Christopher Maynard

Christopher Maynard's career experience includes working as a small business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Raised and anchored in the Pacific Northwest, I am a husband, father of 2, local small business owner, and youth sports coach in Woodland, Washington. I am hoping that through this campaign and election I will be able to help all of my neighbors throughout SW Washington in ways both big and small. I found my inspiration to run for office through my own frustration of feeling as though those in Congress no longer have their constituents best interests in mind. I'm running for this position to hopefully be a part of the movement that changes that once and for all. Bringing real world experiences as well as keeping an open ear and priorities in check throughout my term, I will strive to start the conversations that no one else is willing to have.

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?

I whole heartedly believe that 90% of Americas current problems can be resolved by simply rebuilding the American middle class to what it once was. Skyrocketing costs of living combined with ongoing wage stagnation and corporate socialism and greed have essentially wiped the middle class from existence. I want to change that.It is my opinion that political division throughout America currently poses one of the, if not the, biggest threat to this country right now. It is time to pull the dagger that is driving this country apart out. Having someone else to blame the worlds problems on may be the easiest option, but it is far from the right/permanent solution. The only direction our fingers should be pointed is at those who currently have the power to inact chagne and refuse to do so.The last few years have been anything but "normal" thanks to the COVID pandemic. However, how much longer will we continue to sit on the merry-go-round that lacks continuity. As unfortunate as it may be, we missed our opportunity to rid the world of COVID a long time ago. It's time to stop side stepping the issue at this point and find a way to start moving forward towards a new normal.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Dealing with the ever worsening topic of wealth inequality in this country will always be close to my heart and atop my agenda. It may be hard to picture a world where a family in America can survive with just one member of the house bringing in an income, and where a new house only costs 3-4 times that of the average American salary. But believe it or not, that America existed just 40-50 years ago. However, thanks to corporate greed and corporate socialism, the wealth in this country has done nothing but work its way to the top and fails to ever be reinvested into the middle class. Those in Washington D.C. continue to act as though they want to see change when in fact they stand to benefit from the lack of change being made in this country. The fact that the top 1% of Americans hold onto over 32% of the countries wealth while the bottom 50% hold onto nothing more than a measly 2% is not okay and should not be considered normal.

The American Dream is no longer a path one can take, instead it is a treadmill that ticks up in speed and incline with each passing year. I'm running for Congress to turn the treadmill off and clear the path of it's obstacles once again so that the American Dream can exist once again.

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

On a personal level, I will never tell anyone that I look up to anyone more than my parents. The childhood they were able to provide to my brother and I after adopting us at such a young age as well as the never ending levels of support they continue to provide to me and their grandchildren will always be a bar I hope to hit someday with my own children. On a professional and political level, the conversations that Bernie Sanders has started over the last decade will never not be considered monumental to me. His political rally in Portland, Oregon was the first time I ever attended any sort of political event, and it was one I'll never forget. Even if someone doesn't agree with every political stance he holds, it's nearly impossible to convince anyone that he is one of the few people in Congress that genuinely believes that what he is doing is in the best interest of his constituents. A feeling that I hope those in SW Washington will also feel towards me.

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

Someone elected to represent constituents of any district in America should do exactly that. Honesty, openness, integrity, humility, and sympathy should be all that defines an elected official. In my opinion, if a representative fails in any regards to any of those traits they should not be representing anyone.

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

Throughout my entire life I have been told by others that I carry with me an ability to be sympathetic and understand and relate to nearly everyone. And if I'm being honest I think this trait is one of the most important when it comes to the role I am trying to fill by representing SW Washington. I do not take any shame in holding one viewpoint and then changing my views after hearing someone else explain their views in a different light. At the end of the day all that matters to me is that those I represent feel as though I truly want their lives as well as their families lives to be the best they can be.

What legacy would you like to leave?

If nothing else, I would hope that my children, throughout their lives can look up to their father and see that all I wanted is what is best for them. I only hope that I can also earn that feeling/trust from those I call my neighbors as well.

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

September 11, 2001 undoubtedly will always occupy a small part of my memory for the rest of my life. I was just 8 years old at the time, my father was a principal and I vividly remember us all getting ready for school with cartoons on in the background and the sudden change on the TV to the news describing what was happening. I was confused as to what the significance was but could see it in my parents eyes that this was something major. They told me and my brother that we would not be going to school that day and although that came across as a win at the time, throughout my life, learning the importance of the events that occurred that day have ensured that it will be a day I never forget.

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

Funnily enough, I was just humming this song while filling out this survey;

Voices - Chris Young

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

I believe that previous experience in politics can be beneficial in a sense to those seeking another political office or position. However, I believe it to be more important that those seeking office have a deeper understanding of what it really feels like to live as an average American citizen. How can someone who has lived their entire life being a part of the upper middle class or 1% consider themselves the best person to represent the other 99% of us? The issues that are most talked about amongst co-workers are the same issues that are talked least about in Washington D.C. Unsurprisingly, because most of those in D.C. have never faced those issues themselves.

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

The dissolve of the American Middle Class combined with corporate socialism will undoubtedly be the biggest issue this country will face in the coming years. Capitalism works, but only when those governing it do not stand to benefit from aiding in its collapse. Americas wealth continues to be funneled to the top and the middle class taxed to front the bills that those at the top should be paying themselves. Cost of living continues to climb exponentially while wages remain stagnant. A rise/rebellion from the working class is inevitable if things do not change quickly.

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

I do believe that 2 year terms do create a difficult position for representatives, as it puts one into a seemingly never ending campaign trail. However, I also believe that if you are unable to show your constituents in 2 years that you are raising your voice in D.C. on the topics they feel important, then perhaps you deserve to be voted out sooner than later.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

There is a reason George Washington stepped down from the presidency when he did, mindful of the precedent his conduct set for future presidents, Washington feared that if he were to die while in office, Americans would view the presidency as a lifetime appointment. And he knew that was not in the best interest of America. Someone with the ability to hold power in a specific position with no time limit can easily equate a recipe for disaster and a quick path to corruption. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that the only people that can change those rules are those who stand to only lose something by doing so. I can honestly say that as a representative, I would be happy to bring forth the legislation needed at least start the conversation regarding imposing term limits within the houses of Congress.

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

I'll reiterate a previous answer here, and state that Bernie Sanders, regardless of which party you find yourself on, should be considered a role model representative to all. Even if you do not agree with every stance he may take on policy, most can and do agree that what he believes in, he genuinely believes is what is best for America and that is what fuels his fire and passion as a Senator.

Tell us your favorite joke.

What did the nut say to the other nut it was chasing?

"Imma cashew!"

I'm a dad and this may very well be the first ever dad joke I ever told so it will always be a favorite of mine.

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

I feel that if you were to ask this question to the general public 50 years ago, 20 years ago, and today, you would get much different answers. Reaching across the isle used to be common practice in Congress. However, thanks to forced political divide and anger that is brewed via the news sources and echo chambers we subject ourselves to online, it has become the equivalent to rooting for your favorite sports team on TV during a game. The truth of the matter is, not every American is living the same life. Each family across America has different things they struggle with, as well as different needs. Compromise should be desirable in the sense that those who are negotiating the compromise have a genuine understanding of this premise. It should NOT be viewed as one side, "sacrificing" something. But instead should be viewed as one side listening and understanding that the person they are compromising with is representing people that may not have the same needs or desires as their own constituents.

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