Below are the unedited responses from Jason Foglesong to the Amarillo Pioneer’s candidate questionnaire for 2020. Foglesong is a Republican candidate for U.S. House, District 13.

Please note: Questions from the Pioneer are in italics and the candidate’s responses are in standard type.

What is your occupation?

Educator

What is your age?

What is your educational background? Please list any degrees earned, and institutions attended. You may also list any professional certifications.

I have a B.A in Political Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton, and I am a certified teacher.

Is this your first time running for office? If not, please list which offices you have sought or held in the past.

This is my first time running for office. In the past, I was appointed chair of Precinct 122 in Potter County.

If you have a website, Facebook, Twitter, or any other online campaign materials, please list the links below.

www.foglesong2020.com, Facebook.com/Foglesong2020, Twitter.com/Foglesong2020

Why did you decide to run for office in 2020?

I believe it's time for regular people to get involved and take office. I've had enough of rich people and Washington insiders deciding that they know better than the rest of us, talking a good game to get our money, and then forgetting who put them in office.

What are your top three priorities, if elected?

Border Security
Second Amendment Rights
Taxes

Do you plan to host town hall meetings in the district during your first term in office? Why or why not?

Yes. When Congress is not in session, I will be accessible to voters all over the district, in evenings and on weekends, when people can actually attend. I properly represent our district, I need to engage with voters and understand their needs.

Reader submitted question: Would you support new federal campaign finance reform legislation? Please explain.

No. Americans have a right to freely speak and express themselves, and one of the ways they do this is through campaign donations. There are limits in place on how much can be donated and by whom.

There are individuals and organizations out there that wish to slander and harass individuals and businesses for their political views. This shouldn't be happening. Forcing more transparency and disclosure sounds like a good idea on the surface, but it will lead to more of this negative partisan behavior.

Do you support term limits? Please explain.

Yes, mostly; However, before signing or sponsoring such a bill, I would conduct several polls in our district to ensure I'm carrying out the will of my constituents on this issue.

I'm personally conflicted on term limits. Not all career politicians are bad, but some are. I think term limits are a safety mechanism for the bad ones; however, voters ought to be able to elect anyone they wish and term limits interfere with voter choice.

Would you vote for any legislation that would prohibit the manufacturing, sale, use, ownership or carrying of firearms? Why or why not?

No. The Second Amendment is our defense against tyranny and it’s not surprising that many would-be tyrants are the same people who seek to control and erode our right to keep and bear arms.

As Americans, our right to defend our homes and families is absolute.

There should be no restriction on the type, caliber, action, or magazine capacity of firearms. Criminals don't obey laws. Law abiding citizens are not a threat, and those type of laws only punish them.

I support Constitutional Carry, and failing that, 50 State CHL Reciprocity.

"Red Flag Laws" are a flagrant violation of our Constitutional Rights and must be abolished.

The only people who shouldn't be allowed to own firearms are already forbidden by our current system.

Based on the information available to the public, would you have voted for the articles of impeachment against President Trump had you been in the House at the time? Please explain.

No. The impeachment is a scam, and is based on a phone call that someone heard about and wasn't involved in. The claims made by Adam Schiff and the content of President Trump's transcript do not add up. The relationship the "whistle-blowers" have with our intelligence apparatus and the Democrat party are highly suspicious.

President Trump has committed no crime and the actions he took regarding Ukraine fall within the powers of his office.

Democrats have been screaming about impeachment since Trump won the election, and the majority of the media has supported this.

With Rep. Thornberry leaving office, the district will be selecting its first new representative since 1995. Why do you believe you are the best equipped candidate to step into this role and represent all areas of the district, including rural communities and cities?

I am the best candidate because I'm an ordinary citizen. I am not beholden to interest groups, unions, or lobbies. I will be accessible to voters, and will take the voice of the common citizen to Washington.

I may not know everything, and that's a good thing. I need input and engagement from voters to represent this district the right way, and that means I need to be out in all of our communities learning about issues.

If I knew everything, I'd be deciding for everyone what the best course of action is, and THAT is not good representation.

How will you work to advocate for and defend the agriculture community in Washington, if elected?

I will fight to abolish the estate tax.
I support the Preserving Family Farms Act.
I support extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
I will support research efforts to protect livestock.
I will oppose legislation that increases the regulatory burden on Agriculture.
I will oppose legislation that restricts the use of proven agricultural technologies.

I will sponsor legislation restricting the labeling and marketing of "meat substitutes" as meat. This legislation will expand to cover other "alternatives" as well; "nacho cheeze" made with nuts and no dairy comes to mind as an example.

I will work together with our agricultural community to:
1) Encourage young people to pursue careers in agriculture
2) Promote the importance and impact of agricultural education
3) Support legislation where applicable to lower barriers to entry for people wanting to begin careers or businesses in this field

Reader submitted question: What should the U.S. Congress do to reduce the national debt? Please explain.

Reduce spending and introduce a balanced budget amendment (in 2018, the Republican Study Group released a budget plan that could have balanced it by 2023)

Ensure that the money allocated to Social Security is spent only in that program.

Drug test recipients of welfare benefits, add a work requirement for the able-bodied, and fight fraudulent claims across the board, including claims from illegal aliens.

Lower the tax rate across the board.

Restrict funding for programs that are not covered by the powers listed in Article One of the US Constitution - those programs should be in the hands of the states.

Please explain what reforms Congress should enact, if any, regarding the healthcare system.

Repeal Obamacare, while ensuring Americans have affordable options through a competitive market that functions across state lines and that pre-existing conditions don't preclude anyone from obtaining affordable coverage.

Do you support President Trump's proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border? Please explain.

Yes. The wall must be built. The invasions, incursions, human trafficking, and voter fraud must be stopped. E-Verify must be made mandatory for everyone doing business in the United States. There should be no restrictions when it comes to Law Enforcement detaining or arresting any illegal alien – “criminal” is not a protected status.

How will you work to ensure constituents can actively communicate with you about the issues, if elected?

I will be personally accessible in our district when Congress is not in session.
While in Washington, I will ensure I have field staff available, and we will work to engage with constituents on social media, over the phone, and by both electronic and traditional mail.

Are you supported by any political action committees? If so, please list your PAC endorsements.

None, as of 1/3/2020

Why are you the best candidate for voters to support in the 13th District?

I have no skeletons in my closet, and no special interests, unions, or lobbies holding anything over me. I want to serve the common citizen, and enjoy engaging with people politically. I believe the best representation comes from someone invested in the community, who will listen to the needs and opinions of others.

In our district, we have a well-armed and polite society that we built with faith, love, tolerance, and respect for others. I will bring that to Washington.