Andrew Goffe

Andrew Goffe was born in New York, New York. He graduated from Springfield Gardens High School. He earned an associate degree from Orange Coast Community College in 2020. His career experience includes working as an entrepreneur. He has been affiliated with the Democratic Party of Orange County.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an educator, a composer and an entrepreneur and a long time resident of Orange County California. I raised my children in Irvine, CA and started the family business in Costa Mesa. I have a degree in Political Science from Orange Coast Community College and Briefly attended Trinity Law School, successfully completing my first year before entering the race for California's 47th District Congressional seat.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We are stronger togetherA community united cannot be dividedAnswer the call to service with honor, integrity and dignity, but most of all, answqer the call.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The gun issue in America is the biggest unresolved issue we face today. Every time there is a school shooting or another mass shooting, it shocks the public consciousness and we demand more be done about the issue. Next comes the regular political promises and the subsequent inaction. It is time we change tactics and put forward bold new ways to address this issue to the benefit of all involved. I really feel that there is a way to reduce gun violence in our schools as we know it without disenfranchising the rights of law-abiding gun owners who have followed the very laws we passed to protect us. I have such a plan and have detailed it on my website andrewgoffeforcongress.com. It is a vision of a future that could be if we are bold enough to take the steps necessary to make sure it does.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Martin Luther King Jr for his decision to get involved at the risk of great personal sacrifice.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. In particular the story entitled "3 feet from the gold" which characterizes a gold prospector who bough a gold mine and dug and dug but couldn't find any gold, but eventually gave up and sold the mine. The next owner found someone to dig who knew what he was doing and after digging just 3 more feet, discovered a vast collection of gold in the mine. The point being that, when you think of giving up, know that your goal might be just 3 feet in front of you if you just persevere.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honoring your word is the most important principal an elected official can have. We are elected because of our promises. Those who voted for us, expect us to stand by what we promised and keep our words to at least attempt to accomplish what we said we would during the campaign. Failure to honor one's word breeds distrust in the system and once trust in government has eroded, we have lost the support of the public. A good faith effort must be at least made in the attempt to accomplish what we promised we would.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have a unique perspective on life in Orange County having lived here for 24 years. I raised 4 children here, 2 of which were born in O.C. We have experienced the best of Orange County and have also seen it from the other side of prosperity. We lost our business and our home and had to struggle to survive. We got to understand struggle in an intimate way and were fortunate to have made it through back to a sense of normalcy. We found OC's charitable side when charities came to the rescue when the government programs for which we paid into for so many years, failed us. We got to see how those who fell on hard times would face an even greater struggle seeking help to rebound. I saw and experienced this first hand. My perspective can add to the conversation on homelessness to dispel the false rhetoric that Southern California's homeless are lazy drug-addicted or mentally ill people who simply have just given up, Instead, their ranks are filled with good people who struggle and are let down by the system that was designed to care for them in the hard times, but does not.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Simply put, to do the will of the people they represent. This means that they are the voice of their constituents and have the sole duty of carrying their message to the body of congress and vote accordingly.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I made a difference.I inspired others to action.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was 7 years old when Richard Nixon resigned from the Presidency

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Summer Camp Counselor at Victory Lake NY for 2 months

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy. I love the way Clancy writes, his attention to detail is second to none and there is never a part you don't believe could have actually happened. Completely immersive reading.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Guerlieder by Arnold Schoenberg

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I struggle to understand why we are constantly at odds with each other simply because of a political label.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. House of Representatives was uniquely structured in a bicameral way which simultaneously represents the land within our borders by the voices in the Senate representing two from each of the fifty states and a proportionate number of representatives of the people within each state. It was designed to give the people a voice in their governance, As designed, it can be a highly effective way for the people's interests to be heard and acted upon. Unfortunately, the initial design did not take into account the amount of abuse that system would face from big and dark money players who have hijacked the system for their own gain. Congress needs to rid itself of this undue influence and get back to the work of the people.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

There is no wrong answer to this question. George Washington had no political experience before assuming the highest office in the land. While experience brings certain things god and bad to the job, Congress was designed to field representatives that were true voices for the people that sent them there to have their voices heard. This only requires the experience of living the life of the voters in their district and the ability to convey their message to the body in the House effectively. Congress was designed so that anyone could serve, not just the elite.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Bridging the political divide will be our biggest challenge to come. There are those whose fortunes and grasp on power depends on keeping us at each other's throats because they fear the power we yield through unity..These power players spread disinformation and propaganda to keep us busy with reasons why we should never agree or unify on a single topic, while they execute their agenda in the process. For America to truly move forward, we must recognize this and refuse to be puppets to this method of governance. We must recognize the power we have when we unify as a nation around a cause, and ideal and a purpose.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I think two years is too short for representatives because of the massive amount of campaigning and fund raising required. This means that once the candidate is sworn in, by the end of their first year, the majority of their remaining time will now be occupied by campaigning and fund raising, not the work of the people. I believe Congressional term limits should be a 6 year term like the Senate and limited to two consecutive terms and not eligible for reelection until one full term has elapsed subsequent to their leaving office.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I am in favor of some version of term limits that allow a candidate to run for the same office after sitting out a term from that office, after maxing out the first eligibility period.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

John Lewis and John McCain

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I heard a woman at a political event recall how she lost a loved one to COVID 19 and how it affected her and her family. She shared her pain as she asked people to wear their masks even though it may be an inconvenience, if it could save someone's life, even one person's life, then it was worth the temporary inconvenience.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Three women died and went to heaven and were met by St Peter at the gate. He said , "We have only one rule here, don't step on the ducks". When he opened the pearly gates, it was clear to see why he said that, there were ducks everywhere. The first lady, try as she might, accidentally stepped on a duck. St Peter arrived with an ugly man by his side and now bound him to her wrist and said "you must now spend eternity with him as a punishment". The second woman tried as much as she could, but accidentally stepped on a duck too. St Peter arrived with an even uglier man and bound him to her wrist also. The third woman, not wanting to share the same, fate watched every step and barely moved to avoid stepping on a duck. St Peter arrived with the most hansom man she had ever seen and bound him to her wrist. The woman asked the man, "Wow, what did I do to deserve you?" The man replied, "I don't know about you, but all I did was accidentally step on a duck!"

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is everything. No society survives without it.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

It would remind me how important my role in the House was. The country runs on the revenue Congress approves each year. These are not donor needs being met, but rather the lives of the very people of the states. We must be good stewards of their money and take the job the Constitution gives us seriously.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

To hold accountable those who flirt the law at the expense of others. Congress should fight the urge to use its investigative powers as a political tool as has been the case recently and only take on the investigative role when it fall within their purview. Abusing this power can carry serious consequences and Congress should resist the urge to investigate just for the sullying of a political opponent or for political gain.