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

Retired Navy Rear Admiral and Physician

What is your age?

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

Doctor of Medicine - University of Texas Medical Branch

Bachelor of Science - Texas A&M

Associate of Science - South Plains College

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: www.RonnyJacksonForTexas13.com
Facebook: RonnyJackson4Texas13
Twitter: RonnyJackson4TX

Why did you decide to run for office in 2020?

Just retired from 25 year of service in the Military and want to continue my service to the country. I am not happy with the rhetoric and obstruction from the far left in this country and I am worried about the future of our country and our democracy.

What are your top three priorities, if elected?

Immigration reform and a strong protected border
Protection of the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms
Protection of the unborn and support of Pro-Life initiatives

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

Absolutely. I will want to hear from the constituents at every opportunity. I will want to know their issues, concerns, and problems, and will want to hear what solutions they have in mind. I will represent the people in the district first and foremost, and can do that most effectively if there is an open and public forum to do so.

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

Yes, I am in favor of limiting the influence of money and special interest in politics. I believe it leads to corruption and restricts the will of the people.

Do you support term limits? Please explain.

Yes. I support term limits for all members of congress and if elected I will pledge to serve no more than 4 terms or 8 years. I think the current system requires candidates to spend far too much time and money campaigning and I think it also prevents many candidates from full-filling their campaign promises to their voters. Members of congress work for the people and should spend all of their time in congress serving the interest of their district and the country. Members of congress should not be able to serve indefinitely, and I will support legislation to establish term limits for every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate

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

No. Anything that limits our constitutional right to bear arms will ultimately result in laws and regulations that take this right away from law abiding citizens. I will defend our right to keep and bear arms. I believe that law abiding citizens of this country should be able to have guns in their homes and carry them in public. I am a member of the NRA and have been a gun owner my entire life. I will work to ensure that no one can take away or limit our ability to defend ourselves or our constitutional right to our firearms.

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.

Absolutely not! It has been a colossal waste of taxpayers money. The Democrat party has failed to full-fill their duty to the American Public for a full 3 years now while they have been consumed with efforts to manufacture articles of impeachment and remove the President from office for purely political reasons. This process has been an embarrassment to the country and a shameful attempt to undermine the will of the people that legitimately elected the President to office.

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 was born and raised in a small town in this region of Texas and come from a blue collar background. I understand the voters of the district and share their values. I have 25 years of service to our country as an officer in the U.S. Military. I understand selfless service and I have the leadership experience to represent, protect, and lead the district. I have a unique and recent background which includes serving as a senior advisor to President Trump for the past 3 years. As such, I have existing relationships within the Executive Office of the President that will allow me to be more effective in advocating for constituents of the district.

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

I will protect the industry of this district and work tirelessly to support farmers, ranchers, the oil and gas industry, Bell Helicopter, Sheppard Air Force Base, Weber Aircraft, Pantex, and other industries critical to the economy of the 13th congressional district. All these industries are not only important to the district but are also directly related to our national defense and to a strong national economy. I will pledge to promote and grow these industries in the district.

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

I am fiscally conservative and will work hard to eliminate wasteful spending. Every department and component of the federal government can and should cut spending and start treating the taxpayers money as if it were their own. The bureaucracy in the federal government is far too big and dysfunctional.

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

I will work hard to lower healthcare cost. Health insurance, medical care and the drugs that Americans rely on for their health and well-being are all far too expensive. The cost of healthcare is far outpacing the income for most people in this country. I will work to eliminate the monopolies in healthcare, continue to promote transparency in billing, reform pharmaceutical pricing and bring down the cost of drugs, and protect Americans from the liberal agenda and the socialist healthcare plans of the left.

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

Definitely. I support strong protected borders. I will work hard to push serious and strong immigration reform that limits the number of immigrants and refugees that can legally enter our country. Only those that are vetted, screened, and go through the legal process should be allowed to enter. I will work tirelessly to prevent anyone from entering our country illegally. I have made numerous trips to the southern border while working as a senior advisor to President Trump. I have spent many hours talking to the brave men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I understand why the wall is important and necessary for them to do their job and protect us from criminals, drug smugglers, gang members, and human traffickers that are crossing our borders and destroying our country. I believe that an unsecured border is one of the greatest threats to our country, to our liberty, and to our way of life. Immigration is a national security issue and should not be used as a political tool by the left.

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

I live in Amarillo. If elected, I will have an office in both Amarillo and Wichita Falls. I plan to be in the district at all times, unless required to be in Washington DC to vote or to carry out the business of the district. If elected, I will work hard to make myself and every member of my office available to the constituents and voters. I will be out in the district meeting with people and listening to the issues every day. I am a firm believer that you cannot represent the district if you are not here interacting with the constituents at every opportunity.

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

No, I have no PAC endorsements.

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

I understand the voters of the district and share their values. I have 25 years of service to our country as an officer in the U.S. Military. I understand selfless service and I have the leadership experience to represent, protect, and lead the district. I have a unique and recent background which includes serving as a senior advisor to President Trump for the past 3 years. As such, I have existing relationships within the Executive Office of the President that will allow me to be more effective in advocating for constituents of the district.