first American Army veteran to enter Damascus after the fall of the Assad regime; searching for missing Americans in Syria. Those experiences taught me that real leadership isn’t about titles or politics; it’s about showing up, serving others, and standing up for those who can’t stand alone. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to Jesus Christ; the true servant leader, the Lamb and the Lion. He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. His strength was not in armies or titles, but in truth, love, mercy, and sacrifice. When the proud sought power, He knelt to wash the feet of others. When the world offered comfort, He chose the cross. In His words, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” That is the model I try to follow; to lead by faith, to speak truth with love, and to serve others with the same humility and courage that He showed from Galilee to Calvary. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? The most important qualities in an elected official are integrity, courage, and service. Integrity means telling the truth, even when it costs you politically. Courage means making hard choices guided by principle, not polls. And service means remembering that leadership is about lifting others, not elevating yourself. The best officials stay grounded in the people they represent; they listen before they speak, lead by example, and never forget that public office is a trust, not a trophy. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The core responsibility of anyone elected to Congress is to serve the people, not a party or special interest. That means listening to constituents first, understanding their struggles, and translating that into action that makes daily life better: lowering costs, strengthening security, and protecting opportunity. It also means oversight: holding government accountable, ensuring taxpayer money is spent wisely, and defending the Constitution at all times. Above all, the job is about stewardship; leaving the nation stronger, freer, and more united than when you found it. What legacy would you like to leave? I used to think changing the world meant doing something big: passing laws, leading missions, shaping policy. But over time I’ve learned that real change begins with being a good husband, a present father, a steady neighbor, a man of service in his community. I want my legacy to be measured in the lives I’ve touched: the friend I encouraged, the veteran I helped, the child who saw that integrity still matters. I may not change the whole world, but if I can change it for one person at a time, then I’ve done what God put me here to do. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? The first historical event I remember was the Romanian Revolution of 1989. I was seven years old, a child learning to read by candlelight because electricity was rationed under communism. I can still recall the chill in the air, the low hum of fear that filled every home, and the quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, life could change. My parents would huddle by the radio late at night, listening to forbidden broadcasts from the West, while I sat beside them tracing words in the dim flicker of a candle. That was when I first understood that freedom isn’t something you inherit; it’s something people fight for, protect, and sometimes sacrifice everything to keep. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My first job in America was cleaning floors and toilets in a warehouse while I was still in high school. I barely spoke English then; and honestly, I learned more Spanish than English from my coworkers. But I showed up early, worked hard, and took pride in doing the job right. Within two years, that same work ethic got me promoted all the way to personal assistant to the CEO. It was my first real lesson in the American Dream: no matter where you start, if you work hard and never quit, you can rise. What is your favorite book? Why? My favorite book is the Bible. It’s more than a book; it’s a guide, a compass, and a reminder that strength begins with humility and faith. Every time I open it, I find something new: wisdom for leadership, comfort in struggle, and courage for the road ahead. The Bible grounds me; it reminds me that purpose doesn’t come from power or position, but from serving others and walking in truth. It’s shaped every part of who I am; as a husband, a father, and a man trying to live by faith in both words and deeds. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? If I could be any fictional character, I’d choose Arjuna from the Bhagavad Gita. His story speaks to the struggle between duty and doubt; the moment when a warrior stands at the edge of battle, torn between what’s right and what’s easy. Arjuna’s journey isn’t just about war; it’s about faith, clarity, and surrendering ego to a higher purpose. Like him, I’ve learned that true strength isn’t found in victory alone, but in the courage to act with conscience; to fight for what is just, even when the path is hard or lonely. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? One of my biggest struggles has been learning to slow down; to balance purpose with peace. I’ve spent much of my life in motion: deployments, service, school, work, always pushing for the next goal. But being a husband and a father has taught me that strength isn’t only about endurance; it’s about presence. I’ve had to learn that leading my family and showing up for my community require as much discipline as any mission I’ve ever taken on. My challenge has been learning to measure success not by how much I do, but by how deeply I serve the people right in front of me. 