Candidate Q&A: 8th Congressional District

Three candidates are vying for the Republican vote in the Aug. 9 primary to face Democrat Tom Nelson in the November election for the Congressional seat that Reid Ribble is giving up after three terms. The candidates, listed alphabetically by last name, are Mike Gallagher of Green Bay, a former Marine who holds a doctoral degree in international relations from Georgetown University; 1^st District state Senator Frank Lasee; and Forestville Village President Terry McNulty, who last made an unsuccessful run for the 1^st Assembly District seat in 2014.

Mike Gallagher

Why do you want to represent the people of the 8th District in Washington?

I was born at St. Mary’s hospital in Green Bay into a big Irish Catholic family that instilled in me a respect for hard work, faith in God, and service to country. I joined the U.S. Marine Corps the day I graduated from college to pay back a debt I owed to my family and this community. In my seven years on active duty and during two combat deployments to Iraq, I saw young men and women from across this country do incredible things in spite of the odds, working together to accomplish the mission. Yet I came home to see politicians who were unwilling to do the same and who flushed all our hard-won progress down the drain. More troubling, the source of our strength – the strength of our communities and our economy – is deteriorating. The country we love is slowly slipping away because of a lack of leadership and moral courage from politicians who care more about their careers and paychecks than the future of our Republic. I cannot sit on the sidelines and allow this to continue without a fight.

In light of this most unusual of presidential elections in which members of your party are having trouble supporting the Republican candidate, what is more important to you, party or country?

God and country. I’m a conservative and believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for advancing conservative ideas of limited government, individual freedom, and national security, but I didn’t join the Marine Corps to defend the Republican Party. I joined the Marines to defend the country, the Constitution, and the God-given rights it secures. Having written my dissertation on the evolution of the presidency, I believe both parties have been complicit in expanding presidential powers beyond all limits, both parties have expanded federal power at the expense of states and local communities, and both parties have incrementally undermined the Constitution and turned our system of government into a free-for-all for special interests. I will never hesitate to call out a policy, a party, or a President that I believe threatens our rights, our safety, or our pursuit of happiness and prosperity in Northeast Wisconsin.

Do you support the Republican presidential candidate?

I was on duty the night of September 11, 2012 at the National Counterterrorism Center, the night four Americans were killed in Benghazi, and my team wrote one of the first assessments of what had happened. To subsequently see the way in which Secretary Clinton and her team spun that tragedy to get re-elected and distract from the complete failure of their policy in Libya was a shameful reminder of the dangers of leading from behind. Hillary Clinton failed the commander-in-chief test for me that night and I could not, in good conscience, trust my Marines’ lives in her hands. I’m going to vote Republican and I pray every day God grants all those running for office the wisdom and humility to lead the country through these dangerous times. But honestly I think most people feel left behind by careerist elites in both parties and while I disagree with Trump on issues, that is something that I believe he is correct on. Consider the fact that approximately 70 percent of citizens think the country is headed on the wrong track….that our future will not be as bright as our past. That’s tragic. Our government, whether Congress, the President or the bureaucracy, can and must do better.

Rep. Ribble referred to himself as one of the most conservative members of the House, yet he was willing to reach across the aisle to get things done. Voters are obviously frustrated with the divisive ideological and partisan politicking in Washington and Madison. What is your view on bipartisanship? Could you identify some areas where you see particular opportunities for bipartisan cooperation?

Bipartisanship is dead or dying because, ironically, career politicians in both parties agree on one big thing: getting re-elected or running for the next highest office is more important than getting things done. I’m a conservative and am going to fight with everything I have to get government off our backs, out of our wallets, and force Congress to do its job. But the military taught me how to build teams to get things done and I believe you can do that without compromising your principles. As conservatives, we should not be afraid to share our ideas even among those with whom we disagree. And when we disagree we can do so with facts and principle vs political gamesmanship and scorched-earth rhetoric. Maybe I am optimistic, but I strongly believe that there is still more that unites us as Wisconsinites and Americans than divides us, and if the politicians would stop always planning for their next election, maybe they could see that too.

