Candidates in this primary race will only appear on the ballots of Republican residents residing in District 12.
Each nominee had the opportunity to provide a 150-word biography and answer our questions in 700 words.
JACK MARTIN (REP)
ORGANIC :
Hi, I’m Jack Martin, a resident of our district for twenty-five years. I grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey. And married my Seminary School girlfriend. We have been married for 40 years on June 5th. We have six grown children, four girls and two boys. My wife homeschooled all six of them.
In the past, he served as chief shop steward of a 500-person United Paper Makers and Paperworkers union. He then served for several years as an inventory control supervisor for an international cold storage and fire door company.
In 1983, pioneered the Calvary Assembly of God in Fordland Missouri and served in three additional churches as senior pastor for a total of 37 years.
During my years at Gowanda Assembly of God, New York, I also served as principal of Gowanda Christian Academy, a K-12 school.
After 22 years, I walked away from the Praise of God Assembly in Hudson to run for Congress.
Questions and answers :
What is your motivation for applying for this position? Since the late 1960s, America has steadily drifted away from our constitutional foundations. The future of our country as a free nation is uncertain. Just looking at my 5 year old grandson, my six children and the millions of young Americans in our country today is all I need to fight to restore our Republic. Watching our nation drift into socialism and maybe even worse compels me to do whatever I can.
What prompted you to get into politics? September 11, 2001 was a wake-up call; from there, I became politically active at all levels of government, from DC to the state, county, and tri-county school boards. I got involved with the Family Research Council and the Alliance Defending Freedom, both based in DC. I became a member of what is called the Black Robe Regiment (pastors with the courage to speak out on all issues). Americans, in an effort to get along, have allowed our nation to slide into a very dangerous place.
Outline up to four critical issues you will focus on and what a potential policy might look like. Securing the border, guaranteeing the integrity of the elections, controlling inflation and taking a responsible position vis-à-vis China and Russia, who now laugh at us.
There is a series of bills that I will propose in addition to these four keys. Also, the departments I would work to complete, for example the Department of Education, Department of the Interior, and IRS.
How are you going to manage the political divide in Washington? I will work with the Democrats when their proposals are actually good for the nation, but I will strongly oppose the kind of legislation they have introduced in recent years. The time for moral compromises is over. Republicans must work from a position of power. In 1994, Newt Gingrich led what came to be known as “The Contract for America”. Bill Clinton was forced to work with the Republicans, and God willing, we’ll take the house with check digits and we can do the same. Biden’s policies must be reversed.
Besides your experience, what makes you particularly suitable for this office? I am a Christian whose moral compass is not and never will be for sale. Thirty-seven years of ministry have given me unlimited opportunities to prove it. I am altruistic and really seek what is best both for the people of our district but also at the national level. I know the question was outside of my experience, but that being said, my experience matters. At 19, chief shop steward of an AFL CIO union. Aged 23 Inventory control supervisor for an international company. At 30, starting a new church from scratch, pastoring 4 churches, each of which I left in the dark after inheriting 3 in the red. Serve as both pastor and principal of a K-12 Christian school. Established Fire Department Chaplaincy for Spring Hill Fire and Hernando County Fire and serving 17 years while still pastoring in Hudson. A member of the Florida State ESF-8 Emergency Response Team for over 10 years, with over 100 hours of C.IS.M. and PTSD training. I believe that integrity and the courage to do well are essential to the survival of our country. Humbly declare that I possess these qualities and that I will do everything in my power to restore our nation.
BRIAN PERRAS (REP)
ORGANIC :
Brian Perras is a conservative Christian, originally from Pasco County, who lives in his childhood home. Brian graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1996. He is a third generation military veteran. He did, however, enlist in the Navy in 1997; his military career was cut short after suffering an injury. He served on the USS Enterprise and received an honorable discharge. Subsequently, he graduated from SCUN with a Bachelor of Arts.
He lives by his oath to protect and defend the Constitution against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic. The state our Republic finds itself in prompted Brian to run for Congress. “We are no longer represented or protected. I am an American-first Constitutionalist who stands ready to serve and protect WE THE PEOPLE at all costs!
Questions and answers :
What is your motivation for applying for this position? Protect and preserve our Constitutional Republic.
What prompted you to get into politics? I took an oath to protect and defend our Constitution. I cannot, in good conscience, sit and watch America burn.
Outline up to four critical issues you will focus on and what a potential policy might look like.
1. Secure our border – Restore the “Trump Administration” border policies that have been proven and work effectively.
2. Respect the Constitution – Protect and defend our Constitutional God given individual civil liberty rights. Follow the constitutional laws, instill law and order.
3. ProLife – God’s creation must be protected in the womb at conception. All lives matter and are created equally according to God.
4. Empower Military and Veterans – Give them free healthcare, end common baseline assessments, use common sense assessments, and provide holistic solutions. Allow them “bodily autonomy” as written in the Constitution, instead of forced, non-FDA approved coups that are currently dismantling, harming and weakening our military.
How are you going to manage the political divide in Washington? One day at a time with God at the helm, He is my source of strength through prayer and surrender.
Besides your experience, what makes you particularly suitable for this office? I am a Christian Constitutionalist who only wants to serve WE THE PEOPLE. I will not sell or be compromised in my Christian values and standards. Finally, I am a third generation veteran who loves this country and will unapologetically protect it from all enemies foreign and domestic.
CHRIS LEISER (REP)
Questions and answers :
What is your motivation for applying for this position?
God, Our Future, DC has lost sight of Us the people.
What prompted you to get into politics?
Lack of government representation of the people, lack of government integrity and accountability.
Outline up to four critical issues you will focus on and what a potential policy might look like.
Inflation, southern border, human trafficking and safe sources of household energy.
How are you going to manage the political divide in Washington?
Term limits will sort that out pretty quickly. Calling all patriots, we must root out the establishment and create a coalition of the people for the people.
Besides your experience, what makes you particularly suitable for this office?
Compassionate, integrity, team builder, patriotic and free from special interest groups.
Editor’s Note: This contestant did not provide a biography due to a family emergency.
From her campaign website: “God made a way for me before conception. By the grace of God, I know him, I am first and foremost a believer, a father, a husband and a patriot with a deep sense of obligation to us, the people and our constitution. Fourth generation born Floridian, Bartow Polk County in 1978 and graduated from Countryside High School, Clearwater Florida in 1996.”
GUS BILIRAKIS (REP-HOLDER)
Editor’s note: This contestant did not provide a biography or answer our questions. From his campaign website: “Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis was first elected to Congress on November 7, 2006. Gus serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee. He is a ranking member of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee and a member of the Health Subcommittee and the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
SID PRESKITT (REP)
Editor’s note: This contestant did not provide a biography or answer our questions.
Biography from his campaign website: “A lifelong Florida native, Sid is a licensed captain with the U.S. Coast Guard, has worked in the commercial diving industry for over 20 years, and holds numerous diving-related certifications. industry.”
Redistricting
AMERICAN HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
Hernando County is now part of District 12
