11/02/18 Joe Walton for Congress Answers Questions Posed by the Henrico Citizen Newspaper

Press Release: Joe Walton for Congress Answers Questions Posed by the Henrico Citizen Newspaper

Joe Walton forCongress – VA 7^th District
For Immediate Release: 11/02/2018
804-476-0768
press@joeforvirginia.com

Joe Walton for Congress Answers Questions Posed by the Henrico Citizen Newspaper
Joe is happy to have had an opportunity to answer questions from the Henrico Citizen and is grateful for being included in their coverage of the full ballot for the 7^th District!

Powhatan, Virginia: The Joe for Virginia campaign recently answered questions posed by the Henrico Citizen for their print edition and website publications.  The Henrico Citizen will run a candidate Q&A in its Nov. 1 print edition and on HenricoCitizen.com.  They are inviting all Congressional candidates on Henrico ballots this November to answer the questions below in 500 words or less.

We are making these answers available electronically so the voters of the 7^th District have a chance to learn more about Joe Walton and his campaign for the 7^th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Joe speaks consistently in all forums regardless of the audience and encourages all candidates to be as accountable.

This continues his effort to fully clarify his positions through his website and other media, including www.ballotpedia.org’s candidate survey on issues and political philosophy (neither Rep. Brat nor Democrat Spanberger have completed this exposition) available here: https://ballotpedia.org/Joe_Walton

Below are the questions from the Henrico Citizen and Joe’s answers.  His YouTube Channel Joe for Virginia HERE has many videos which overlap these questions so voters can review Joe’s live answers and not just canned printed responses.

1. Why should residents of your district vote for you to be their Congressional representative?

Background, knowledge and commitment: I am a former Chair of the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors with a record of accountable and effective leadership in central Virginia. I am a sensible centrist with a genuine interest in working with constituents, leaders across the state, and federal peers to solve problems in Washington. I believe in and advocate for socially inclusive and fiscally responsible approaches to public policy. I will be a “fiercely independent” voice to fight polarization, gridlock, gerrymandering, and obscene money in politics!

2. What will be your top focus in Congress?

Healthcare: Virginia should accept the finality of the Affordable Care Act on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth and the health care and insurance providers. We need to stop wasting resources resisting Medicaid expansion (which has occurred as of May, 2018) and move on to improving its administration and effectiveness.  I support the Alexander/Murray Bipartisan Health Care Stabilization Act 2017 and other improvements towards a more efficient and effective health care and insurance marketplace that decouples healthcare from employer/employment and as may be identified by outcome-improvement-focused experts.

3. What is the most critical issue: 1) facing your district? 2) facing Virginia? How do you propose to address these?

My first priority will be to improve constituent services and accountability in the 7th District by holding town halls throughout the district and also regular office hours in Washington and in the District.  Secondarily I will pursue greater oversight of the Executive Branch and the agencies which have not been held to high enough standards in the current Congress and by the incumbent by influencing the Speaker to hold Oversight Hearing.

Here in Virginia and the 7th District I will pursue aggressive public-private partnerships with broadband providers, the localities, state, and federal government for getting universal broadband internet service provided to the entire state.  I have a unique technical background and direct experience with broadband development and deployment and I’ll bring that expertise to bear on this issue in Congress.

4. How will you involve citizens in matters of Congress?

I will barnstorm the district starting in November with town halls throughout the district and keep holding at least quarterly – and more frequently as needed – district meetings during my service.  This is what I did as a member of the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors where I have a record of accountable and effective leadership in central Virginia.

5. What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Friday is hectic as the week ends, so that varies.  Saturday is yoga at the gym then a bike ride or some kid-friendly adventure in central Virginia (Party of 6 total in our Honda Odyssey) followed by a kidsitter and dinner out featuring Virginia wine and my wonderful girlfriend, Melissa.  Sunday is usually a slower version of Saturday with leftovers or something from the smoker and Party of 6 to the gym pool in Midlothian.

6. What personal or professional clubs or organizations are you a member of?

I have been active in Richmond professional theatre for over ten years as a board member and support administration.  This service was for many years at the Firehouse Theatre Project as VP and President now as the President of 5^th Wall Theatre.  Professionally I am heavily involved in technology and academic endeavors and my Ph.D. dissertation work related to cybersecurity, blockchain, and cryptocurrency.

7. Additional information:

Highlights from my prior elected office service on the County of Powhatan Board of Supervisors include: planning and securing funding for the widening of Huguenot Trail east of Route 288, planning for the well-designed Wal-mart development on Route 60 and a new Comprehensive Plan, and creating the Huguenot Trail Advisory Committee Report for an important historic byway in the County of Powhatan.

I earned my B. S. in Science, with a minor in Physics from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).  I also hold a Master of Public Administration (MPA) graduate degree from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU and am currently a dissertation-phase doctoral student in the Public Policy and Administration Ph.D. program at the Wilder School.

Voters can find out more about my candidacy with an extensive website and videos at www.joeforvirginia.com.

/end

About Joe for Virginia: Joe Walton is a candidate for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District and former Chair of the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors with a record of accountable and effective leadership in central Virginia. He is a sensible centrist with a genuine interest in working with constituents, leaders across the state, and federal peers to solve problems in Washington. He believes in and advocates for socially inclusive and fiscally responsible approaches to public policy. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree and is a Ph.D. student in Public Policy at VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

Learn more: Web: www.joeforvirginia.com | Facebook: @joeforvirginia | Twitter: @joeforvirginia

###