For example, there are two issues I have pledged to tackle that I believe people on both sides of the aisle can get behind. The first is congressional reform, and specifically “No Budget, No Pay” legislation. Like in any ordinary job, if you don’t do that job you shouldn’t collect a paycheck. If Congress can’t do its basic job of passing a budget, it shouldn’t get paid. I’ll sponsor legislation to do that within my first 100 days in office and push it with my colleagues going forward. The second is fixing the VA. It is a stain on our country’s honor that so many veterans will die waiting for care, to say nothing of the growing problem of veteran suicide. The fact that so many brave men and women, many of whom survived combat overseas only to perish at home because systems failed, because we as a nation failed to have their backs and serve them here as they served us over there, should serve as a national wake up call that transcends party lines.

What do you believe to be the most important issues facing your potential 8th District constituents?

The first is keeping our country safe, particularly from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism. We face many threats but this is the most urgent. The town in Iraq that I deployed to is now under ISIS control…and because we have failed to lead abroad, we are no longer safe here at home. We just suffered the worst terrorist attack on US soil since 9/11 and the largest loss of law enforcement life since 9/11.

Second, we need to get our fiscal house in order and helping working families in Wisconsin keep more of what they earn. A child born today inherits about $55,000 in debt. In just five years from now, our government will be spending more on paying the interest on the national debt than on our national defense. Meanwhile, our broken tax code and out-of-control regulations are slowly strangling the middle-class and, with it, the American dream. I work in a small business and for those who have tried to start or grow a small business, you know that after the government takes its toll, you start to wonder why you even took the risk in the first place.

Third, the only way we begin to restore trust in government is by forcing Congress to do its actual job and by returning power back to the people. We have allowed government to creep more and more into our daily lives, which not only threatens the constitutional liberties we have fought and bled for, but also undermines the strength of our communities and our families. My belief is that by returning to the Constitution, and devolving power and authority from the central government back down to the states and the local level, we can embark on a golden age of bottom-up experimentation, innovation and progress.

One of Rep. Ribble’s initiatives was to focus attention on the agricultural, industrial and municipal pollution that has created a dead zone in the bay of Green Bay. Will you continue his work in this area?

Absolutely. My grandpa had a farm in Denmark, WI and growing up, I spent all my summers on the waters of Lake Michigan (my family had a place in Dyckesville) and fishing in the Bay of Green Bay. When the Marine Corps later sent me to Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school, I learned that being able to live in the wilderness was not just a pastime, but often a matter of life and death. Our vast natural resources are a part of what makes Wisconsin such a special place to call home. And it’s our responsible and balanced stewardship of these national treasures that will secure them for generations to come while still providing enjoyment, income, and beauty for us today. While some of us may have differing views on some policies or methods, our goals are the same. I have spoken with both Congressman Ribble and Representative Joel Kitchens about the role I can play in ensuring that the “Save the Bay” campaign continues. By bringing together local community leaders and people that are knowledgeable and personally invested in the issue, we can develop innovative solutions that a top-down approach from the government could not produce.

In a recent poll, both Wisconsin residents and U.S. residents were 82 percent in support of denying people on the no-fly list the ability to purchase guns. Would you be with the 82 percent who support the measure or the 18 percent who would continue to allow the sale of guns to people on no-fly lists? Do you see anything wrong with U.S. gun laws?

The highest function of the federal government is to protect the homeland. In order to keep the people of Northeast Wisconsin and the rest of the country safe we need to be aggressive in the fight against radical Islamic terrorism—in all forms and via all methods. We must pursue those who seek to harm us regardless of what weapon they choose. As we have painfully witnessed in France recently, a person seeking to kill will use any method possible, whether firearm, homemade bombs, or even trucks. The simple fact is that if we do not get serious about destroying ISIS and its ability to gain and maintain territory abroad, then it will continue to grow in the hearts and minds of young Muslims around the world and threaten us here at home, regardless of what gun laws are on the books.

