Ken Fortenberry
Party: Republican
Slogan: “Fed Up with Washington”
Profession: Newspaper publisher
Residence: Denver, Lincoln County
Funding: “Top donors are myself, family members and three [other] Denver residents”: Roger Leon, CEO of Rato North America ($1,000); Richard Webb, Belk manager ($1,000); and Joann Hager, animal-rights advocate ($1,100). “I have raised about $15,000.”
Endorsements: “None sought.”
1. What’s the first bill you’ll introduce if elected?
To eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and return control of public schools to the state and local governments. Teachers need to be freed from unnecessary bureaucracy, and children in our classrooms should no longer be used as guinea pigs for social engineering.
2. What local issue do you think you can have the most impact on?
Getting our economy back on track and people back to work by insisting on fiscal responsibility and revamping the U.S. Tax Code. I lean towards a Fair Tax: eliminate the IRS and income taxes, resulting in job creation, and the elimination of tax breaks for the special interests.
3. What do you see as Congress’ role — and yours, if elected — in channeling federal dollars to your district?
I would do everything legally and fiscally responsible to ensure that our district get its fair share return of tax money sent to Washington via necessary and critical programs, but I would not advocate going deeper in debt to “channel” money to the district.
4. Do you support a cap on the national debt based on a percentage of the GDP? (Yes/No) Why?
Yes. Federal government spending is out of control and will never be restrained unless mandates are put into effect. As long as the career politicians like Patrick McHenry and the special-interest lobbyists have their way, taxpayers will always suffer the consequences of their recklessness.
5. What issue(s) do the Asheville and Gastonia areas have in common? How do they differ?
Both need good, stable jobs, but because Asheville is more of a tourist destination than Gastonia it has not been as hard-hit by the recession as Gastonia, where manufacturing has suffered. … [P]eople from Gastonia to Charlotte have much in common when it comes to the issues they are concerned about.
Sum up, in a haiku or limerick or couplet, why people should vote for you.
Fed up with Washington and career politicians?
Send Ken to Congress and make a difference.
A father, grandfather and small businessman,
Ken pledges to be honest and do the best that he can. …
Send Ken to Congress and make Asheville’s voice loud,
He’ll battle for you and will make everyone proud.
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