Leslie French

Leslie French was born in Orlando, Florida. He earned a bachelor's degree from Portland State University in 2006 and a J.D. from Concord Law School in 2014. French's career experience includes working as the managing member of Believe LLC and a corporate president, vice president, chairman, and executive director. He has been associated with the Association of Mature American Citizens, the Federalist Society, Gun Owners of America, International Churchill Society, National Rifle Association, USA Gymnastics, and USA Gym Clubs.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A resident of Washington's 3rd Congressional District since 2016, I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for 44 years. I believe in the protecting our northwest values, chief among them freedom and security. More than anything else I love this Country, I love our Constitution, and I love God.

Prior to running for election, I have had over 40 years of business management experience, including 30 years of executive experience. I formerly was a union member of AFT AFL-CIO Local 3922 and served on its Executive Counsel. A lot of fine American workers are members of the unions, but the leadership is corrupt.

I obtained my law degree from Concord Law School, and my bachelor of science degree in business management from Portland State University. At present I own a USA Gymnastics club and a copywriting business.

I stand with Washingtonians in protecting our awesome environment, in promoting gun ownership and safety for personal security, in securing our southern border against illegal and uncontrolled entry, and in keeping our elections SECURE and out of the hands of Big Tech and the billionaire elites.

I have been a registered Republican since 1972, except for a brief time in 2008. I am a federalist, and believe deeply in the principles of individual constitutional protections from government.

I have federal legislative experience through my involvement with national and international trade associations.

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?

Congress must act now to protect Americans against tyranny. This is the federal role, to Defend Our Freedom. Under the Biden Regime, the federal government has done nothing to protect citizens against the tyrannical policies of power-hungry governors and government tyrants. People must be free to work, free to choose whatever medical treatment (if any) they want, and must be free to decide what their children shall be taught. Only Congress can correct this disastrous course that the Left seeks.The Arizona legislature's audit has proven our elections have been compromised. Without secure elections, protected from foreign powers, there is no democracy. The wealthy tech giants and the ruling elite have purchased the White House, have purchased the Congress, and the Supreme Court is their final target. The leaders in office now so despise the American people that they are doing everything in their power to destroy American culture, to reverse the great prosperity during the Trump administration, and to diminish our safety and security by promoting crime and lawlessness. These people hate American prosperity, they hate religion, and they have no morality. This trend must be reversed and it begins in the federal legislature.Americans desire a basic unity. Unity requires courage, leadership, and commonality. We seek freedom of choice, belief in God as the Supreme Authority, and the American Spirit of Freedom. Regardless of one's personal church or religion, we can UNIFY our selves on commonly held principles. I believe in commonality as a starting point for unity and strength. Our identity is American.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am very passionate about the role of local elections in public policy. The local school board, the community college directors, city council, county commissioners and judges, the district attorney, the sheriff--these are the important policy positions that conservatives have been ignoring for decades. Now the left-wing nonsensical pirates of public policy have infected these institutions with radical Marxist propaganda which is a strategy to weaken and destroy the American culture. We have to elect strong leadership to every stratum of government, local or national, and that is how we clean up this mess.

It is not the federal role to dictate policy reserved to the states.

The corruption of the U.S. Department of Justice complete, with the DOJ and the FBI inserting itself into the local affairs of school districts. The IRS wants access to every checking and savings account. Agents of the FBI, according to court documents, innocent American patriots, who came to hear President Trump's speech on January 6, 2021, to unwittingly break the law. The FBI inserted agents into the crowds to encourage a riot in our nation's Capitol building, and calling the mostly peaceful protestors "terrorists" and "insurrectionists". This evil corruption can only end with Congressional action. I will vote to reform or dismantle the FBI as we know it. A Republican majority is needed to strengthen and enforce the laws to clean up the corruption found in both parties.

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

I would recommend Conrad Black's "Donald J. Trump: A President Like No Other", a biographical essay on President Trump. The essence boils down to this: there are those of us who believe that the institution of America was Divinely predestined, that the fate of freedom of all peoples worldwide lay in America's ability to be great (American Greatness), and that the guiding force of faith in God, equality for all, and universal freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness will guarantee that anything can be accomplished though hard work, sincerity, honesty, and belief in the decency of the American Dream. What Mr. Black describes is how I think, what I believe, and what motivates me. I believe I am in the right place at the right time for the right purpose.