And that’s a fundamental problem with our efforts: our inability to adequately enforce the laws that are already on the books. Why is it that, in a place like Milwaukee, federal firearms prosecutions are down at the same time violent crime is up? It has become clear that the FBI does not have the resources it needs to run thorough background checks. The FBI is also currently investigating more than 1,000 people in all 50 states that it suspects may have a connection to ISIS, but reportedly only has the resources to persistently track about 48 those people. The simple fact is that we need to do a better job of enforcing our current laws and providing resources for those government organizations that are charged with keeping us safe. We also need to end this growing culture of hostility towards law enforcement professionals, who risk their lives every single day to keep us safe. That’s also why I’m proud to have the endorsement of all 11 county sheriffs in the 8th District.

There has been much talk from Republicans about dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Where do you stand on the issue? If you are in favor of dismantling ACA, what would you like to see in its place for the many Americans who cannot afford health insurance?

I grew up in a family of physicians in Northeast Wisconsin, and I know how important it is to have quality, timely, and affordable health care. And remember that Obama came to Green Bay in June 2009 to begin his push for Obamacare precisely because Wisconsin has some of the best hospitals and health care professionals in the country. Yet by taking power from Wisconsin and centralizing it in Washington, Obamacare is hurting Wisconsinites and collapsing under its own weight. Obamacare took our country’s broken healthcare and made parts of it much worse. Obamacare has resulted in millions of Americans losing access to their doctors and seeing their premiums skyrocket. And it’s getting worse.

That is why I believe Obamacare must be responsibly repealed and replaced. We need patient-centered, free-market reforms to move our health care system in the right direction. We need to reduce Washington’s control over healthcare by giving states more control over Medicaid and insurance regulation and individuals and employers more freedom to select health plans that best fit their needs. We can do this while protecting people with pre-existing conditions from discrimination without the costly mandates and taxes of Obamacare. Such common-sense reforms will lower premium costs and allow Wisconsinites to be in charge of their own health care rather than unelected bureaucrats in Washington, DC.

Is global warming a serious problem?

Protecting the natural beauty of Northeast Wisconsin and preserving the environment for the next generation is indisputably one of our most important obligations. The key is that we must strike a balance between preserving both our environment and our economy. Personally, I do not feel that the two are mutually exclusive. As your congressman, I will stand firm against job-killing federal regulations, while working with private sector leaders to harness the strength of America’s energy sector. I do not believe we should sacrifice economic growth and opportunity here in Wisconsin and around the world in the hopes of mitigating carbon emissions by an amount nobody will ever be able to measure. Obama’s Clean Power Plan is a particularly terrible idea that won’t meaningfully affect the climate but will cost Wisconsin thousands of jobs and will leave a huge portion of our nation’s economic activity subject to the command-and-control of the Environmental Protection Agency. I will use my private sector experience in the energy industry to fight for common-sense solutions. Particularly here in Northeast Wisconsin, the environment is far too valuable to be subjected to partisan bickering.

What separates you from your opponents and why should voters choose you on Aug. 9 to face off against Democrat Tom Nelson in the November election?

First, I’m not a career politician. This isn’t a stepping-stone for me. It’s about service. We need leaders who will treat public office like a deployment, not a career.

Second, my background is a unique mix of military, national security, academic, and private sector experience. At a time of growing economic and foreign policy crises, I intend to use this experience to fight to keep our country safe, keep government off our backs and out of our wallet, and to force Congress to do its job.

Third, as a younger candidate, I hope to reach millennials. I believe it is urgent that conservatives find a way to reach younger voters. The fact that many millennials have favorable views of socialism should keep everyone up at night. My hope is that if we can start to turn the tide, that if we can start to solve problems rather than punting them to the next generation (i.e. my generation), we can also start to restore within that generation a sense of civic duty, of service to country.