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 because it stands closest to the heartbeat of the nation; it is where the voices of everyday Americans meet the machinery of government. Its members face voters every two years, ensuring that the debates in Washington never drift too far from the kitchen tables of the people they serve. The House captures the urgency, diversity, and energy of democracy in motion. It brings together farmers and teachers, veterans and entrepreneurs, communities from every corner of this country, each carrying their own story and struggle. That constant renewal is both a challenge and a gift; it keeps the institution humble, restless, and responsive. And when it works as intended, the House reminds us that America’s strength has always come from one simple truth: when the people speak, government must listen. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? Experience in government can be valuable; but it isn’t everything. What matters most is whether a representative understands the people they serve and has the courage to lead with integrity. Those who’ve worked inside the system bring knowledge of how laws are made and how to get things done. But those who’ve lived outside it often bring the perspective and urgency that Washington needs. The best Congress blends both: the experienced hand who knows the process and the fresh voice who remembers why it exists. In the end, what counts isn’t how long someone’s been in politics, but whether they still listen, still care, and still remember who they’re fighting for. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Over the next decade, America’s greatest challenge will be confronting a rising China while restoring the credibility of our leadership among allies. China is not just a competitor; it is a strategic rival seeking to reshape the global order in ways that weaken freedom and undermine democratic values. Meeting that challenge requires more than military strength; it demands renewed trust. Our allies must once again believe that America keeps its word, honors its commitments, and leads with both resolve and consistency. We need to rebuild our manufacturing and technological base at home while deepening partnerships abroad—especially with NATO, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and India—to deter aggression and protect the global balance of power. Restoring credibility starts with competence, unity, and the understanding that American strength is magnified, not diminished, when we lead through alliances grounded in shared purpose. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? I believe the current two-year terms in the House are too short to serve the people effectively. Representatives spend nearly half their time campaigning for the next election instead of focusing on long-term solutions. It creates a cycle of short-term thinking and constant fundraising that weakens accountability and leadership. Extending the term to four years would give members enough time to learn the job, build relationships across party lines, and deliver measurable results without the distraction of perpetual campaigning. What are your thoughts on term limits? I believe that limiting service to eight years keeps representatives accountable while preventing the rise of entrenched, career politicians. Two-year cycles force members to stay close to the voters; they must earn the public’s trust often. But an eight-year cap ensures they don’t make Congress a lifetime job. Eight years gives enough time to learn the system, pass meaningful legislation, and mentor new leaders, while guaranteeing regular turnover and fresh ideas. It balances experience with renewal, ensuring that power remains with the people, not with politicians who grow comfortable in Washington. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? The leader I most identify with is Theodore Roosevelt. He embodied a rare blend of toughness, intellect, and moral clarity; a man who believed that service demanded both courage in battle and compassion in governance. Roosevelt lived by the principle that leadership means action: confronting corruption, protecting natural resources, and standing up for the ordinary American against powerful interests. He showed that patriotism isn’t noise or anger; it’s hard work and personal accountability. I admire how he led from the front, spoke plainly, and never asked others to do what he wouldn’t do himself. That spirit of grit, reform, and relentless energy is exactly what I aim to bring to public service today. 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? A few days before the shutdown, I met a single mother who worked for a federal agency in our district. She told me that even though she had a full-time job serving her country, her paycheck no longer stretched far enough to cover rent, childcare, and groceries. She had begun visiting food pantries to keep food on the table for her kids; and she said what scared her most wasn’t hunger, but the feeling that no one in Washington seemed to care. That conversation stayed with me. When the shutdown began, I declared a hunger strike because I couldn’t stand by while mothers like her were forced to skip meals so their children could eat. Leaders shouldn’t live above the pain of the people they represent. If families in our communities are suffering, then we have a duty to share that burden until it’s lifted. