Q+A With State Senate Candidate Daniel Gade

EDITOR’S NOTE: There are two candidates running for the Virginia Senate seat that effects Lynchburg and the surrounding areas. Mark Warner, the Democratic candidate, was contacted by the Liberty Champion multiple times and did not respond. Daniel Gade is the Republican candidate. Each candidate was sent the same questions and given a word count to answer them.

Q: Why did you decide to run for office?

A: Since I was 17, I have served the Constitution to protect our rights and way of life, including sacrificing greatly in combat. When I look at America today, I’m concerned that those same rights and our shared values are under attack. My opponent, Mark Warner, is not interested in standing up [to] party bosses or D.C. lobbyists to defend Virginians. He’s just a runof-the-mill career politician more interested in serving himself than serving the public. I have defended America against attacks overseas and I will defend her against attacks here at home as Virginia’s next U.S. senator. Voters have a choice this election to elect a career servant over a career politician.

Q: If you could change one piece of legislation without failure, what would it be?

A: We desperately need a Balanced Budget Amendment. In the last 12 years, our national debt has more than doubled, and we need to hold our elected officials accountable for their failures. In that, I agree with Mark Warner (circa 2007), who said that he was going to be a budget hawk. Sadly, after failing in that attempt, he has become just another tax-and-spend party-line vote.

Q: What will be the first piece of legislation you will work on if elected?

A: Elected officials are in office to serve the public, not themselves. After first hearing about COVID-19 in a private hearing, multiple Democrat and Republican senators walked out of the briefing and instead of working to find a solution against the pandemic, their first call was to their stock brokers. That’s why my first bill in the Senate will be the Stop Insider Trading (SIT) Act. Using your official position for private gain, whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, is an egregious abuse of public office. The SIT Act will force members to put their assets in a blind trust and deny them communication with their stockbrokers. Senators are elected to serve people, not themselves, and Virginia’s fed up with Warner.

Q: How do you plan on changing or maintaining your district?

A: COVID-19 has created a situation where we no longer have a choice on changing the state. Our businesses need help; our health care capacity and schools are being strangled. I am in this race to solve hard problems like these. Mark Warner had a chance to deliver muchneeded relief to Virginia families, including additional testing and vaccine funding. Sadly, he voted to withhold relief from Virginia families because it was a Republican proposal. Career politicians like my opponent view this crisis as a tool to push a partisan agenda and score cheap political points, not solve hard problems like I have done in 25 years of military service. Once we win this war against COVID-19, I will work with Democrats and Republicans to regain our record economic growth, reform a health care system that puts patients first and ensure our education system meets the needs of a post-coronavirus America.

Q: Will your bipartisan cooperation depend on the President elected in November?

A: Absolutely not. My entire life has been about serving America and the Constitution, not a political party or politician. On this issue, me and my opponent couldn’t be more different. My opponent once said he was a moderate, but then he went to Washington and has gone with his party on every major issue. On COVID-19 relief, he voted against much-needed relief because it was a “Republican bill.” On the current Supreme Court battle, he believes President Trump’s nominee shouldn’t have a hearing because it’s an election year, but in 2016 he said Merrick Garland deserved a hearing and an up-or-down vote. He will flip-flop on whatever issue it is to satisfy his party bosses and D.C. lobbyists. The Commonwealth will be the only interest group in mind when I vote on any legislation. Whether you agree with me or not, you will always get the truth.

Q: How do you interpret Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution?

A: No interpretation required. Democrats and Republicans both have used the “general welfare” clause to mean whatever they want it to mean — that’s not its purpose. My interpretation of the federal government’s role is quite narrow compared to most in Washington.