Frank Lasee

Bio: I was born in a military hospital at Camp Pendleton while my father was serving as a Marine. My family soon moved back to the heart of the 8th Congressional District in the Green Bay Area where I grew up near my extended family with a six generation heritage in the Fox Valley.

I went to grade school and high school in Green Bay Area and earned my B.A. at UW-Green Bay. I have worked in and served this area nearly my entire life. I reside in De Pere and am happily married to Amy Joy Lasee and together we have a blended family with seven children (ranging from 3 to 20).

I have brought a wide range of private sector experience and professional expertise to my legislative service. I worked in sales, served in local government as Chairman, Town of Ledgeview, and have a real estate broker and insurance agent licenses. I have never lost touch with hardworking people or the importance of allowing the private sector to thrive without government interference.

The hallmarks of my legislative work have been cutting taxes, fighting for individual liberties, and slashing government red tape to help businesses create higher paying jobs. I’ve never been afraid to take on the establishment or fight for what is right for the people I represent. I always take a strong stand on issues, defend my votes, and work to build consensus through clear communication.

Why do you want to represent the people of the 8th District in Washington?

I am running for congress because I can use my skill and experience to help restore the principles that made our nation the greatest on earth. I will work tirelessly to move our country in the right direction by promoting individual liberties and sound fiscal policy. Our children are counting on us, even if they don’t know it yet. We are a country in both fiscal and security crisis. We need strong leadership to pass along the torch of freedom to future generations.

In light of this most unusual of presidential elections in which members of your party are having trouble supporting the Republican candidate, what is more important to you, party or country?

The differences between the party nomination processes could not be starker. The Democrats have been exposed for rigging their nomination process to impose a top-down coronation of their preferred candidate. The Republicans on the other hand, saw a grassroots movement culminate in the choice candidate of the people receiving the nomination. I support the people choosing their nominee, not the elitist party leadership. I support the nominee people the chose and believe our country and party will be better served because of it. Doing the right thing for our state or nation has always been more important to me than what some power broker at the party may want.

Do you support the Republican presidential candidate?

I absolutely support our nominee. Trump is far better than Hillary to make progress in our nation’s Capitol. Republicans will be able to advance our policies, appoint constitutionally-minded Supreme Court Justices, and uphold our values and principles. If we do not support our nominee, we will be left with a Hillary Clinton presidency.

Rep. Ribble referred to himself as one of the most conservative members of the House, yet he was willing to reach across the aisle to get things done. Voters are obviously frustrated with the divisive ideological and partisan politicking in Washington and Madison. What is your view on bipartisanship? Could you identify some areas where you see particular opportunities for bipartisan cooperation?

Over 95 percent of bills passed in Wisconsin are bipartisan. I have worked closely with my democrat colleagues on issues of commonality and importance to the people of our state. Whether it is issues of insurance, environment, tourism, jobs, or schools, there is common ground to be had. When common ground is available, I am always quick to build consensus. When there is an issue of bed-rock, foundational principle, however, I will not compromise my beliefs or go back on the promises I have made to the people who I am representing.

What do you believe to be the most important issues facing your potential 8th District constituents?

The overspending and the never ending stream of regulations coming from Washington DC. Our country is spending $600 billion more than we are taking in. Adding to our $19 trillion debt. At some point the interest on this debt will crowd out a lot of other spending. This will hurt our economy and our families. I will reign in the EPA, negotiate for fair trade deals, and ensure sensible regulations which balance environmental protections and job creation in our district.

One of Rep. Ribble’s initiatives was to focus attention on the agricultural, industrial and municipal pollution that has created a dead zone in the bay of Green Bay. Will you continue his work in this area?

I have an intimate knowledge of the area’s challenges when it comes to geology and industry. I have worked with the DNR, EPA, Army Corp of Engineers, industry heads, and local leaders to develop solutions which balance the needs of the region. I will continue to move forward on these because they are of critical importance to the long-term success of our region. We need to protect our environment and have economic success.

