John Tilford

Tilford graduated from Bloomfield High School in Indiana. He obtained a B.S. in education from Indiana University. In 2003, Tilford graduated from the post graduate intelligence program with the National Defense Intelligence College where he obtained a master of science of strategic intelligence. When he was 41 years old, Tilford graduated from the United States Army Airborne School at Fort Benning.[2]

Tilford served as a private, E-1, in the United States Marine Corps at the start of the Vietnam War. He served for 18 months in Vietnam with Marine Air Control Squadron 4. Tilford served in the Indiana Army National Guard from 1976 to 1977. From 1979 to 2006, Tilford was part of the Army Reserve. He worked as a Drill Sergeant, advanced to Staff Sergeant, and accepted a direct commission to First Lieutenant in the Infantry.[2][3]

In 1996, Tilofrd worked on South Asia intelligence in Washington, D.C. He worked for four and a half years in the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Ground Intelligence Center.[2]

Tilford also worked in a series of civilian positions, including the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of the Navy.[2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Tilford accepts no campaign donations and would accept no more than one half of the $174,000 Congressional salary: "I've been called up through the Army Reserve for national service in DC before and after 9/11 and know what it costs. My paper 'Too Much Money in Politics' is available through the website. It's become obvious the current system for filling the 9th's seat favors government by and for the wealthy, and only of the people."

Tilford's website says he would fight for a seat on each of three committees: Veterans Affairs, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Oversight and Government Reform. He lists his qualifications for each. Tilford is locally known for successfully assisting veterans and surviving spouses with VA appeals; has a Master's in Strategic Intelligence and served as a senior intelligence analyst for both the Defense Intelligence Agency (in DC and later in the Pentagon as Chief, Afghanistan Cell) and the National Ground Intelligence Center (where he retired as Deputy Commander); and in his civilian career was a management and organizational analyst for both IRS in Indianapolis and the Navy at Crane, and was a member of two national task forces.

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?

Accept no donations.Accept only one half of $174,000 congressional salary.Fully qualified for three committees: Veterans Affairs, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Oversight and Government Reform.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Veterans Affairs, efficiency & effectiveness in government, ethical conduct.

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

My father, Willard L. Tilford. Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana Volunteer of the Year.

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

No one book, essay, or film. But certainly Orwell, Churchill, Jefferson, and Madison.

"Something else" would include my campaign website https://tilfordforcongress.com/ and personal blog https://johnwtilford.com/ .

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

Empathy. Remember how Bobby Kennedy changed dramatically when he was personally exposed to the poverty in America.

Ethical. Goes without saying, especially given what we have seen the last few years - and, really, for decades earlier.

Stewardship of personal, public, and national resources. Includes money, lives, tangible and intangible such as the formerly positive image of the United States.

Consistency of positions, regardless of to whom speaking or what situation. BUT with the courage to change in consideration of new evidence.

Courage.

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

Ethical.

Empathetic.

Experienced.

Intelligence (dropped MENSA membership as not productive)

Dedicated.

Maturity.

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

Maintain communication & situational awareness, to include the home district, government, and world. Listen to all levels, from the poorest constituent to the wealthiest corporate head. Trust but verify.

Read and understand legislation being considered, including expense and effects at all levels.

Participate fully in committee and other meetings. Contribute ideas and apply judgement.

Show up to votes.

Recognize need for government involvement and initiate legislation if required. Recognize lack of need for government involvement.

What legacy would you like to leave?

To show a regular citizen can, without accepting donations or spending a large sum of money, compete successfully for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.

If that barrier is broken, others can continue toward the ultimate goal of taking back the US government from moneyed interests.

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

Korean war. Four.

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

Marine Corps, March 1965 - January 1969.

I've done everything from loading and transporting human waste (the "Honey Run" in Vietnam) to being invited to brief the Office of the White House regarding the 2001 standoff between Pakistan and India, both nuclear powers who had already fought three wars. I've scrubbed floors at Burger Chef, and chose which of my subordinate West Point grads would be sent to work for Special Operations Command and which to Iraq. I've repacked expansion joints in still-hot steam pipes below the Indiana University Bloomington campus and repaired air traffic control computer systems while the planes were still in the air in a combat zone. I've worked hard at real jobs.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Do not have a single favorite. Many are great.

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

I don't want to be a fictional character. I want to be real.

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

Not "song", but Rhapsody in Blue.

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

The loss of those dear to me.

Frustration of seeing what things are and what they should be and not being changed.

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

The opportunity and obligation for representatives to serve both national interests and district interests, i.e., from local at one extreme to international at the other.

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

Yes! My experience in military and federal civilian positions contribute directly to my fitness for duty in the US House.

Bio at https://johnwtilford.com/bio-longer/

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

Preserving the Constitution.

Climate change.

China.

National debt.

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

Veterans Affairs, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Oversight and Government Reform.

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

Yes.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Chair, Veterans Affairs Committee.

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

Lee Hamilton.

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 widows I've helped with their VA appeals - to win is a blessing for them and me. Example from two months ago: Dara was eighty-two, cancer in remission, lived alone, and had given up on the VA ever paying her dependency indemnity compensation for her 100% service connected disabled husband's death. I helped her appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals and requested a personal hearing at the VA regional office nearest her home.

She won. BVA reversed the lower level VA denial. $85,000+ back DIC and $1,309 per month. Makes a big difference in her independence, self-respect, and quality of life.