John Klar

John Klar was born in Manchester, Connecticut. He earned a bachelor's degree in June 1986 after studying at the University of Connecticut, Rutgers University, the University of Essex, Manchester Community College, and Central Connecticut University, and he earned a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law in June 1989. His professional experience includes working as a tax attorney and farmer.[1]

Klar has been affiliated with Agape Inc. 4 Ukraine.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

John Klar is a farmer, writer and attorney focused on fiscal integrity, parental choice, and regenerative agriculture.

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?

Fiscal IntegritySchool choice and parental rightsRegenerative agriculture and local farming

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Agriculture, particularly regenerative, local methods that improve the economy, rural communities, food quality and freshness, while reducing the use of fossil fuels. This improves soils and water conservation as well as local food security. Vermont can grow more food!

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

Martin Luther King, Jr. because he sacrificed himself for a great cause, and sought love over hate.

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

Ryszard Legutko, The Demon in Democracy.

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

integrity, competence, common sense

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

Intelligence, integrity, compassion.

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

Adhere to the Constitution; listen to constituents; get informed on the issues.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Increase critical thinking and decrease government waste: support local farms and food production.

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

The oil crisis.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. It inspires, strengthens, and guides me.

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

My health.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Balance and respect

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

fiscal health and reducing government bloat

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Of course it is -. on both sides of the aisle. Te essence of Democracy is consensus.

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

Agriculture

Both sitting legislators 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?

Residents seeking to support Ukrainian refugees have been stopped by new federal regulations. The importance to me of the story is how many wonderful Vermonters are genuinely trying to make a difference in a huge conflict thousands of miles away. Vermonters are a remarkable collection of people, and always have been.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Yes.

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

Yes.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

John Klar has worked as a tax attorney, criminal defense attorney, and litigator in Connecticut, where he has been a member of the Bar for 30 years. He moved to Vermont in 1998 and bought a farm in Barton, where he and his wife constructed an artisanal raw-milk goat and cow cheese house, and raised sheep, horses, cows, goats and pigs. John has written a weekly column for The Newport Daily Express since March of 2016, and writes regularly for American Thinker, True North Reports, Liberty Nation, and other on-line sites. The goals of John's administration are displayed clearly at the web site agripublicans.com, a Republican policy list that proposes to focus on the economy, local schools, and the opioid crisis. John became a Vermont certified Recovery Coach in 2017 to help address this nationwide crisis. He has been married to his wife Jackie for 21 years.

An avid hiker, John now lives in Brookfield and raises sheep for organic meat, near his family's original farm which was purchased circa 1815.

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?

The economy. Restore frugality, and bolster the underfunded Vermont pension system.Preserve local schools. Communities depend on local schools, which also attract newcomers to reside in Vermont.Enhance compassionate responses to the opioid crisis. This is a mental health, economic, and cultural crisis that affects every Vermonter.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Fair taxation, nurturing Vermont's schools while making them more affordable, funding teachers' pensions, improved opioid response, support for small farms, prevent new gun laws, recognize fetal personhood in criminal cases.

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

Jesus Christ, because he sacrificed for others, and I become a better person the more I endeavor to emulate His life and live by His teachings.

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

"Profiles in Courage," John F Kennedy. My own essays at American Thinker, collected also at Johnklar.net

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

Adhere to the Constitution; integrity; honesty.

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

Integrity, frugality, work ethic, good communicator, professional and educational training (especially in tax).

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

Lead strongly as servant; encourage and nurture the citizenry.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Reduce taxes and regulations, preserve local schools and communities, improve response to opioid and mental health crises.

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

The Oil Crisis. 10.

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

I worked many jobs before I was 16, particularly in landscaping, painting and construction. At 16, I worked the summer in a factory in the aerospace industry. At 17 I worked the summer in Ogunquit Maine as a dishwasher and waiter. At 18 I worked the summer in Yellowstone National Park as a cook in the Old Faithful Inn, and the fall as a pizza cook in West Yellowstone, Montana.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. It challenges me in ways no other book ever has.

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

Frodo.

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

Revolution, The Beatles.

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

Fibromyalgia syndrome. Deaths of loved ones. Farming.

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean do you?

A responsibility to lead by serving, to encourage the citizenry, and to fashion solutions to Vermont's problems.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

Heal political divisions by leading toward solutions that benefit all Vermonters.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

They work amicably to achieve consensus, and be responsive to all voters.

What do you love most about your state?

Liberty, the culture, the land, the people.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Economy, schools, opioids.

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