In a recent poll, both Wisconsin residents and U.S. residents were 82 percent in support of denying people on the no-fly list the ability to purchase guns. Would you be with the 82 percent who support the measure or the 18 percent who would continue to allow the sale of guns to people on no-fly lists? Do you see anything wrong with U.S. gun laws?

Now there is no due process followed when an individual is placed on the no-fly list. Most people are not informed they are on the list until they book a flight and stand in line. Additionally, once a person on the list finds out they are on the list, there is no process to dispute this placement, remove one’s name, or verify this is actually the correct person. Until there is a stronger record of due-process, the constitutional rights for individuals should not be infringed or tied to this list.

The problem I see with gun laws in America is that they are not enforced. Liberal judges in Milwaukee and around the nation continue to let criminals who commit crimes with guns off easy, instead of sentencing them to the fullest extent of the law. We need to enforce the laws we have.

There has been much talk from Republicans about dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Where do you stand on the issue? If you are in favor of dismantling ACA, what would you like to see in its place for the many Americans who cannot afford health insurance?

The ACA must be repealed and replaced with a market-based, multi-state private system which encourages competition, increases options, and serves the needs of patients, not hospitals. Studies have shown that premiums have actually increased in many state because of the ACA due to limited options and high cost of regulation.

Is global warming a serious problem?

I believe we should be good stewards of the earth that God has given us and also be sensible and realistic about the ways in which we do that. Historically we know of two other periods of global warming, from 400BC to the time of Christ and from 1000 to 1400AD. I do not believe we should cripple the American workforce, make us all pay double or triple for electricity, and ship jobs overseas because of regulations that other countries are not willing to follow.

What separates you from your opponents and why should voters choose you on Aug. 9 to face off against Democrat Tom Nelson in the November election?

I am not the Washington DC establishment pick. I have not received $250,000 from the DC area or over $500,000 from out of state interests. I have a proven record you can count on. I have a clear consistent conservative voting record and of leadership. I take my elected public service seriously. I have a clear vision for a safer, more prosperous country. A country that is freer, secures our borders, lives within its means and provides a place for regular folks with families to get ahead.

Terry McNulty

Bio: McNulty is Pro-Life and Pro-Family, and has been married for 23 years to his lovely wife Lori. Together they have twin daughters Amber and Erin in their first year at UW schools.

McNulty has a well established reputation for his impeccable work ethic, never wavering attention to detail and service to the community. He and his wife own and operate “McNulty Surveying and Mapping”, a small, family run business, located in Forestville for more than 17 years.

McNulty has held several leadership positions in the community. He currently holds the elected offices of President for the Village of Forestville, as a member of the Board of Education at Southern Door County School District and former Treasurer, is a former Commander of the Forestville American Legion and current County Commander and is a member of Kewaunee chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

McNulty is a United States Army veteran, whose career spans over 20 years and is decorated for his service to our nation in two wars – Operation Desert Storm and The Global War on Terrorism. Through his faithful service and dedication to our nation he has been bestowed with many awards and accolades including “The Meritorious Service Medal.”

Why do you want to represent the people of the 8th District in Washington?

I say over and over because the status quo is not good. What I mean is I am one of those people that don’t believe our government is working effectively or how it should. I’ve seen career politicians and super legislators cost us all. They say anything and do nothing. I told my State Senator I think the people deserve a choice when I announced my candidacy with no press affair and of course he was gone by then too. Just an example of how law makers don’t listen to us. How is that representing us? I am a guy that gets things done.

In light of this most unusual of presidential elections in which members of your party are having trouble supporting the Republican candidate, what is more important to you, party or country?

The McNulty family loves this Country, that should be clear from about 65 total years of service already. Our Country is more important than any Party but I have said from back in March if the people pick Donald Trump we have to be behind him because there is no way I can see anybody should be able to trust another power hungry Clinton that definitely plays by different rules than those she wants to rule.

