John Reid, a conservative radio host and former journalist, has vowed to stay in Virginia’s lieutenant governor race, despite Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s request that he drop out. (Photo courtesy of John Reid)
With seven contenders vying to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor, the Mercury asked all the hopefuls to answer a questionnaire covering their political and legislative experiences and their policy positions on policy that shapes citizens’ lives. Here are Republican John Reid’s responses.
Virginia’s constitution stipulates that the lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate. How has your legislative or political experience prepared you for that role?
Reid: My entire professional and personal life has been at the cross-section of politics and policy. From serving as Senior Staff in the U.S. Senate working on behalf of Virginians to Directing editorial communications across the country for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to analyzing and critiquing Virginia leaders and ideas for the last decade, I’m uniquely positioned to help create a reasonable and responsible legislative agenda and lead the Senate so all Virginians are served.
The last four years have shown us the benefits and challenges of a gubernatorial administration working effectively with a legislative body of the opposite political party. How would you participate in strengthening a productive working relationship with legislators, even if the General Assembly is controlled by a party that’s opposite of yours?
Reid: I am a unique candidate who has spent a lifetime navigating controversial issues with a wide variety of people with differing views. Some have mocked my time as a popular radio host but to be a talk show host you must study issues and listen intently to others before you offer a strident opinion, Having watched the Virginia legislature up close for decades I have no doubt I will be able to forge working relationships with reasonable people in both parties.
Though lieutenant governors are not legislators, they can signal favor of work the General Assembly does. Are there specific types of legislation that your office would advocate in support of in the General Assembly?
Reid: It’s imperative that the Lt Governor show clear leadership, while confirming a commitment to the rule of law and objectivity in its administration. I intend to side with the law abiding citizens and advocate boldly for them against the movement to coddle criminals. Tax reform is also an imperative as Virginia risks falling behind other states with no car tax and lower or no income tax. We need a rethinking of our tax structure to keep and recruit business and an increasingly mobile workforce, And I’d very much like to help create options for families as they seek a school that will appropriately educate their children.
What is your stance on school choice and how do you propose to address educational disparities?
Reid: There are great public schools in Virginia but there are also big problems that the public system does not seem to be able to correct. Providing options for parents and kids must be a priority and we need to reverse the recent trend of making opting out more difficult for parents. Charter, church, and home school opportunities and funding must be expanded. And I will be unpopular for demanding a return to personal and academic discipline perhaps with the first step being mandatory uniforms and more severe punishments instead of the passive programs of the last two decades.
Do you support the current administration’s focus on revising school curricula and how would you approach curriculum content as lieutenant governor?
Reid: Our students need focused attention on the fundamentals that allow them to grow intellectually and they need to graduate with a warm appreciation for the society they are inheriting instead of arriving at age 18 with hostility and disdain for their own country and culture. The time of anti-western and anti-American indoctrination must stop.
In light of recent controversies involving public officials, how do you plan to uphold and promote ethical standards in your role as lieutenant governor?
Reid: A few key rules: Obey the law. Don’t lie. Be above reproach ethically and stay fully focused on the fundamentals of each task. I try to always be fair- in business and in broadcasting and I will continue to do so in this role.
How do you plan to use your tie-breaking power to influence legislation, and in what areas do you see the most opportunity for bipartisan cooperation?
Reid: It appears that we are entering a very hyper partisan era at the capitol, I am relatively conservative and will vote and advocate with those values as a general guide.
What’s the most important thing for Virginians to know about you?
Reid: I left a successful job and career and a decent paycheck to pursue this job and this leadership opportunity. This is not about money or celebrity status or power or future politics for me, it’s about leading away from zealotry and social justice warrior agendas and making reasonable and responsible and fair decisions so that free citizens can manage their own lives as they see fit.
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Author: Staff Report
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