Incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz is seeking re-election in District 6, which covers southern St. Johns County, Putnam and Flagler counties and residents of eastern Marion and northern Volusia counties. He defeated one challenger in the Republican primary and will now face Democrat James David Stockton III in the November general election. A write-in candidate also qualified for the general election.
News4Jax sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are published exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
James David Stockton III
Occupation: Senior Pastor, Greater New Hope Church, Ocala FL Community Leader
Age: 52
Education: Attended the following Universities: California State University, Dominquez
West Virginia State University, American Christian University
Political experience: I have a lifetime of public service through serving and leading many community boards, committees, and organizations.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them? HEALTH CARE- preserve Social Security for all Americans; secure increased funding for mental health and substance abuse initiatives; lower prescription drug cost for all Americans (children, seniors and veterans); enhance the Affordable Health Care initiative.
EDUCATION- support educators in developing best practices and curricula for viability on the world’s stage; enhance early childhood education and high-quality universal pre-K; provide affordable childcare for working families; sponsor high-performing public, charter, vocational and collegiate institutions.
RIGHTS OF WOMEN- protect women’s reproductive rights; equal pay for equal work; put an end to human trafficking.
ENVIRONMENTAL/ENERGY- develop legislation supporting green and renewable energy; make converting to green and renewable energy affordable for all Americans; secure increased funding for grants for businesses and learning institutions that foster jobs and fields of study that focus on green and renewable energy.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot? I will be present in community life and use reflective listening for transforming their concerns into actions on their behalf.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office? Honesty, Integrity and Accomplishment in meeting the needs of all my constituents.
Campaign website: www.stocktonforcongress.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Michael Waltz
Occupation: U.S. Congressman, U.S. Army National Guard colonel (ret.)
Age: 50
Family: Wife Julia, daughter Anderson, son Armie
Education: Virginia Military Institute, BA
Political experience: Three-term Congressman
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Border Security
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, our southern border has been left wide open for illegal immigrant, drug and human traffickers, and suspected terrorists to cross with less enforcement. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris reversed a number of former President Donald Trump’s successful border policies including “Remain in Mexico” that helped secure our border. It’s critical to American safety that we secure the border and expand our border patrol personnel.
Economy
Americans continue to be squeezed by the Biden-Harris Administration’s out-of-control sending that has been spearheaded by “Bidenomics.” Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ signature piece legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act, supercharged inflation across the country by spending trillions of taxpayer dollars.
We need to reduce inflation by cutting federal spending, passing federal budgets rather than massive omnibus spending bills, and unleashing American energy. We should be promoting an “all-the-above” approach to unleash cleaner American oil & gas rather than relying on foreign imports. If we expand energy production, that will lower the cost of goods and energy for all Americans.
National Security
The number one job of the federal government is to keep Americans safe. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the world has become unhinged with threats from China, Russia, Iran, and drug cartels. This is a stark difference from the Trump Administration that left the Middle East safer than it found it – an unprecedented success.
We need to invest in our military, strengthen alliances, expand the Trump-era Middle East Peace deals, and aggressively go after Mexican drug cartels that are pouring fentanyl into our country killing tens of thousands of Americans.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I bring both business and military experience to the job having served as a CEO, Army green beret, and National Guard colonel. These experiences have allowed me contribute to my work on the House Armed Services Committee, Select Committee on Intelligence, Foreign Affairs Committee, and Oversight and Accountability Committee.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
That I helped make Florida safer and economically better off than I found it.
Campaign website: https://mikewaltz.com/