Name *
Colt Black
Age *
33
County of Residence *
Frederick County
Office Sought and District *
US House of Representatives District 8
Political Party *
Republican
Education *
Associates Degree
Career/Occupation *
Mortician/Funeral Director/ Small Business Owner
Political Experience *
First Time Candidate
Website *
Social Media Accounts *
https://facebook.com/ColtBlackforcongress
Why are you running for office? *
I am running for Congress because I think our current political class has failed us. They seem more interested in “fundamental change to our economy” instead of taking care of those of us who do the work and pay the taxes. Inflation is at its highest rate in 40 years. The crime rate is through the roof while at the same time, they continue to let career criminals avoid jail time. And they’re advocating policies that want to remove parents’ input in their children’s education. I intend to support those policies that actually deal with these problems, instead of adding to them.
Who do you consider your political role model, and why? *
From our various founding fathers and modern day statesmen there are many I could mention. However, I would have to say that George Washington would be my personal role model. George Washington among the founders was humble. A man of faith and unwavering principals. George Washington was willing to lay down his life for the cause of liberty and freedom, leading a ragtag group of colonist to victory against the greatest army in the world at that time. And following that victory when asked to be the first ruler of the new nation of America he wanted to ensure that the new found freedom of the people was not trampled by an oppressive ruler and refused many titles until it was arrived at that he would be called president of which he accepted with reservation. It is with the same zeal of George Washington and our other founders that I find inspiration, taking up the mantle of liberty for all our people. And will fight as he did with the same fire in my soul to ensure our republic and citizens thereof are free.
What is your favorite book about politics and policy, and why? *
There are several political philosophers of which I have read worth mentioning here such as John Locke, Montesquieu, and Alexis de Tocqueville are by far some of the brightest minds the world has known when it comes to politics and man's interaction and governance of man. However my absolute favorite book about politics and policy is written by Mark Levin, The Liberty Amendments. As it is modern in it's style of writing, and gives us the people, those seeking office, and those already elected a roadmap if you will to restoring order within our Republic via constitutional means. The Liberty Amendments is where the modern movement of the "Convention of States" stems from, which has lead to now 17 states and several more upcoming to call for an Article V Convention of States, which is an end run around the federal government to restore constitutional order in our country and placing the power back in the hands of the people. Additionally the thoughtful, well laid out issues of overreach of the federal government are laid bear for the reader. With easy to understand constitutional amendments for which to fix our broken system and restore the republic to its former glory. Mark Levin gives the reader clear and concise information all while leaving the reader a more informed constitutional scholar then before they started reading.
What will be your top priority if elected? *
Working to address our three biggest issues to include inflation, crime and governmental overreach will be top priority.
What are the three biggest issues facing your district? *
Again our district shares in the struggle with inflation, crime and governmental overreach. How these three items effect our district is what differs in comparison.
What are the three biggest issues facing our country? *
Inflation, crime, and governmental overreach are the three biggest issues facing our country. The last one governmental overreach really effects so many facets they are too numerous to list but in many cases can be related back to the first two.
What is your position on life issues? (abortion, assisted suicide) *
As a member of Congress, I will work to ensure the rights of our citizens facing terminal illness have the opportunity to end their life on their terms without needless suffering, while protecting them from government or others pushing them to make such a decision. On abortion, I will work to ensure that all Americans born and those yet to be able to enjoy the basic freedoms guaranteed to us among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In other words, I am strongly pro-life
What is your position on taxes, spending, and the federal deficit? *
American families make difficult decisions on what to buy and not to buy everyday. If each of our friends and fellow citizens must make these decisions, so should the federal government. We should not spend more than we take in, as citizens cannot do this. We must balance our budget. With respect to taxes I believe we must work to eliminate the federal income tax and death tax, and replace it with a fair or flat tax system. Either could work in my book.
What is your position on gun rights? *
The second amendment of the United States Constitution states " a well regulated militia being necessary to a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed". While for many this statement is murky, for me the rights of the people, the citizen to keep, carry, and use arms for any lawful purpose is absolute. Firearms (or any "weapon") for that matter is a tool, in the right hands they can be used to save and defend lives, put food on the table, and as a time honored pass time. In the wrong hands they can do great evil. No matter what you do or law you write we cannot legislate our way out of people with ill intents. I am a proud member of the Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO) and the National Rifle Association (NRA). As a member of Congress I will work to ensure the right to keep and bear arms will not be infringed on my watch.
What is your position on the legalization of marijuana? *
America has been fighting the "war on drugs" since Richard Nixon in 1971. And what has it gotten us? Dead citizens, dead cops, untold debt, mass incarceration, and more to the negative. Nothing positive has came of this "war". Yet we continue to try to arrest and ban our way out of a problem and that's what we've been doing since the beginning. So is not one of the definitions of insanity doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results? It's high time, (please enjoy the pun) to legalize marijuana, expunge the criminal records of all whom were convicted retroactively, drop the bottom out of the black market (reducing criminal activity and cutting funds to cartels), create business opportunities, and revel in the new tax base legalization would create.
What is your position on trade? *
Trade is a difficult topic, as a business owner I see first hand the effects of unbalanced trade practices affecting American businesses. It is hard as an American business to make a product and sell it at similar pricing to foreign made items when the foreign made products are not made under the same regulatory practices that occur in the United States. I prefer a truly free trade system but only if both countries involved are on a level playing field. Countries like China eat our lunch on trade but do so at the cost of the freedom of citizens lives, polluting air and water, and lack of regulatory safe guards for workers. As a member of Congress I would seek to enact legislation to hold our trade partners accountable, and those that would not want to play ball would pay more to sell their goods in America.
What is your position on foreign policy and military issues? *
America for far too long has inserted itself into issues across the world of which we have no business in being engaged in. So many conflicts and wars could have been avoided had we not been acting as the world's police force. While needless human suffering is certainly a unfortunate situation, why should America expend it's financial resources and shed American blood if we are not being attacked or threatened with attack? We have our own issues at home of which needs dealt with let alone being involved in other peoples problems. I am a fan of fortifying America to defend the homeland, acting when appropriately to defend true allies, securing American interest abroad, and protecting American citizens no matter where in the world they are.
Would you support the passage of the Human Life Amendment? *
Yes
Would you support the passage of the Balanced Budget Amendment? *
Yes
Do you support D.C. Statehood? *
No
Do you support retrocession of the District of Columbia into Maryland? *
Yes
Was Joe Biden legitimately elected President of the United States in the November 2020 Election? *
Yes
Do you pledge to accept the results of your election? *
Yes