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Yes, compromise is both necessary and desirable for policymaking; because no single person or party has a monopoly on the truth. America’s strength has always come from its ability to bring different people together around shared goals. Today, polarization has made too many leaders forget that. We can debate ideas fiercely, but at the end of the day, our duty is to put the American people and the national interest first. Real leadership means finding common ground without abandoning principle; working across divides so that progress isn’t held hostage by partisanship. Compromise, when rooted in integrity and service, isn’t weakness; it’s how democracy works. 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? The Constitution gives the House the power to originate all bills for raising revenue because it was designed to keep taxation closest to the people. If elected, I’d use that responsibility to make sure every dollar collected and spent helps restore the American Dream; not bureaucracies or special interests. My priority would be to restore fiscal discipline and fairness: lowering taxes for the middle class, cutting waste, and ensuring every budget reflects real accountability. The power to raise revenue is also the power to set priorities, and mine would be simple: to make life more affordable, invest in energy and infrastructure that create jobs, and protect the taxpayers who make this country work. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? The House’s investigative power is one of its most important responsibilities; it’s how Congress holds government accountable to the people. I’ve seen that work up close, having helped conduct congressional investigations as a staffer on the Hill. When used properly, this power isn’t about headlines or partisanship; it’s about uncovering facts, protecting taxpayers, and ensuring that agencies, contractors, and officials operate with transparency and integrity. If elected, I’d use that experience to make sure oversight stays focused on truth and results; investigations that fix problems, not fuel division. Accountability is how we rebuild public trust, and the House must never shy away from that duty. Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable? One story that really stayed with me came from a small business owner in Prince William County. He told me his family’s utility bills had doubled over the last few years; not because of waste, but because massive data centers nearby were consuming so much electricity and water that the cost was being passed on to residents. Around the same time, big investment companies started buying up homes in his neighborhood, driving prices beyond what most working families could afford. He said, “I love my community, but it’s getting harder to stay here.” That conversation stuck with me because it captured something deeper than economics: it was about belonging. When the cost of living pushes families out of the very communities they built, something’s gone wrong. That’s why I’m fighting for smart growth, fair energy policy, and a housing market that puts families, not corporations, first. What is an accomplishment that you are proud of? One of the accomplishments I’m proud of is my recent work with the White House, congressional offices, and energy industry leaders on grid resilience and smart-energy legislation. I focused on modernizing America’s power infrastructure: building a framework for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), expanding smart-grid technologies, and setting standards for how data centers integrate into our energy system. These efforts are critical for long-term energy security, lowering electricity costs for families, and ensuring America maintains global leadership in next-generation AI and energy innovation. But I also believe Congress must act faster to help families right now; through targeted incentives, streamlined permitting for local power generation, and policies that make power both affordable and reliable in the short term. Long-term resilience and immediate relief must go hand in hand. What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence? The federal government must take an active but disciplined role in the development and use of artificial intelligence. We are in a global race for AI dominance, and if America falls behind, we risk losing both economic and national security leadership to adversaries like China. But leadership in AI must be built responsibly; grounded in energy resilience, security, and transparency. As data centers multiply to power AI systems, they are driving up electricity and water demand, straining local grids, and raising costs for families. The government’s role should be to set clear national standards that balance innovation with infrastructure; investing in next-generation power and cooling technologies, securing the data that trains AI, and ensuring that every advancement serves the American people first. We must win the AI race, but do it in a way that strengthens our grid, safeguards our communities, and keeps America both free and competitive. What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States? Mandating uniform, federal standards to enhance election integrity and prevent voter fraud by requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration; enforcing a strict nationwide rule that all ballots must be received by Election Day, even if mailed earlier; and imposing new federal standards on voting technology, such as requiring a voter-verifiable paper record while restricting systems that rely on barcodes for counting. Additionally, I support legislation to ban the use of private funding for election operations at the state and local levels, ensuring that only public funds are used for election administration.\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."}]