Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Tidewater News conducted email interviews with the four Republican candidates seeking the 2nd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The 2nd District includes all of Franklin and Isle of Wight County and part of Southampton County. In the June 21 primary the GOP nominee will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria in November.

Tommy Altman

Age: 41

Place of birth: Portsmouth Naval Hospital

Education: Regent University – BA Religious Studies

Occupation: Small business owner / Tattoo artist

Number of years living in District 2: 41

Faith affiliation: Christian

Current or prior elected offices held: None

1. Can you briefly summarize why you decided to run for the Republican nomination in the 2nd District Congressional race?

I never wanted to get into politics but politics invaded my life when the government shut down my business, our churches and our schools. At a time when we needed community the most, our government stood in the way. Our children were forced home, falling behind in education. Big Government failed us. We need a conservative fighter in Congress. We don’t need someone planning their next step up the political ladder. This campaign is about We the People of the 2nd district of VA making our voices heard again in our government for us and for our next generation. We must preserve American freedoms and opportunities for them.

2. Who is your political role model? Why?

My political role model is Jesus of Nazareth because he sought to work outside of the typical political power structures at the time to truly reach people. That is what I hope to do; be a voice for the middle class, the average American. We’re the backbone of our nation and we have been largely ignored.

3. As the country awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to overturn Roe v. Wade, what federal legislation, if any, would you support to address abortion nationally?

I am unashamedly pro-life and I believe that life begins at conception. I would work to move the needle in that direction. I’m saddened that it took 50 years for the Supreme Court to recognize Roe was bad law.

4. What should be Congress’s top priority right now?

Every day we drive by a gas station we are reminded of the failed Biden economy. Congress should seek to fix economy by promoting American manufacturing and business starting with becoming energy independent again. Second, we must secure our border. What is happening at our southern border is not a political issue. It is a human issue. The human trafficking happening is atrocious and enough fentanyl has crossed the southern border to kill every American multiple times over. We’ve lost a 16 y.o. girl right here in our district from Ocean Lakes High School due to fentanyl. We must secure the border and those coming into our country must use the legal immigration system we have in place. Lastly, Congress must provide true oversight to not allow unelected bureaucrats to impose their will on the American people.

5. Is America doing enough to support Ukraine? What would you like to see done differently?

Let’s be honest about how we got here: President Obama’s woefully poor handling of the Russian annexation of Crimea. Obama was a 21st Century Neville Chamberlain and the best way to support Ukraine would’ve been to not send the message that Putin could take what he wanted without consequence.

6. How should Congress address the inflation and supply chain shortages that have been affecting the nation and world over the past several months?

Restarting the Keystone Pipeline would drop global oil prices overnight and send a message that America is serious about being energy self-reliant. This would lower inflation and supply chain costs that have hurt every American at the pump, at the store and return us to a competitive and strong economy.

7. According to CDC data, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are again on the rise, with Suffolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach having moved from “low” to “medium” transmission as of May 24. In light of this trend, what if any precautions should government take?

I believe the government’s duty during a pandemic is to identify the threat, inform the people, identify who would be the most vulnerable, make suggested courses of action and then allow the free men and women of the U.S. to make their own health and safety decisions they feel are best for themselves and their families.

8. What is your opinion of the House special committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol?

I believe we have a rule of law that must be followed, and I also believe that House Select Committees shouldn’t be partisan witch-hunts. I have no confidence in Nancy Pelosi doing anything fair, impartial and nonpartisan. Having people imprisoned by our government for over a year without due process is akin to political prisoners and is an insult to the memory of all of our heroes in uniform that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the freedoms she affords to every one of her citizens. Any member sitting on the Jan 6th Committee that is not advocating for the fair treatment under the law for anyone arresting by our government is guilty of the same offense.

Andy Baan

Age: 64

Place of birth: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Education:

M.S. – Cybersecurity – Norfolk State University

M.A. – National Security and Strategic Studies (strategic planning focus) – Naval War College

J.D. – The Dickinson School of Law

B.A.x 2 – Government and International Studies/German – University of Notre Dame

Occupation: Cybersecurity consultant

Number of years living in District 2: 20+

Faith affiliation: Roman Catholic

Current or prior elected offices held: None

1. Can you briefly summarize why you decided to run for the Republican nomination in the 2nd District Congressional race?

