Below are the unedited responses from Diane Knowlton to the Amarillo Pioneer’s candidate questionnaire for 2020. Knowlton 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?

Attorney

What is your age?

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

BA and Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. J.D. from the George Washington University Law School. Attorney licensed in Texas and Virginia. Previously licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.

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

Yes

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

Website: DianeKforCongress.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianeKforCongress/

Why did you decide to run for office in 2020?

My roots in this district go back five generations, and I want to give back to the people here who have meant so much to me. I've had an extensive career in business and law for 25 years, and I want to use those skills to serve the nation and the people of this district. Our nation is facing critical issues such as attacks on our Constitutional rights, a Socialist agenda by some Democrats, border security, international threats, and an increasing national debt. All of those issues must be seriously addressed over the next few years.

What are your top three priorities, if elected?

(1) Protect our Constitutional rights, including but not limited to the First Amendment and Second Amendment; (2) Continue with the goals and accomplishments of the Trump administration, such as growth of the economy, improved border security, and defeat of terrorism; (3) reduce spending across the entire government by requiring all agencies to conduct process improvement to make their procedures more efficient and less costly.

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

Yes, this is a large district, and our nation is facing complex issues. I want to meet with citizens in cities and towns across the district to get their opinions about ongoing issues.

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

I would consider new campaign finance reform legislation only if it allowed for full freedom of speech and freedom of association for all American citizens and American organizations. I would consider supporting reforms that further ensure transparency and disclosure of political donations. I would not support legislation or a Constitutional amendment overturning the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision.

Do you support term limits? Please explain.

I will fully support term limits as long as they are implemented in a manner that will hold members of Congress accountable to their constituents. The Constitution was not written with the intention of "career politicians" remaining in office for many years. But at the same time, being up for reelection provides an incentive for members of Congress to vote the way their constituents want them to vote. So we don't want too much turnover at one time. In the House, limits of four or five terms would probably be appropriate.

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

No. We have a Constitutional right to bear arms under the Second Amendment. Any further restrictions on this right will be a mere slippery slope from confiscation or mandatory buy-backs (for which some Democrats, unbelievably, have already advocated). Our right to protect ourselves is especially important to a rural district like ours, in which many citizens live miles away from law enforcement.

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. There was no evidence supporting the impeachment of President Trump. The House Democrats abused their Constitutional power of impeachment for their own political purposes, similar to what Senate Democrats did during the Kavanaugh hearings, when they attempted to block the confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh for their own political purposes.

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'm a 5th-generation resident of Clay County, and I currently live in Henrietta. My roots are in the small towns and rural areas of Clay County. But I also have 25 years of experience in business and business law, working for many of the industries that make up our district's vast economy, such as oil and gas, ranching, government contracting, and banking. I also worked in Washington, DC for a few years--not on Capitol Hill, and never as a lobbyist--but as a consultant to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, helping them make their administrative procedures more efficient. So I understand how government works, and from my legal training I understand the Constitution, legislation, and regulations. But I have never been a DC "insider," and I believe that we should apply sound business and finance principles to management of our government.

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

The broadest ongoing issues for agriculture and other land owners is protecting property rights and keeping regulation under control. We have an ongoing problem with too much regulation from Washington that limits how owners can use their land, thus reducing the land's value. In addition, due to some disappointing court decisions on property rights in the past twenty years, I am in favor of stronger laws limiting eminent domain and ensuring fair compensation when eminent domain is necessary. More specific to agriculture, I will advocate for trade policies that are more beneficial for our farmers and ranchers than they have been in past years, whether considering trade within North America (such as the USMCA) or trade with China and other countries overseas.

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

Congress should enact legislation that requires agencies to conduct process improvement projects to create more efficient, less costly procedures. We must work on saving taxpayer money and cutting costs in every government agency by promoting more efficient processes and eliminating the slow, cumbersome procedures that exist throughout the government. I have first-hand experience with process improvement at the federal government to increase efficiency and lower costs. Increased efficiencies can reduce staff requirements, can reduce government real estate requirements, and in many cases, can improve transparency by providing fast and accurate access to records. These are only a few examples of how we can better manage our government for less money.

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

We can provide the best healthcare at the lowest cost to all citizens by repealing Obamacare and allowing health insurance to be sold and purchased on the free market. A free market for health insurance will create more competition, which will lead to lower premiums, lower deductibles, and improved quality of coverage. There should be only two exceptions to this free market policy: (1) We should retain the current law that prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or refusing treatment to persons with a pre-existing condition. (2) We should retain Medicare and Medicaid, in their current forms, for seniors and low-income citizens, respectively. Other than those two exceptions, we should pursue legislation that allows for more competition in the health insurance industry which will lower premium costs and improve quality of coverage. Some examples are (1) allowing for the sale of insurance policies across state lines, thus creating more competition and more choice for insurance customers and (2) eliminating the Obamacare "minimal essential coverage" requirements. For example, customers who have no expectation of having children should not be required to purchase a policy with maternity coverage. As another example, any person who prefers to purchase a “catastrophic” medical policy only, and to pay for ongoing medical expenses out of pocket, should be allowed to do so, and the health insurance company should be allowed to offer such a plan.

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

Yes, the wall should continue to be built for the security of our nation. The border of our nation is our first line of defense. I am also in favor of investment in additional technology and infrastructure that CBP, ICE, and other Homeland Security offices will use to make us stronger and safer.

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

I plan to return to the district when Congress is not in session and to meet regularly with the citizens of the district about the most pressing issues.

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

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

I’m a 5th-generation resident of District 13, and I have 25 years of experience helping private businesses and public agencies run better. I have never been a DC "insider," but my legal training and my work experience have provided me with skills that will allow me to represent the citizens of District 13 on every critical issue arising in Congress. I understand how to (1) protect our Constitutional rights, (2) promote business and the economy of our district, and (3) help our government run better for less money.