Posted on 10/19/2004 9:55:31 PM PDT by countryboy228943
I read this article and thought this Jenkins fellow might be someone to take a good look at.
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Three seek District 3 seat
By KRYSTAL DE LOS SANTOS McKinney Courier-Gazette Before casting their ballots, Collin County residents should know who they're voting for.
Independent candidate Paul Jenkins and libertarian James Vessels are challenging incumbent Republican Sam Johnson for the chance to represent District 3, which includes Plano and McKinney.
Paul Jenkins is from Beloit, Wisc. After graduating from Beloit Catholic High School, he attended Georgia Tech, paying his own way, and received a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering in 1991.
He and his wife, Diane, also lived in Tulsa, Okla. while she attended law school. They moved to Plano in 1994 after she graduated from Tulsa University Law School. Jenkins has worked as an engineer and went from DSC Communications (now Alcatel) to a variety of technology and dot-com startups. He now owns a consulting company.
Jenkins and his wife have three daughters, Emily, Laura and Charlotte.
Johnson grew up in Dallas and graduated from Southern Methodist University. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 29 years and emerged from service in Korea and Vietnam a decorated pilot with several honors, including two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and four Air Medals. He was a prisoner of war in Hanoi for nearly seven years.
Johnson and his wife, Shirley, have three children and ten grandchildren.
Some of the federal issues Jenkins wants to tackle include federal spending, rising health care costs, job losses and homeland security.
Jenkins said his main goal is to reign in federal spending and the size of the federal government, and redirect funding to benefit the middle class. "Both the parties are guilty of making the government grow," Jenkins said.
As for health care costs, Jenkins said "both parties move towards a larger role of government and don't address the problems at the core of the issue," which he said are a lack of competition between health care providers and skyrocketing insurance costs.
To revitalize the job market, Jenkins said the Government needs to eliminate the H1B Visa program and cut taxes on businesses.
Jenkins also said America should use more force against terrorists and make a better effort to protect the borders with both Mexico and Canada.
Johnson said the country's security is the important federal issue he can address in Washington.
"I think keeping America safe and beating this terror that's striking our country is the most important thing we can ever do," Johnson said. "America has an opportunity to get rid of terror worldwide and initiate democracy in the Middle East."
He added that giving women in Afghanistan and Iraq the opportunity to go to school and vote is "thrilling."
"We need to be aware of our position in Iraq and pray for our servicemen and women over there," Jenkins said. "They're doing a great job for America."
Each of the two men have contrasting reasons for believing only he is the best candidate.
"I think I actually have fresh ideas solely from a nonpartisan view," Jenkins said. "As an independent, I can accurately represent the entire voter block in the district."
Johnson said the voters need a representative with experience.
"I think experience counts," Johnson said, "and I have an opportunity to be involved in nearly every thing that's going on in Washington today." He added that he serves on the Ways and Means and Education and the Workforce committee, which he considers two of the most important.
The candidates also have different strategies for enacting change in Congress.
"Once I get to Washington, it's a question of leading the moderates from both parties and forming a new coalition with other independents," Jenkins said.
Johnson said he will enact change by working with President George W. Bush on issues like lowering taxes, reforming social security and the tax code.
"Social Security is going bankrupt and if we don't fix it within the next year, we're going to see the economy come to where we can't fix it at all," Johnson said. He added that he is working on a bill to allow workers to contribute to their own private investment account instead of the government-controlled social security pool.
"I think if you're like most Americans I've talked to, you want to control your own money," Johnson said
A bill Johnson sponsored, which has just been passed, allows taxpayers to deduct their income taxes or sales taxes from their Federal taxes.
The local issues Jenkins said he wants to tackle include eliminating pork barrel projects which he said tie up resources in sometimes frivolous endeavors.
"In my opinion, local issues are addressed at the federal level," Jenkins said. "What we need to do is apply a local view to federal issues and look at how people in the district feel about those issues."
Johnson said his constituents confirm his opinion that more jobs need to be created.
'We create jobs by reducing taxes and making it easier for businesses
to operate, small and large," Johnson said. "Businesses are the people who put jobs in the market."
He added that he also is trying to improve traffic problems in the district by pushing for funding for freeways.
"I've been able to wiggle some money in for an overpass at Coit (road) and (SH) 121," Johnson said. "I think transportation's important, and we're going to try to start working to see if we can't get 75 in McKinney widened."
Both candidates face challenges. For Jenkins, his biggest challenge is unseating a veteran congressman.
"Getting the message out is the hardest thing as an independent," Jenkins said. "When I do get my message out, it really resonates, but it's difficult without the money behind it." He will face another challenge if elected. "As a freshman congressman, going up against the party elite would take time. I'll get the worst parking spot and the worst office."
For Johnson, he said his biggest challenge is coming home.
"I get back here every weekend just about and I try to stay in touch with the local area," he said.
If reelected, Johnson said he will work hard to cut federal spending.
"Government spending is out of control and I think if Bush is elected you will see us reign in spending and get the federal budget balanced," Johnson said.
James Vessels could not be reached for comment.
Sam Johnson is getting more than 80% of the vote right??
Just saw this thread, and for those interested, I had a live interview on the local NBC5 affiliate here in Dallas today. It is at the campaign site http://www.jenkins2004.com
As for the polling data, we are an independent campaign, so I don't have any polling data. It has been *very* grassroots, we've distributed over 10,000 flyers to homes, a small %age of the total district, but it is starting to pay dividends. We'll see how much come November 2nd!
Regards,
Paul Jenkins
Jenkins for Congress
Time for Independent Change!
http://www.jenkins2004.com
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