Voters Guide US House of Representatives, Second District
Republican Candidates for US House of Representatives, Second District
CANDIDATE Robert Lawrence Fluharty
County of residence Jefferson
Party Republican
Biography
Robert Fluharty is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and WV Air National Guard. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree from Marshall University and a Graduate Certificate from American Military University. Lifetime resident of WV, he worked 12-years in the medical field and currently works as a licensed WV investigator corroborating the integrity of government employees.
Question 1. What changes in federal laws would you favor that would better protect people and our water resources from chemical spills?
Response: Because water is the resource of life, potable water must be protected. The federal government’s responsibility is to advise and support the states in their duty to safeguard all resources. The regulations should come from the individual states, according to the constitution. I would support federal legislation to require visibility/publication of all chemicals used or introduced into the environment.
Question 2. What steps should the federal government take to reduce the number of Americans living in poverty?
Response: Quick fixes to poverty like increasing minimum wage limits are overcome by inflation and create a cyclical effect where the poor will never get ahead. The real fix is through reversing inflation by limiting the currency dump by the Federal Reserve to a point of stagflation. Audit the Federal Reserve and protect the value of the dollar.
Question 3. In view of recent Supreme Court decisions, what steps do you think Congress should take to protect the rights of all American voters?
Response: Chief Justice John Roberts said, “Our country has changed, and while any racial discrimination in voting is too much, Congress must ensure that the legislation it passes to remedy that problem speaks to current conditions.” If elected I would support a new coverage formula that advances America further towards the point where the VRA in not needed.
CANDIDATE Steve Harrison
County of residence Kanawha
Party Republican
Biography
Steve is a native West Virginian and a graduate of Sissonville High School and Brown University, where he was a District 1 Academic All-American in football. He served in the West Virginia House and Senate for a total of 14 years. Steve has been married to Kristen for 21 years and they have twins, Benjamin and Maggie. www.ElectSteveHarrison.com
Question 1. What changes in federal laws would you favor that would better protect people and our water resources from chemical spills?
Response: Different levels of government should help ensure certain protections. While the federal government over regulates in many areas, there should be oversight to ensure the safety of our water supply and other essential needs. The state is taking steps to help prevent negligent chemical spills and the federal government should ensure our water is safe from intentional attacks.
Question 2. What steps should the federal government take to reduce the number of Americans living in poverty?
Response: The best way out of poverty is a good job. I have a proven record of working for a better economy and was named one of the “Best for Jobs” when I was in the legislature. In Congress, I would work for policies that help the private sector create jobs.
Question 3. In view of recent Supreme Court decisions, what steps do you think Congress should take to protect the rights of all American voters?
Response: Many have fought to protect the freedoms we have in our great nation, including the right to elect our leaders. We must not allow vote fraud to devalue the votes of American citizens. We should help ensure clean elections by requiring each of us to show identification when we vote.
CANDIDATE Charlotte Lane
County of residence Kanawha
Party Republican
Biography
Native West Virginian and proven Republican leader. Graduate of Marshal University & WVU School of Law. First female President of the West Virginia Bar Association. Former House of Delegates member, former Chairman of the WV Public Service Commission, and most recently served as International Trade Commissioner under President George W. Bush.
Question 1. What changes in federal laws would you favor that would better protect people and our water resources from chemical spills?
Response: I do not believe that changes in federal law would have prevented the chemical spill that took place in the Elk River, nor am I aware of any proposed changes in federal law that I could support. The state legislature just passed a new law that should prevent something like this from happening in the future.
Question 2. What steps should the federal government take to reduce the number of Americans living in poverty?
Response: Under President Obama, the massive expansion of the government over the last six years has dramatically widened the income gap between the rich and the poor. There is a direct correlation between the expansion of government and the retraction of economic prosperity. I believe we need to encourage job creators, not discourage them with overregulation and over taxation.
Question 3. In view of recent Supreme Court decisions, what steps do you think Congress should take to protect the rights of all American voters?
Response: State governments, normally the Secretary of State, have jurisdiction over the election process and have been tasked with maintaining the Constitutional right of citizens to vote. As with other processes of functional government, the judicial branch of government will intervene if rights are violated.