I am concerned about the country we are turning over to our children.

We need to restore the prosperity of Virginians. We need to stop inflation now, and demand fiscal responsibility for the sake of our children’s future.

We need to restore faith in our country. The United States is a force for good in the world and has been since our founding. We need to protect our institutions, including our system of government described by the Constitution—particularly what makes us all equal–an election system with integrity that gives us all an equal voice. We also need to restore the credibility of our government.

Education is what gives us all opportunity, and the ability to compete in an increasingly international labor market. We need high standards, and ensure that zip codes don’t decide a person’s future–school choice will provide both through competition.

2. Who is your political role model? Why?

Former Senator Bill Armstrong. He was firm in his convictions, but was named the most polite legislator. From an article about him from Newsmax upon his death: “Armstrong was unique among high profile conservative politicians in that despite his hard-core economic conservatism and anti-Communist stance, despite his firm commitment to the right-to-life, he was rarely — if ever — attacked by Democratic opponents or anyone on the left.

His gentle manners, booming laugh, and steadfast refusal to say a harsh word about anyone transcended any controversy his philosophical views would otherwise engender.

As veteran GOP political consultant Matt Keelen put it, “Bill Armstrong was a compassionate conservative before it was cool.”

“I’ll remember him as Mr. Integrity” a colleague said, “His example helped a generation understand what true service to others is all about.”

“He made himself clear without making himself offensive. He was friendly, direct, civil, ambitious and kind — a rare combination.”

3. As the country awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to overturn Roe v. Wade, what federal legislation, if any, would you support to address abortion nationally?

My guide is the Constitution, and the overturning of Roe, which is what the Supreme Court should do, would simply return the issue to the states, where according to the Constitution it belongs. There is nothing that Congress should do on the issue, except prohibit the use of Federal funds toward abortion. I am in favor of that policy.

4. What should be Congress’s top priority right now?

Spending and the debt are linked together, so together they make my top priority for the sake of our country’s future. We need to reduce the debt obligation that we have placed on our children. We can do that by stopping reckless spending and by creating a robust economy that will increase the government’s revenue by increasing the number of taxpayers by increasing the number of jobs. Stopping reckless spending has the added benefit of reducing inflation too!

5. Is America doing enough to support Ukraine? What would you like to see done differently?

We should be supporting the effort that will cause Russia to lose, but we are starting to involve ourselves so much that we are close to entering a war between us and Russia. I am not in favor of that. I would have voted against the $40B package as it was presented, because of the lack of accountability. A number of people that I admire voted for the bill, and I would have too when I was assured of use of that money was simply to help Ukraine fight Russia.

6. How should Congress address the inflation and supply chain shortages that have been affecting the nation and world over the past several months?

Regarding inflation: The definition of inflation is too much money chasing too few goods. This is a result of the government’s reckless spending.

There are two ways to defeat inflation: reduce the amount of money available which will cause great pain as we saw when Volcker and Reagan wrung Carter’s inflation out of the economy, and increasing the supply of goods which Reagan did as well by creating a strong economy. Making more goods requires more workers, and more workers not only make more goods but also increase the amount of revenue to the government. So just as Reagan did both, so should we.

Supply chain shortages: the government should get out of the way. The restriction on American energy production, in addition to destroying American jobs and increased the price of goods such as fertilizer, has also increased the price of fuel so some truckers can’t afford to keep driving. Other restrictions such as vaccine mandates and other COVID restrictions, the support of union restrictions at the ports, and the consequence of people being put out of work during the epidemic and who are not coming back because of the government’s money allowing them to retire earlier are a couple more examples of government actions disrupting our supply chain.

We should also recognize that we are connected to a worldwide economy, and the world is still waking up from COVID restrictions in other places, so we need to reduce our expectations.

But that is difficult, because the government’s reckless spending not only created inflation, it increased demand for goods that outpaced the supply. So shortages will have to be cured by increasing the supply of goods.

