THE INDEPENDENT NEWS
VIRGINIA BEACH — This has been an odd year for all of us, and the pandemic has complicated a great many things, such as running for public office. The Independent News seeks to run robust Q&As for local offices, but this year we reached out to candidates seeking the Republican nominations to run for U.S. Senate or, in our local 2nd District, Congress, and asked whether they would answer some simple questions. Responses for the primary for party nominee to the 2nd District seat follow in ballot order. Our newspaper does not endorse candidates for political office. Please click this link for responses from candidates in the senate primary.
BEN LOYOLA JR.
Residence: Virginia Beach
Age: 58
Occupation: Owner, Loyola Enterprises
Military Service/Education Completed: U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering, 1983; U.S. Navy, 30 Years, Ret. Captain
Key endorsements: Former U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell, former U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes and State Sen. Bill DeSteph
Website: benloyola.com
Phone: (757) 793-5384
Email: ben@benloyola.com
Social media: @BenLoyolaforCongress on Facebook, @Loyola4Congress on Instagram and @LoyolaForVA on Twitter
What are your specific qualifications for this office and as the best Republican nominee? I have had a successful military career, a successful small business, and a wonderful and supportive family. I served our country for over thirty years. I have served our community as a Commissioner for the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. I have also been the chairman of the Commonwealth of Virginia Public School Authority. I want to continue my long history of service by serving the Second District in Washington. I will bring my common sense conservative principles to D.C. Elaine Luria has embraced the radical left and is very vulnerable. The recent special election in California’s 25th District in which fellow Naval Academy graduate and veteran Mike Garcia took back the seat for Republicans proves that having the right candidate matters. With my military, small business, and community leadership, I am the only Second District candidate who can defeat Elaine Luria.
What is the most important issue we face and how will you address it in office? The biggest challenge we face is getting our economy moving again. I am glad that Virginia is finally starting to reopen, but we must implement policies that will create an environment for businesses and people to not only recover but also to flourish. As a business owner and entrepreneur, I have experienced the challenges of leading a business to succeed in this highly over-regulated climate. While a lot of us are struggling to navigate the current crisis brought on by COVID-19, small businesses are especially hard hit. We must get them moving again. Another critical issue is eliminating our dependency on China for antibiotics, medical supplies, and other essential resources. The coronavirus pandemic and the many drug recalls in recent years expose how this has made American consumers highly vulnerable. I’ll work to bring the manufacture of these crucial supplies home and protect the health and safety of Americans.
What are your three main policy, budgetary or legislative priorities? In Congress, my top three priorities will be fixing our veterans care system, maintaining a strong national defense, and ensuring a growing and prosperous economy.
As a veteran, I’ve experienced the long wait lines, the burdensome processes, and the unnecessary regulations plaguing our veterans care programs. In Congress, I will cut the red tape, fix our broken Veterans Administration system, and find workable solutions that will support our nation’s veterans.
In Congress, I will also make sure we are prepared for global challenges and that we stand up to those who threaten our security and safety. I served under several presidents in my 30 years in the U.S. Navy, but the one I learned the most from was Ronald Reagan. When Gaddafi attacked American forces in the Gulf of Sidra, President Reagan acted swiftly. I was part of the operation that eliminated Libya’s wartime capabilities. History shows that the only way to stop our enemies is to stand up to them. That’s what I did during my Naval career and it’s what I will do in Washington.
As a business owner and entrepreneur, I have experienced the challenges of leading a business in this highly over-regulated climate. After Congress passed the President’s tax cuts, millions of jobs were added, wages increased, and markets thrived. In Congress, I will fight to protect these successful policies and move our country forward with bigger, bolder tax and regulatory reform that unleashes America’s entrepreneurial spirit and jumpstarts the engine of economic growth.
Much of our readership is in rural communities. What priorities do you have that will help support agriculture? Farming and agriculture are a way of live for many parts of Virginia’s Second District. While many politicians in Washington have forgotten the importance of our agricultural communities, I understand that farmers are the foundation of our economy, the heart of our workforce, and the soul of everything that truly makes America great. I will work toward solutions in Congress that provide stability, support, and protection for America’s farming communities.
We live in times of intense political division. Are you willing to work across the aisles to address policy, budgetary and legislative goals? How so? Absolutely. Although I am a lifelong Republican, I am an American first. I am tired of politicians who care more about partisan politics than representing those they were elected to serve. When I served my country, I didn’t do it for a party, I did it to protect all Americans and our freedoms. I am running for Congress to continue serving all Americans. Over 40 past and present elected have endorsed my campaign and represent a wide range of political views and backgrounds. This broad coalition of support in a Republican primary speaks to my ability to bring people together. Just as I have many people supporting me who don’t always agree with each other, I will work to bring people together in Washington who don’t always agree. I will break through the gridlock and fight to get things done that make our country stronger and freer for all Americans.
