George Papastrat

George Papastrat was born in Sidney, New York. Papastrat served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2005 to 2017.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in business administration from American Military University in 2012 and 2016, respectively. Papastrat's career experience includes owning Tideline Marine & Family. Papastrat has been affiliated with VFW, Rotary International, and NMEA.[1][2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is George J. Papastrat. I come form a family of immigrants, veterans, and public servants. I am a patriot, a disabled veteran, a family business owner, a father, a husband, a friend, and a neighbor. After I was medically retired from more than a decade of honorable, and decorated service I called upon my legislators for assistance. They did not listen to my calling. So, as a veteran, a citizen, a community member I asked around. I decided I could provide a better option than the typical career politician that does not deliver.

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?

Inflation impacts me as a small business owner, employer, father, and citizen. Not only do I worry and care about my cost of gas, but for my business, and most importantly how this impacts my employees. I fought in wars to unify and provide solutions through negotiations and dialog. That is what I bring to the table.I want to deliver results. We regardless of political affiliation must table our personal issues and fight united as a team. If we have learned anything from Ukraine, its unity and the power of the people will always prevail.I am levelheaded, wanting to be a public servant to fill a much-needed void in our current political system. I offer real world solutions to issues such as the opioid crisis, inflation, border security, immigration, and public private partnerships with the largest amphibious fighting force in the world, the US Marines.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Forged in the aftermath of the 2021 loss of 13 American servicemembers, after our old team evacuated our linguist from Afghanistan, George Papastrat decided to see what happens. Together we the people of the United States of America will stand tall. I am a father, patriot, disabled veteran, husband, small business owner, and community activist. I believe in my constitutional rights, small business, and community development. I want to bring discussion not argument to the table, just as our founding fathers.

We must support the small business and communities. We must stop inflation, we must protect our borders, maintain a capitalist economy, and have the rights forged in the Constitution of the United States. We do this in 5 Steps

Stopping the Opioid Crisis -with the use of medical cannabis

Reduce inflation- Focus on small, family owned business in communities NOT corporations

Ensure our borders are secure - from Drug & Human Trafficking

Support proper Immigration - To bring new bright minds from around the world

Supporting our local Marine Corps Bases - With a community relations and Public Private Partnership program better than anywhere else in the country

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

My grandfather. He grew up during the great depression. He then served in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns of WWII. He then owned a small business and raised my father. He was my mentor growing up, as a Marine, and as a parent. I miss him very much.

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

The Looming Tower. It changed my life.

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

Understanding Humanity.

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

Because no one is happy with the current situation.

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

To listen, table UN-needed discussions, and make educated decisions.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That anyone can do anything the want if they work hard and are dedicated. You just have to wait.

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

I watched the planes crash in NY 9/11/2001. I turned to my mother, I was a senior in High School. I said we are under terrorist attack and I am joining the Marines. She told me no, your going to college. Two years later I enlsited and the rest is history. My chest tells my story.

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

I started working as a paper boy while in grade school through middle school. I did that job through the summer and winters of upstate NY. I stayed working there until I was old enough to get another part time job at a local business in my hometown, Sidney NY.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Human Factor - it addresses both good and bad from our government, and how the human mind works.

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

Capt. America

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

The Star Spangled Banner

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

being disabled. Both mentally and physically it takes a toll.

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

the representative is from the population. As described in our constitution. It is the option for the common man to have influence at the federal level. So the voice can be heard, and our country can advance.

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

No. Each individual representative should bring new and creative ideas. bureaucracy and career politicians will drain our value system and do not represent the common citizen in congress

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

building back our image as America. We are a guiding light for the free world. We must set the example.

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

Homeland Security - to assist in border security and immigration

Small Business - I believe as a small business owner I bring to the table a unique perspective. and small business is the backbone of our country.

Veterans Affairs- I am a disabled Veteran

Intelligence - I am a former Counterintelligence Agent who brings real world relevant experience/understanding of the rules/authorities of intelligence.

Modernization of congress.

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

n/a

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

yes. in two years you should be able to show the citizens you are in it for the right reasons and represent the people.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I believe in term limits. The fresh ideas of creative minds is what created America.

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

No, but senator John Glenn is the example I want to be.

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?

There is not one specific person that stands out. Collectively every person I interact with every day as a small business owner is a citizen who has a unique story. From disabled veterans to local hometown men and women. Each are humans and individually unique and amazing.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I am not good at jokes

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

Yes, but we must table personal ideas for the betterment of society.

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?

The government is a non profit organization. We must pay off our debt, and move forward. Give back whats left to the people.

Campaign website

Papastrat's campaign website stated the following:

The Plan

We must support the small business and communities. We must stop inflation, we must protect our borders, maintain a capitalist economy, and have the rights forged in the Constitution of the United States.

Stopping the Opioid Crisis -with the use of medical cannabis. Increasing our free market, allowing another revenue for the agricultural industry, and a tool for medical doctors and their patients

Reduce inflation- Focus on small, family owned business in communities NOT corporations. Equally taxing all Americans, with the goal of having a flat tax rate as a option to continue to drive capitalism

Ensure our borders are secure - from Drug & Human Trafficking. We must ensure safety and integrity of the United States and Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Support proper Immigration - To bring new bright minds from around the world. Creating a portal for small business to recruit and sponsor work visas across the globe in an effort to promote proper immigration

Supporting our local Marine Corps Bases - With a community relations and Public Private Partnership program better than anywhere else in the country. Every enlisted Marine East of the Mississippi comes to our area for Marine Combat Training/School of Infantry. Additionally, recognizing and supporting our other branches of service who work honorably in our district, the Coast Guard, which provides lifesaving actions along our beautiful coast, the Army, Navy, and Airforce, as well as all of the civilian employees of our Department of Defense in #NC03[3]

—George Papastrat's campaign website (2022)[4]