Gary Adkins

Gary Adkins was born in Clintwood, Virginia. Adkins' professional experience includes working as an entrepreneur. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 to 1989. Adkins earned a bachelor's degree from Troy State University in 1982.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Christian, native Virginian, Constitutional Conservative, and a staunch pro-American. I am an independent thinker, a solutions seeker, and a non-politician ready to 'roll up my sleeves' and work hard serving the people of Virginia's 7th Congressional District. I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience throughout my military career and my subsequent private sector career working in technical, management and senior executive leadership positions in Aerospace; Defense; Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance; Geospatial Intelligence & Information Systems Technology; and High-Tech Software sectors. I am pro-life, pro-business, and I fervently believe in equal justice for all. As a longtime resident of Virginia's newly-minted 7th Congressional District, I understand the national, state, and local issues impacting the region and the lives of its citizens. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Resource Management and Business from Troy University. I believe elected representatives should be servant leaders accountable to the people and I am ready, willing and able to be held accountable for my decisions and actions. I am one who puts in the hard work to get results.

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?

Across the nation and the Commonwealth, there is an intense dissatisfaction with a malevolent ‘progressive’ agenda that threatens to destroy our American culture and our way of life. Radical anti-American policies of high taxes, open borders, indoctrination of our children, and a socialist welfare state do NOT reflect the values of most Virginians. I am running to safeguard our liberty and freedom and to preserve our Constitutional Republic.I am a strong advocate for limited Federal Government. Government works best when it is closest to the people. When elected representatives are more accessible by the people, government is more responsive to the people. I believe we need to return control and decision-making to the people at State and Local levels to the maximum extent practical. The U.S. Constitution defines Federal government powers and we need to return our focus on those enumerated powers.Our Constitutional Republic is under assault at every level. In 1788, Patrick Henry is quoted as saying, "Suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds. … Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined." We must be vigilant and take notice of the infiltraton and subversion by those who would destroy our American culture, our foundational principles and our very way of life. I am focused on defending the Constitution, preserving th Republic, and safeguarding our liberty and freedom.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Constitutional governance; National Security/Defense; Border Security; Immigration; Education, Energy, Fiscal Policy to include debt/deficit; Taxes; Healthcare; Transportation; Crime; Rule of Law; Equal Justice; Liberty and Freedom. I am a strong States' rights advocate, support individual property rights.

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

Government works best when it is closest to the people. When elected representatives are more accessible by the people, government is more responsive to the people. I believe we need to return control and decision-making to the people at State and Local levels to the maximum extent practical.

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

Faith in God, Honesty, Integrity, Patriotism, Loyalty, Strong work ethic, Detail-oriented, Critical thinker, solutions seeker

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

Protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

Defense of the nation.

Legislating within the constraints of the Constitution.

Respecting the Rights of the States

What legacy would you like to leave?

To have it said that I left it better than I found it.

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

Farm hand at age 12. 2 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Holy Bible. It lays out a plan for how to live, love, treat others, and enjoy the best life in this world and in the hereafter. Yes, I believe in Heaven and Hell.

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

Not necessarily. Far too many have no experience in anything but government and politics. In my view, I prefer to have representatives who live in the real world and not in the a political bubble. Moreover, elected representative should be subject to the same legislation as any other citizen.

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

Overcoming the myriad trends that are weakening us from within. Reversing the trend toward Socialism/Marxism/Communism. Gaining control of massive spending pushing us further and further into an unrecoverable debt burden.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I am particularly interested in the following committees:

>Appropriations

>Armed Services

>Energy and Commerce

>Foreign Affairs

>Oversight and Reform

>Science, Space, and Technology

>Transportation and Infrastructure

>Veterans’ Affairs

>Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

I am not a current representative.

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

No, I believe the term should be extended to 4 years, and limited to 3 terms with a maximum of 12 years.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I am in favor of term limits.

U.S. House - Max 12 years.

U.S. Senate - Max 12 years

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

Yes, it is necessary to compromise on specific details; but you cannot compromise on principles.

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?

Currently, the requirement is not being strictly enforced. As a representative, I would insist that there be no bills for raising revenue that were not first originated in the House. The practice of allowing a workaround whereby often the Senate is actually the originator but it is made to appear as it was originated in the House should be absolutely disallowed. The House of Representatives simply must focus on doing the work as it is Constitutionally mandated. No excuses.

Gary Adkins did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0"); });