7. According to CDC data, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are again on the rise, with Suffolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach having moved from “low” to “medium” transmission as of May 24. In light of this trend, what if any precautions should government take?

Informing the public. The CDC’s mission, from its website, is: “CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish our mission, CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.”

That’s exactly what they should do, provide information.

Congress as the representatives of the people, not agencies, in accordance with the Constitution, should be making the rules and laws. If this was the case, the proper balance between requiring masking and not, between requiring getting the shot or not, or stopping the production of baby formula or not would have been reached, because Congress is accountable to the people. And in these matters, the people would have demanded transparency from their representatives—which is how it should be.

8. What is your opinion of the House special committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol?

I am in favor of a bi-partisan investigation into what happened that day, and why. As a former prosecutor, I understand that a true investigation needs to have as many possible questions asked, and the freedom to go where the evidence leads. This is not the case here. The current special committee has no legitimacy since the Republicans were not able to pick their own members. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy named the Republicans who should be on the committee as he should have. Speaker Pelosi inappropriately rejected two of them, so McCarthy pulled them all.

Bi-partisan means both parties pick their members, not a Democrat Speaker selecting the members from the opposing party.

Without those properly named Republicans, and the questions they would ask, the current special committee has no credibility.

Jarome Bell

Age: 55

Place of birth: Cleveland, Ohio

Education: BS

Occupation: Retired Navy

Number of years living in District 2: 20

Faith affiliation: Baptist

Current or prior elected offices held: N/A

1. Can you briefly summarize why you decided to run for the Republican nomination in the 2nd District Congressional race?

I’m an America-First, Conservative Republican and having dedicated my life to a career in the Navy, retired as Chief Petty Officer after 27 years, I’m turning my attention to once again serve this great nation by working to continue to carry the Donald J Trump torch to Make America Great Again in the United States House of Representatives.

I’m running for Congress to defend our republic against the foreign and domestic enemies to our Constitution, to which I swore an oath as a member of our Armed Forces — an oath that does not expire.

2. Who is your political role model? Why?

Congressman Bob Good. His love of God and doing it the right way.

3. As the country awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to overturn Roe v. Wade, what federal legislation, if any, would you support to address abortion nationally?

I will always be an unapologetic voice for the voiceless and an advocate to end the extermination of our own people.

4. What should be Congress’s top priority right now?

Stopping the marxist and communist from stealing this great country.

Stopping the invasion of our country and the nation security threat to our sovereignty

Protecting our constitutional rights and protecting our children form the indoctrination of these marxist ideologies being pushed on them at schools

5. Is America doing enough to support Ukraine? What would you like to see done differently?

I do not agree with the policies toward Ukraine. We need to take care of America first. Americans are suffering and our country is being destroyed. Throwing billions of taxpayer dollars to the #3 corrupt nation in the world to try and prop up one dictator over another why enriching their oligarchs is bad policy.

6. How should Congress address the inflation and supply chain shortages that have been affecting the nation and world over the past several months?

We need to bring all manufacturing back to the USA and return back to President Trump’s trade and energy policies immediately.

7. According to CDC data, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are again on the rise, with Suffolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach having moved from “low” to “medium” transmission as of May 24. In light of this trend, what if any precautions should government take?

The government is the problem and their Biden’s reaction to covid has been a disaster and has assisted in the inflation crisis. The government needs to stay out of it and let nature take it’s course and never lock down the country again.

8. What is your opinion of the House special committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol?

A travesty and a witch hunt against law abiding Americans who wanted to express their God given and constitutional rights. Political prisoners are being held illegally and need to be released. This commission is a political ruse. Jan 6, 2021 WAS NOT AN INSURRECTION!

Jen Kiggans

Age: 51

Place of birth: Tampa, FL

Education: BA International Relations Boston University / BSN Old Dominion University Nursing / MSN Vanderbilt University Nursing

Occupation: Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

Number of years living in District 2: 20 years

Faith affiliation: Catholic

Current or prior elected offices held: Current State Senator (Virginia 7th State Senate District)

1. Can you briefly summarize why you decided to run for the Republican nomination in the 2nd District Congressional race?

