Elijah Lewis Blue

Elijah Lewis Blue was born in Stockton, California. Blue's professional experience includes working in fast food, retail, oil and gas, and food service. He began serving in the U.S. Coast Guard in 2017.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Elijah Blue. I was born in Stockton, California in 1996 and raised for a good while in Houston, Texas before joining the United States Coast Guard in 2017. I served for my first tour on the U.S. Island Territory of Guam and began my second duty station in 2021 in Alameda. I am currently an Operations Specialist Second Class. I was homeschooled for most of my education. I graduated as a homeschooled student. I attended a community college for two years but decided to join the military instead. I have a love for music. All genres. I have a deep love for the American people and seeking true justice and reformation where it needs to be. There's often a right answer, a wrong answer, and a grey area. That's just facts. That's not to say that we can't make sense of the grey as a unified community. I understand the meaning of hard work and I understand what it means to lead from the front.

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?

Everyone has a voice, let's listen and collaborate.There's a positive way and a negative way to go about things. Whether it's immigration, prohibition, or reformation of an institution, anger doesn't solve the problem. We can be emotional, but being hateful makes everyone equally hateful and divided. Like The Beatles said, "Come Together." Whether conservative, liberal, or somewhere in between, we are all American citizens. Let's stop trying to break a vase to make a castle.Rome wasn't built in a day. There's gonna be ebbs and flows in the political system. But those ebbs don't have to hurt the masses so much. Division breeds dissension, which creates malfunction. Let's the make the bad easier and the easy streamlined.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about our economic status and our reliability on external sources. America has so many resources that we can pull from and equate to the import of so many of our debt sources. I'm not saying every thing has to be American made and America founded, but we can help our people by using them in a positive way. There's innovation around every corner. I'm also passionate about the prohibition we have going on! It's time to free the leaf. It will only bring positive things to the sectors of: medicine, mental health, the justice system, and our economy. Antique slogans have been debunked numerously.

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

This may start out corny, but my mother is one of my greatest role models. From having a harsh home life as a child, to marrying a black man when it wasn't widely accepted yet, to raising three boys, and starting a successful business; she has given me the greatest picture of what faith, determination, and perseverance looks like. In his short time span, John F. Kennedy is also a great role model of mine. Taking all sides into account and creating the best outcome is never easy, but he was never afraid to do the right thing and say the hard truth. I don't agree with everything in his life. No one is perfect, but as a leader, he had wonderful potential.

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

The children's movie, Over The Hedge. You had two power houses, RJ and Verne. Both had a similar goal, with different motives unfortunately, but they butted heads throughout the entire film. Often to the exhaustion and belittlement of the majority of the people they were trying to help. Ego shouldn't blind the fact that other people need you to help them be sustainable.

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

Honesty, open ears, and being willing to complete the job ASKED of them. Not the job they create for themselves. Our political system was created to give everyone an equal chance to raise concerns and express ideas. Not for 636, House, senate, and president, to rule in their own favors. Again, we have 331.9 million souls on board, let's not crash the helo.

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

Empathy, objectivity, discernment, and the knowledge that I don't know everything, but I know where to go to learn about it. I have no problem working with other people. I love collaboration. Just because I haven't gone through a situation or a life experience doesn't invalidate it. I am one of the people and I want them to know that they are one of those people on those floors too. I am also very rational.

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

To work outside of your own brain. Do you remember when you had a group project in school and everyone had to collaborate? This is literally that. We are to bring the stories, concerns, policies, and ideas that our districts ask us to present and create a final result with our project members. It's not an individual sport, this hockey. Constantly passing the puck to our teammates to score a goal. Enforcing the important issues impressed upon like the goons. Instead, we've traded A+'s or d's because the project didn't interest our own ideas or pockets enough.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of actively trying to do the right thing. Trying to make the changes that don't destroy a great country for the next 3 generations.

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

I was 5 when 9/11 happened. I don't remember the exact event, but I remember that my youngest brother was born three days prior. I know that event impacted my family in numerous ways. My uncle joined the Army and that became a huge rallying point for the family for years.

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

I worked at Chick-fil-A in Spring, Texas. I was 15 (2012) and I worked there till spring break of my senior year in 2014

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Art of War by Sun Zu. War doesn't have to be guns, knives, and ICBM's. We all have a battle face at some point. The Art of War provides wonderful proverbs and strategies on how to face adversity and struggle to win whatever war we have in life.

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

Percy Jackson. The world the Rick Riordan built in his Percy Jackson series is phenomenal. To mix Greek Mythos with the reality of young American man is genius and a beautiful story.

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

The Dress by Dijon. If you haven't listened to his album "Absolutely" I highly suggest you listen. Headphones from song 1 in succession is the best way.

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

I've struggled with not having a poverty mentality. I know that there's somethings that are out of my control, but not everything is the government's or the majority demographic's fault. Most of the time, my decisions are the reason I'm in a tough spot or a new challenge.

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

It allows for another once-over of legislature. It gets extra eyes on the policies that affect the 331.9 million people that live in the United States. We have 435 people elected to represent all of the people. That's not even one percent. The house has tremendous power to do great things.

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

Not necessarily. I'm not saying that just because I don't have any myself lol. But I believe what makes America so special is that you can be anything! From a janitor to a CEO and you're still American. All walks of life, if they feel they have the life experience and the call to represent their fellow citizens, should have the opportunity to do just that. Different perspectives bring fresh ideas and innovation. There should never be such thing as a career politician. Public office should be led by the public.

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

Over the next decade, America faces a social and economic upheaval. After the social justice awakening that began in the 1960's, American politics has done very little to pay attention to what true unity means. Now, I understand that not every decision makes everyone happy, but you don't have to give crumbs to the masses and say enjoy your cookie. It's time to take account for what true, advanced, intellectual reformation of what our money looks like and how the people feel about what we're doing with it and how we can assist them. Not in direct handouts but in what we/re doing with it to show them that we actually care about the future of the country and future generations. If we can't a couple 10-15 year plans set now, financially and socially, America will crumble like creme brûlée.

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

I'm fine with between two and four. If you can't get anything done or make progress in your own life in that time frame, there's something wrong with you.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

3 terms in one position. MAX. If you served in the senate, 3 years max. You can run for president, mayor, attorney general, house seat, but if you obtain another role, you still only get three years. and if you're over the age to receive medicare, it's time to give someone else a turn and enjoy your retirement.

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

Negative. Our house has been problematic for the last 30 years, give or take.

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?

The stories never end. The way single mothers keep feeding their kids every day to how a restaurant owner got his start 45 years ago! Everyone has such a distinct story whether it sounds like a movie or a blog post. Everybody is memorable if you care enough.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Someone stole my mood ring yesterday! I still don't know how I fell about that

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

Absolutely. Especially since our unabashed, bipartisan system is hell-bent on making things difficult for each other rather than looking outside the senate and house floors. People suffer while they piss in their enemy's chair. Children don't even do that. It's time to shake hands, tie the knot, and heal together.

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?

My priorities lie on the general welfare of the American people. I am solely the mouthpiece for them. My opinions shouldn't matter. If they say to vote one way, that's what I'm supposed to do. Not what my own agenda or committee says to vote.

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

On it's self! Investigate if representatives and office holders are committing corruption, bribery, blackmail, or abuse and molestation! The same standard we expect our citizens to uphold, we should do the same.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

None.