Rock
Solid
LEADERSHIP
OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE
THE THINGS THAT MATTER MOST
FREEDOM
Virginians have a long and proud history of freedom, and I will stand against anything that threatens to diminish that freedom.
I believe in the core principles of Ronald Reagan: limited government, low taxes and the God-given gift of liberty. In an age of ever-increasing government intrusion and regulation, nothing is more important to our future prosperity than ensuring that we remain a free people.
TAXATION
I believe the problem is not that we are taxed too little, but that government spends too much. Over the past 10 years, our state budget has doubled. While our population and inflation have risen 3 percent per year, our budget has increased at a rate of 6 percent during the same period. Clearly, we have enough money. We need to better focus our spending priorities.
THE PEOPLE
I believe in the people of Southwest Virginia, not in the power brokers of Northern Virginia or anywhere else. Leadership means saying no to the moneyed interests when they subvert the will of the people. We need leaders who recognize and honor the trust given them by the people. The people of Southwest Virginia are not for sale.
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
I believe small businesses are the engine of Virginia’s economy. I ran my own business for 40 years, and as Roanoke’s mayor I led the fight for lower taxes, low-cost air service, regional cooperation and decreased regulation. We need to give small businesses the tools and the freedoms they need to succeed in a free-market society.
RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS
I believe that our Founding Fathers truly meant what they said in the Second Amendment. Government should not pass laws that abridge the citizens’ right to bear arms. An armed citizenry is a free citizenry.
FAITH
I believe in God, the sanctity of human life, and the necessity of the Golden Rule. Virginia was founded by men and women of faith, and so shall we always remain people of faith.
EDUCATION
I believe education is the key to the future of our Commonwealth. However, when it comes to the education of children, I trust parents more than I trust “experts” from the educational establishment. I am a strong advocate for school choice, in giving families the freedom to choose the environment and the mode of education they believe are best for their child.
IMMIGRATION
I believe that immigration has made America great. Illegal immigration, on the other hand, is killing us. I very much want people to come to Virginia from other countries. But not if they’re not willing to abide by the same rules as everyone else. Illegal immigration is costing Virginia hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Every year, 40 or more bills are introduced in the legislature to help stop the bleeding. Yet little is ever done. The time for talk is past. We need action.
PROPERTY RIGHTS
I believe that we can be free only to the extent that we can own private property and keep the government from seizing that property. While I recognize the necessity of the rare use of eminent domain for essential government infrastructure, I completely reject the Kelo ruling and any other argument for an expanded application of eminent domain.
CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP
I believe actions speak louder than words. I am a conservative out of conviction, not convenience, and I believe in voting on principle, not on expediency. That entails standing up for what is right, even when it’s not popular.