As a State Senator, I have seen firsthand the dangers and insanity of a liberal one-party rule and how Democrat policies devastate our economy and hurt working families. As a Navy pilot, mother, and nurse practitioner, I believe I am uniquely qualified to tackle the serious issues facing our country and deliver conservative results that will make our country stronger and more secure. I am the only candidate who has what it takes to beat Elaine Luria and help Republicans regain control of the U.S. House Majority.

2. Who is your political role model? Why?

President Ronald Reagan — I have always admired his ability to unite people behind a common cause and serve as a leader who actually delivered on his promises to the American people. Right now, we are represented by a Congresswoman who has made empty promises on the campaign trail and completely abandoned her constituents once she got to Washington. It’s time we sent a leader to Congress who will bring our country together by focusing on the issues — not divisive politics.

3. As the country awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to overturn Roe v. Wade, what federal legislation, if any, would you support to address abortion nationally?

I am 100%, unapologetically pro-life and am incredibly proud of my record of protecting our most vulnerable, preventing taxpayer-funded abortions, and upholding the sanctity of life in the Virginia Senate. Today’s Democratic Party has made it clear they will do anything to guarantee a women’s “right” to an abortion — even up until the moment of birth. In Congress, I will vehemently fight back against these inhumane and radical policies because there is nothing more important than preserving human life.

4. What should be Congress’s top priority right now?

With inflation at the highest level in 40 years, gas prices over $7.00 in far too many places across the country, and a horrific supply-chain crisis, Congress’ top priority must be getting our economy back on track. Virginia families, workers, and job creators have been hit hardest by the big-government policies put forward by Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden — and they must be stopped. We must prioritize cutting wasteful spending and government handouts, restoring energy independence, and empowering small businesses to do what they do best: create jobs.

5. Is America doing enough to support Ukraine? What would you like to see done differently?

I fully support America’s efforts to stabilize Ukraine and bring a swift end to the Russian invasion. Unfortunately, the situation in Ukraine is a result of the feckless leadership of Joe Biden and his Administration’s ongoing refusal to lead on the world stage. We must ensure we elect leaders to Congress who will not simply stand by in silence while this Administration botches one foreign policy after another. The American people, our allies, and the world are less safe with Democrats in control because they have no interest in restoring America as a leader and strong deterrent on the world stage.

6. How should Congress address the inflation and supply chain shortages that have been affecting the nation and world over the past several months?

First and foremost, we must stop the out-of-control, trillion dollar spending bills and the Democrats’ socialist agenda that will only lead to more taxes and less savings for Virginians. By cutting spending and prioritizing workforce development, we can address labor shortages, increase production and supply that will have a significant impact on inflation levels moving forward. But above all else, the most important way to address inflation is by passing fiscally conservative policies that put more money in the pockets of Virginians and the American people and less money in the pockets of big-government.

7. According to CDC data, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are again on the rise, with Suffolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach having moved from “low” to “medium” transmission as of May 24. In light of this trend, what if any precautions should government take?

As a healthcare provider, I hope every American will do what they can to minimize the risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19 — whether that is wearing a mask, getting vaccinated, or isolating if they feel symptomatic. But I’ll leave it to the American people — not the government — to decide for themselves. For the last two years we have watched our students fall behind in school, businesses close their doors, and workers lose their jobs because of big-government mandates based on politics, not science. No more mask mandates, no more vaccine mandates. It’s time for the government to get out of the way so our country can get back to normal.

8. What is your opinion of the House special committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol?

The violence and riots that took place at our nation’s Capitol on January 6th, 2021, were a stain on our democracy. I condemned the events wholeheartedly and supported the investigations made by both federal and local law enforcement to determine exactly what happened, what went wrong, and who should be held accountable. Rather than accept the investigations’ findings and shift their focus back to the critical issues facing the American people (i.e. a global pandemic and economic collapse), Democrats like our Congresswoman instead chose to re-investigate and re-litigate, wasting millions of taxpayer dollars as a result. Our economy is in shambles, our country is a laughing stock on the world stage, but Democrats will do whatever it takes to detract attention away from their failed policies — and this is just the latest example.