Do you support the Republican presidential candidate?

Yes, and I will add the people’s choice.

Rep. Ribble referred to himself as one of the most conservative members of the House, yet he was willing to reach across the aisle to get things done. Voters are obviously frustrated with the divisive ideological and partisan politicking in Washington and Madison. What is your view on bipartisanship? Could you identify some areas where you see particular opportunities for bipartisan cooperation?

There are several areas most people can agree with. We need to get those common interests taken care of and that would be something good for most people. Talking to a Democratic Party Candidate last weekend we actually agree on enforcing the law and both parties talk of tax reform but we need somebody to get it done.

What do you believe to be the most important issues facing your potential 8th District constituents?

Most issues locally are local but the number of non-citizen people in this area has started to cost us. Remember I just came off another term from a local school board where we had to hire an interpreter? I am a local official that has seen a transient population coming and going in our little Village. Most people are much more at ease when they know their neighbors.

I am talking about taking care of business and fiscal issues so debt doesn’t enslave my children or future grandchildren. Mr. Ribble and a few others in Congress have a couple of bills I really like but didn’t get them to the floor I will work with them to get them heard. I don’t plan to go to Washington DC to dial for dollars as I’m sure we can expect from some and haven’t already cut any back room deals that some have already thought they decided this race for.

One of Rep. Ribble’s initiatives was to focus attention on the agricultural, industrial and municipal pollution that has created a dead zone in the bay of Green Bay. Will you continue his work in this area?

It is good to be up on what is happening on this issue but I really think these problems are local issues. Our 10th Amendment to the Constitution gives most decisions actually back to the State and if it isn’t a law at that level to address something locally then even local governments can be more restrictive.

In a recent poll, both Wisconsin residents and U.S. residents were 82 percent in support of denying people on the no-fly list the ability to purchase guns. Would you be with the 82 percent who support the measure or the 18 percent who would continue to allow the sale of guns to people on no-fly lists? Do you see anything wrong with U.S. gun laws?

While this sounds like common sense the bigger problem is who and how people get on this governmental list. Law abiding citizens should not be restricted but too many are in this Country today that are not interested in really being American. They are raised to hate our free society? Isn’t vetting people and mental illness really the problem not a political list?

There has been much talk from Republicans about dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Where do you stand on the issue? If you are in favor of dismantling ACA, what would you like to see in its place for the many Americans who cannot afford health insurance?

I don’t believe yet it is Constitutional to tell anybody they have to buy anything. The “Affordable Care Act” did nothing to improve health care in fact it chased many good physicians out of practice with red tape while big insurance companies make record profits. There are actually parts of the ACA that have not been enforced because they would have been so bad like the “luxury tax.” Those parts not in force should be easily argued un-enforceable and there are parts people do like as keeping children on plans longer and the so called pre-existing condition part. I am not an attorney so I don’t really know if the entire LAW can be repealed but it can be improved. I’d like to see patients in charge of their health care and decisions on how that happens to be between them and the doctor they choose.

Is global warming a serious problem?

Weather is cyclical. After the last couple winters we just had, which were much like the late 70’s, with freezing water lines and septic systems and pretty good snow falls that actually brought Lake Michigan water levels of the bays up I think I answered the question.

What separates you from your opponents and why should voters choose you on Aug. 9 to face off against Democrat Tom Nelson in the November election?

I am not a career politician or a Washington DC type. I am the local guy that is most like people here. It is hard for me to just say anything and do nothing. I come from a smaller government perspective where we don’t ask if your Democrat or Republican but we have a budget and have to get things done to take care of people and at the end of my military career taking care of people was also a major duty of mine. I am the working man in this race and I think people can see we have worked hard to get out all over the District (11 Counties). I don’t have special interest but four points I think will make for a more effective and representative government and actually be good for most people. Finally I do have a public record and I ask people to look. This is the guy that has gotten things done.