CANDIDATE Alex X. Mooney
County Jefferson
Party Republican
Candidate did not reply
CANDIDATE Jim Moss
County of residence Putnam
Party Republican
Biography
Cost Management specialist with Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Buffalo, WV. Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University Institute of Technology and MBA from the University of South Carolina. Native of Dunbar and graduate of Dunbar High School. Born again Christian. Running for Congress in obedience to the Lord’s calling upon my life. Please visit: http://jimmossforcongress.weebly.com
Question 1. What changes in federal laws would you favor that would better protect people and our water resources from chemical spills?
Response: I don’t believe that the federal government should have any role in protecting our water resources from chemical spills. First, WV lawmakers and WV DEP should assure state laws are in place to protect our water resources. Second, WVAW management should know what is going on above its sole water intake. Local responsibility was and is still needed!
Question 2. What steps should the federal government take to reduce the number of Americans living in poverty?
Response: None. States and communities should have responsibility for poverty! Relying on Federal government to take care of us allows us to make poor decisions as a state. If West Virginia politicians were held accountable for our poor then they would be forced to encourage job growth and work harder to ensure our young people complete their high school education. (fact: (Exceeded word limit)
Question 3. In view of recent Supreme Court decisions, what steps do you think Congress should take to protect the rights of all American voters?
Response: Repeal the 17th amendment, restore state legislators power in D.C. Today those who make, interpret, and enforce the law are not guided by the United States Constitution—the supreme law of the land—as it was originally written. Politicians in Washington today are only beholden to special interests groups not “states or voters”. Respect for our Constitution must be restored.
CANDIDATE Ken Reed
County of residence Morgan
Party Republican
Candidate did not reply
CANDIDATE Ron Walters Jr.
County of residence Kanawha
Party Republican
Candidate did not reply
Democratic Candidates for US House of Representatives, Second District CANDIDATE Nick Casey
County of residence Kanawha
Party Democratic
Biography
I’ve been a lawyer and an accountant for 37 years. My wife, Mary, and I were born and have lived worked in West Virginia all of our lives. We are blessed that our two children are living and working in WV. I’m active with my church’s charities and enjoy spending part of my summers working on homes in Clay County. nickcaseyforwv.com
Question 1. What changes in federal laws would you favor that would better protect people and our water resources from chemical spills?
Response: I support a regular inspection process for chemical storage tanks. Our water utilities need to have better emergency planning. Our water infrastructure, and filters, needs repaired and upgraded. We have too many water main breaks, leaks, and service disruptions. We should have a secondary in-take and backup supplies. All basic things an advanced nation like America should have.
Question 2. What steps should the federal government take to reduce the number of Americans living in poverty?
Response: We need more people to enter the workforce and get off government assistance. Raising the minimum wage, job training, and drug rehabilitation will help. Sound budgeting, a top-to-bottom review of the tax code, and a greater investment into our crumbling infrastructure will create jobs. I’m an accountant and know how to set financial priorities and fund them.
Question 3. In view of recent Supreme Court decisions, what steps do you think Congress should take to protect the rights of all American voters?
Response: Citizens United must be overturned. The Supreme Court should have never allowed unlimited secret campaign donations to fund ads. Voters deserve to know the source of campaign ads to enable them to make an informed decision on their truthfulness. Our laws must make voting accessible to all voters. Efforts to restrict early voting, for example, are reprehensible.
CANDIDATE Meshea Poore
County of residence Kanawha
Party Democratic
Biography
I am a member of the WV Legislature with five years of service. I was born in Charleston and graduated from Capitol High School. As a first generation college graduate, I earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and a law degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA.
Question 1. What changes in federal laws would you favor that would better protect people and our water resources from chemical spills?
Response: As a member of the WV Legislature, I championed amendments to the chemical spill bill to help prevent the next crisis from happening. The protection of America’s water supply can’t remain a back-burner issue in Congress. We have to change the way we register and monitor above-ground chemical tanks near water resources to ensure that we are protecting all Americans.
Question 2. What steps should the federal government take to reduce the number of Americans living in poverty?
Response: Poverty affects us all. When we continue to allow Americans to live in poverty we keep our country from being as strong as it can be both nationally and internationally. The first step that can be taken by the federal government is to increase the minimum wage.
Question 3. In view of recent Supreme Court decisions, what steps do you think Congress should take to protect the rights of all American voters?
Response: Congress should take steps to make voting more efficient and less burdensome for every valid legal age citizen. The right to vote is the great equalizer. Every American voice matters regardless of their education, gender, race or social economic background. Congress’ actions should never disenfranchise a registered voter.
May 2014 Primary US House of Representatives, Second District web.docx