SCOTT W. TAYLOR
Residence: Chix Beach in Virginia Beach
Age: 40
Occupation: International business consultant with Magna Imperio Systems Corp., local real estate
Military Service/Education Completed: Former U.S. Navy SEAL, applied GI Bill to secure Bachelor degree in ALB international relations and a Masters degree in international relations from Harvard University
Key endorsements: Virginia Beach Sheriff Ken Stolle, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise
Website: scotttaylor2020.com
Phone: (757) 366-1072
Email: campaign@scotttaylor2020.com
Social media: @scotttaylorvirginia on Facebook and @scotttaylorva on Instagram and Twitter
What are your specific qualifications for this office and as the best Republican nominee? I served this district for one term as a U.S. Congressman. I was the first Virginian ever appointed to the Appropriations Committee as a freshman, passed numerous national laws, and brought hundreds of millions of dollars back to Virginia. I served two terms as Virginia Delegate, passing numerous pieces of legislation while representing the 85th district in Virginia Beach. I am a father, a small business owner, and a combat veteran Navy SEAL. I am the only one in the race with any experience and with relationships from Congressional leadership to the President of the United States.
What is the most important issue we face and how will you address it in office? We face an economic crisis and a health crisis. When I served in Congress, our economy was the best it has been, possibly ever. I will continue to vote the same way. Further, we must bring back manufacturing, thus jobs back to this country. We should start with critical medical supplies and medicines. We need a revolution in Healthcare; we should remove bureaucracy that stifles the introduction of technology, increase competition, and choice.
What are your three main policy, budgetary or legislative priorities? Ensure the Congressionally authorized veterans hospital is built on the southside – in Congress, I moved mountains of bureaucracy and worked with the Virginia Beach mayor to make this hospital happen. In my absence, this critically important effort has been halted entirely. When I return to Congress, a top priority will be seeing this hospital through. I will introduce legislation that mandates our critical medicines bought by the DOD, VA, Medicaid, and Medicare are made in America. We should never rely on China, or any country, for our life-saving medicines.
Much of our readership is in rural communities. What priorities do you have that will help support agriculture? I was raised on the Eastern Shore in a rural, one-stoplight town, and my first job was working on the farm. We must help our farmers get access to markets, properly fund agriculture research and develop initiatives, and not burden farmers with overbearing land regulations from the EPA.
We live in times of intense political division. Are you willing to work across the aisle to address policy, budgetary and legislative goals? How so? During my freshman term in Congress, I introduced 19 bills, all of which were bipartisan. Meaning every bill I introduced had a Democrat co-sponsor. This proactive approach allowed for increased likelihood of success in the bills that I introduced, and ensured that the legislation I put forth had the potential to gain traction throughout both sides of the aisle and both houses of Congress. When I return to Congress, I will continue that record: all bills that I introduce will have a Democrat co-sponsor. At this time, we see intense partisanship – political games and sensationalized news to promote partisan agendas.
The partisan games are a result of failed leadership and politicians caring more about their own careers than their constituents. I am committed to serving the VA-02 as a results-oriented representative and will remain committed to bipartisan legislating.
JAROME BELL
Residence: Virginia Beach, VA
Age: 53
Occupation: DCJS Certified School Security Officer
Military Service/Education Completed: Retired 27 year Navy Chief Petty Officer. BS – Embry Riddell University
Key endorsements: Congressman Gosar AZ-04, American Workers Coalition, Citizens Media News
Website: jaromebellforcongress.com
Phone: (757) 536-4157
Email: jaromebellforcongress@gmail.com
Social media: @JaromeBellVA on Facebook and Twitter
What are your specific qualifications for this office and as the best Republican nominee? 20 years of management experience managing over $120 million worth of taxpayer assets while supervising and leading over 3000 personnel and maintaining budgets of $8.5 – $15 million respectively. I was hand selected to be on the Admiral’s staff at Commander Naval Reserves Forces Command as the pilot and aircrew training program manager, I wrote policy (laws) for the entire naval reserves pilot and aircrew training programs.
What is the most important issue we face and how will you address it in office? I will fight to stamp out communism in the United States I will vote against any socialist ideals that arise from socialist democrats. I will defend the Second Amendment. I will fight to secure our borders and fight to protect the unborn.
I will also support our veterans and insure we continue to have the biggest and most powerful military in the world.
What are your three main policy, budgetary or legislative priorities? Cut all discretionary spending and sponsor a Constitutional Balanced Budget Amendment. End Cheap Labor Visa Programs that destroy the America and the American Worker. Secure our borders.
Much of our readership is in rural communities. What priorities do you have that will help support agriculture? I will sponsor or support free trade agreements and help cut crushing regulations. Eliminate all agricultural subsidies like direct payments, crop insurance, and quotas.
We live in times of intense political division. Are you willing to work across the aisles to address policy, budgetary and legislative goals? How so? We have to be able to work together and am willing to reach across the aisle to handle the people’s business and pass laws that do not restrict individual Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness and Property.
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