Nevada Appeal Candidate Guide: U.S. Representative in Congress, District 2

The U.S. representative in Congressional District 2 holds a two-year term. Registered Democrats are asked to vote for one candidate. The winner of the Democrat race will compete against the independent candidates and against Republican incumbent Mark Amodei in November. Amodei is running unopposed in the primary.

DEMOCRATS

Sam Dehne

Residence: Reno

Occupation: Retired Air Force pilot

Age: 71

Contact: renocitizen@gmail.com; www.renocitizen.com

Education: Graduate United States Air Force Academy

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I have used what I learned in my 26-year military career, to be THE voice for the people of Northern Nevada for 18 years. Philanthropically. Dehne's ubiquitous presence at government podiums throughout Northern Nevada has made him a household name and has endeared him to the citizenry. But not to the bureaucrats.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

Two of the many: 1. Vote stealing must be stopped. The punishment for this Treachery must be severe. 2. Campaign contribution bribes must be stopped. Money should not buy elections.

Why should voters choose you over the other candidates?

Because Dehne does it his way (see YouTube and website). And will continue to do so. I will try to represent Nevada in Congress to the same degree I represent America. I will be a Nevada congressman.

Samuel Koepnick

Residence: Carson City

Occupation: IT professional

Age: 30

Contact: 775-453-4726; skoepnick@samkoepnick.com; samkoepnick.com/; Facebook: facebook.com/samuelkoepnick; Twitter: @samuelkoepnick

Education: University of Nevada, George Bush School of Government and Public Service - Certificate; Texas A&M University - Masters.

Why should voters choose you over the other candidates?

It's difficult to trace what is wrong with our political system. Corruption and scandal are systemic. Both parties hold equal share of the blame and are completely unwilling to come together on anything. I am not a special man, I don't come from money and I don't seek power. Like many of you I work my 40 hours per week and am becoming increasingly worried about our economy. I don't have all of the answers, but I do believe that I am flexible enough to compromise with my colleagues from across the aisle and young enough to accept new ideas. I can't promise instant change, but I can promise dedication, transparency, and a self-imposed two-term limit. It is my fervent belief that our system will only be fixed when the common man can oust career politicians, and install men and women who understand how life is lived by the 99 percent.

Xiomara "Xio" Rodriguez

Residence: Reno

Occupation: Business owner, military retiree

Age: 61

Contact: 775-848-2450; xio4congress@gmail.com; www.xio4congress.com

Education: University of Puerto Rico (degree in history and theater), George Mason University (degree in sociology with a minor in deviant behavior), TMCC (obtained a degree as a paralegal).

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I have a very diverse background that allows me to understand many segments of the population. Joined the U. S. Coast Guard in 1977 and retired in 1997 after 20 years of service. During the time in the Coast Guard, was the first Latina to be a recruiter for the Coast Guard and also the first Latina to be a special agent with the Coast Guard Investigative Service. I worked in the surveillance department of the Atlantis Casino and I am a small-business owner. I have held several positions within the Democratic Party of Washoe County and also very active within the community.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

My goal is to help to create jobs, so we can reduce the unemployment rate in Nevada and get our people back to work. This will help get the economy moving. It is time for tax reform that is fair to everyone, not just a small segment of the population. We need to ensure that women have access to the health care they need, without very restrictive regulations and reporting procedures for doctors.

It is also time to solve our immigration issues. We need comprehensive immigration reform, but not by allowing states to enact draconian laws aimed at one group of immigrants.

Why should voters choose you over the other candidates?

I am not a career politician. I am a person who has seen a need and is willing to step up, because it is time to stop playing politics with the people of Nevada and this country. We need to work together to move this state and this country forward. We cannot continue to be content with party line actions that affect us all. The people of Nevada deserve a representative who is willing to work for them, not broken promises, inaction and the "party line."

INDEPENDENT AMERICAN PARTY

Russell Best

Residence: Lyon County

Occupation: Disabled veteran retired

Age: 61

Contact: 775-434-8807; best4congress@gmail.com; www.best4congress.com

Education: Member in the Army R.O.T.C.; U.S. Navy; Moorpark College.

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I believe my background in the military, oil companies, mortgage banking, real estate, small business and as a developer has given me more insight than most, not including how the Veterans Administration works to help vets like me and others hurt while in the service.

 What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

 I believe in a strict adherence to the U.S. Constitution including religious freedom. I propose and support legislation requiring Congress to identify and verify that all new proposed legislation meets specific U.S. Constitution guidance. Study passed and current legislation to determine adherence to strict constitutional principles with the goal of eliminating all unconstitutional executive orders, bills, laws, and health care, etc. I believe in veterans rights and balance the federal budget. I stand firm for capitalism principles as the bedrock for American free market. Lower or eliminate taxes on businesses to encourage job creation.

Why should voters choose you over the other candidates?

I have the knowledge and the ability to get the job done, I believe in the Constitution and we must follow it and go back its roots and principals, this will get us away from the World Order. And go back to the gold standard and balanced budget, we need to make Congress know that they need term limits like the president and they need to get rid of all their retirement programs and go back to the same program we have Social Security, Medicare, etc., this will fix.

INDEPENDENT

Michael Haines

Residence: Reno

Occupation: Business owner

Age: 43

Contact: www.michaellhaines.com

Education: Cerritos College (Criminal Law)

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

I am a working class business owner who is here to be the voice of the people and to serve the United States Constitution. Being a business owner gives me the experience to create jobs for District 2 and all of Nevada.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

Jobs, tourism and education.

Why should voters choose you over the other candidates?

Our country needs to rebuild for all who live in this great country and in order to do this, we all need to clean out all the politicians in Congress and start over one congressional seat at a time. Both parties are to blame for this economical disaster.