Mike R. Turner (D)
Office Sought: U.S. House, District 10 (D)
Age: 58
Residence: Waterford, VA
Education: BS, political science and international affairs, U.S. Air Force Academy; MA, business, Chapman University.
Occupation: Congressional candidate.
Web site:http://www.MikeTurnerforCongress.com
E-mail address: mike@miketurnerforcongress.com
Offices and positions held: Past precinct operations chair, Loudoun County Democratic Committee; member, VFW Post 1177, Leesburg; member, Jolly Green Association (Air Rescue Helicopters); member, Air Rescue Association; member, Military Officer's Association; member, Mensa; certified ski instructor, Professional Ski Instructors of America, Rocky Mt. Division.
What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?
The War in Iraq is reducing our national security and draining the federal budget $15 billion per month, while damaging our nation's reputation worldwide. I predicted the major problems that would arise in Iraq as a commentator on CNN before the war began. Also, I have endorsed "The Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq". Sadly, years of inattention by our current congressman have also made transportation, housing, health care, and veterans' health care urgent quality of life issues in the 10th district that must be addressed.
Why should voters elect you?
My 35 years of public service have demonstrated that I can provide substantive leadership as a congressman. Throughout my career in the military and in national non-profit organizations, I have consistently "walked the walk." My proven strength is building successful coalitions and solving problems in practical, sustainable ways. My primary opponent lost last time by 16 points and cannot beat the incumbent, Frank Wolf. Based on our informal polling, my background, experience, and accomplishments, as well as my detailed positions on the issues, provide my candidacy with more widespread appeal than my primary opponent for voters across the 10th District.
By summer 2011, it is predicted, Northern Virginia could be facing blackouts due to its growing demand for energy. Should Congress intervene now to prevent that possibility, and if so, what is the most important single step it could take?
It is important for Congress to develop cutting edge, environmentally sound, planned responses to this urgent need for reliable electricity. The proposed Dominion Power transmission line project is not the answer. Building archaic, overland transmission lines to connect to obsolete Ohio River Valley coal-fired plants is not a wise approach. We must provide tax incentives for (a) the purchase of more energy efficient appliances by homebuilders and homeowners, and (b) installation of automated load management systems that curtail demand during peak usage periods. Security of the electric grid is another high priority that must be addressed by our government.
What impact does immigration have on your district?
The presence of about 14 million undocumented aliens in this country is an issue that must be addressed, but we need rational, coherent discussions to solve the problem, not hate-based rhetoric. We must secure our borders using alternatives to a costly and ineffective wall. This is an issue of supply and demand. Since the Reagan amnesty program, we have turned a blind eye to illegal immigration for more than 30 years. We must provide employers with highly reliable means to check citizenship, design a transition program to assimilate immigrants who seek citizenship, and establish a guest worker program.
What steps, if any, should the federal government take to address funding issues for transportation projects?
I support the Chesapeake Crescent initiative, which is starting to address urban planning, including transportation, as a regional problem rather than a local problem. I will work to make the 10th Congressional District ground zero for a "New Apollo Project," which will create an exciting new "green sector" throughout America. Among other things, this would require federal incentives to support innovative "green solutions," including new cost-effective mass transit systems, applications of technology to create "smart highways" that alleviate congestion, and an infrastructure for electric vehicles.
-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.
