Meet Sandy Casey, candidate for U.S. House, Tennessee District 3
The Tennessean Editorial Board asked candidates on the Aug. 4 state and federal primary ballot in Tennessee to answer our questionnaire. Find biographical information and their responses to 10 questions. Early voting started on July 15.
More: Learn about candidates running in the Aug. 4 Tennessee primary election | Editorial
Biographical Information
Name: Sandy Casey
Age (at time of Aug. 4 election): 63
Neighborhood, town and/or city: Oliver Springs
Education: BS in Secondary English Education
Job history: HS English teach, 3 yrs. Ranch hand, working dairy heifers and cutting and baling hay, 4 yrs. Stay-at-home mom, 2 yrs. Leasing agent in a high-rise apt., 1 yr. US Navy, Active duty, 13 yrs.; Civilian, 8 yrs. Software technical support, 7 years.
Family: Grown, married daughter and grandchildren; four younger siblings
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Ten Questions about your Candidacy
What office are you seeking?
US House, TN-3 (Republican)
Why are you running for this office?
Big, unconstitutional government is holding back the nation! WE the PEOPLE are the ones whom government should be serving, not the government dictating through policy and regulations. Maximum freedom and maximum personal responsibility. I want to begin to peel back the onion on government over-reach and anti-American policy and sentiment.
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What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)? (Please specify if you are unopposed, but feel free to answer)
I am an intelligent person who is able to listen to others and think of non-traditional answers to challenges. The incumbent seems to make no bones about working for businesses, and not his constituents; they tell me they never receive responses to calls and correspondence and he sides with business over "the little guy." The average person is tired of career politicians who say what they must to get elected and then forget the voter right away. The voter is who will get my attention- not the money.
How can you make the biggest impact on your community through this position?
Listening to what people need and feel, AND their suggested solutions to their issues and concerns. From what I have heard, the over-regulation of government is what is causing the problems which could be solved on a smaller scale. Big Gov says something must be this one way or no way. (American homelessness; income restrictions on disabilities; medical care, etc.)
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Repeal the 1986 National Vaccine Injury Act; bring criminal and civil charges against Dr. Fauci (and others); reverse language in statues which makes medical experimentation on the population legal!
B. Defund anti-American agencies and programs which do not serve ALL the American people but terrorize them, all the while calling Americans terrorists.
NEVER vote for a continuing resolution, omnibus bill or raising the debt ceiling.
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What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?
LESS GOVERNMENT RESTRICTION no matter what the topic. More individual freedom and the voice to disagree.
What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on Election Day?
It takes courage to run for office, and the larger the scope of the office (in area) the more of challenge it is! People complain about who is in office, but with so much lost faith in the election system, and it not being a "presidential" year, voter apathy is sad. I would like to inspire to vote in the primary- to have the courage to vote for change- to be a part of the Cinderella story- David and Goliath- Rudy... I want them to have the courage to vote for someone with courage, not money. Look at websites and social media. GO to meet the candidate events and ask questions! Send an e-mail or letter to me! I answer them.
Tell us about a mentor or guide who made a difference in your life and what wisdom would you impart to the community?
My father taught me an appreciation for the rugged individualism which created this nation, from the Pilgrims who came seeking religious freedom and proved rather quickly Socialism is a failure to the pioneers who put all they had in covered wagons to settle in the vast and lonely west exhibiting that same courage. Courage and Honestly and Integrity are the values which I hold in high esteem, and that is why my name must be as good leaving Washington as it will be going in. While not perfect, I can grow and learn and then change my mind, which is not a convenient flip-flop. I will own my mistakes and make course corrections as needed. My Navy mentor focused on continual research on topics, becoming more of a subject matter expert- because knowledge IS power. Bad leadership is uninformed leadership. Power which comes through lies, fear and intimidation is not true power, but tyranny. Many in our government right now are tyrants of varying degrees.
Will you commit to being civil in how you present yourself and the way you interact with opponents and others? (Our definition of civility is being a good, active, honest and respectable citizen)
Yes
A fun question: What are one or two attractions (restaurants, parks, venues, etc.) that visitors cannot miss if they come to your community?
In Oliver Springs, Ruby's Diner is THE place to have Clye's best pork chops-ever. The historical aspects (museums, parks and walking tours) of Oak Ridge, the Secret City, is also fascinating. (I must confess, though, my property is my personal favorite place!)
Call Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Aug. 4 election: Sandy Casey, candidate, Congress District 3