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

There are many challenges to federal officeholders in modern-day politics, particularly for representatives who choose to stick to their campaign values, who "do the right thing" for the American people, who strive to remain ethical, and to overcome vicious attacks from the opponent. I am that person, and that is why I have been referred to as the "Uncommon Candidate".

I have been challenged many times in business, but never defeated. Determination and dedication to follow through, to make it happen, requires courage and willingness to accept pain, but never to sacrifice reputation. We work hard and we continue to push through the challenge regardless of how unpleasant it may be. I do not give up, I do not change positions, and most importantly I do not betray the purpose for which I have been appointed.

Through my time at working at Believe, I have trained many thousands of children in the art of gymnastics. The key to success is to imagine the possibilities (Dream), to create and execute a plan which may require years of hard work but you know the outcome will be success (Believe), and finally to accomplish the thing that you have poured your soul into (Achieve). I have watched these young men and women as young as barely walking age transform into first class athletes, go onto college, and in many cases obtain greatness in their careers. To me, it is an inspiring miracle to watch these future leaders grow.

At this time America needs leaders who will not desert the cause, who will not knuckle under pressure, appearances be damned. I am that person.

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

Transparency, conformity to the constitution, and maintaining the highest ethical standard in this elected office are the highest core responsibilities. All actions, all considerations on bills, all representations to the public and to the members of the House, must be faithfully executed in complete honesty before the public. Americans are tired of being "gaslighted".

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

I remember John F. Kennedy being elected President, defeating Richard M. Nixon in 1960. I was six years old and recall my grandparents discussing the election, causing me to ask questions about international affairs such as the Cuban crisis, and U.S. history generally, due to my grandfather's experience and evening discussions regarding current and historical events.

Election fraud played a major role in the 1960 presidential election. Even though Nixon was projected to win Illinois, and thereby win the Electoral College vote, there was a late, delayed count coming out of Cook County, which at the time was controlled by Mayor Richard Daley and the Chicago Democrat Party machine. Upon hints of allegations of fraud giving Kennedy the edge, Mayor Daley ordered the voting machines to be locked up and sealed so they could not be tampered with or examined--not even by federal elections inspectors! With lawsuits being filed by both sides, and a fear that the matter could take months if not years to make its way through the courts, Candidate Nixon conceded the election to Kennedy in order to spare the nation the grief of a prolonged legal battle.

Regardless, President Kennedy projected well to the American people, and became very popular. Kennedy made the race to space, and specifically the moon shot, a high priority for America, pledging that the United States would land a man on the moon before the end of 1969. Neil Armstrong became the first American astronaut to walk on the moon in the summer of 1969.

These events are important to me because sixty years ago an American President could set a goal for the American People, and we as a nation could accomplish the goal, even landing a vehicle on the moon. Yes we had an endless war, Viet Nam. Yes we had a flu epidemic in 1967-68, much worse than today's covid virus. Yet as a nation we focused on prosperity and the important things, and we thrived, never sacrificing freedom or integrity.

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

First job was a morning newspaper carrier for the Orlando Sentinel at the age of 14, but my first "real" job was driving a truck in a cattle feed lot in Aetna Township in Michigan where I worked for two seasons. The training I received as a teenage farm worker led to bigger things later on, including working on a Texas ranch.

The most enjoyable job I had the privilege of working on a range cattle ranch in East Texas while at Ambassador College in the early 1970's. That job was performed on horseback utilizing well-trained cutting horses. My crew was responsible for several hundred beef and dairy cattle, moving the herds from pasture to pasture, supplemental feeding, checking the stock for disease or other issues, tagging, branding, and other tasks involved in range cattle management.

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

In recent-times music, I think Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" sticks in my head with its catchy melody and march rhythm. Since the song is based on King Louis XVI's fall from grace with the French proletariat, I am fascinated with its first-person approach of King Louis actually singing the song and describing his own demise. I view Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, as the modern personification of King Louis XVI, where he was popular with the proletariat in the beginning, only to be taken down as a result of his tyranny against the people.

Ever since I was a youngster I think the song that I have carried in my mind for years is Frank Sinatra's "My Way". The melody and the lyrics project confidence, satisfaction of self-accomplishment, and an outcome that the protagonist unabashedly proclaims without shame. There were mistakes, there were obstacles and challenges, but at the end of the day, I came through. That is who I am, and I think that is why this song remained at the top of my list for many years.

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

House reps have an important role as the direct voice of their respective constituents to create, amend, or defeat legislation on behalf voting citizens, and is the only federal office where this unique relationship with the people exists. There is no direct advise and consent in the House as there is in the Senate, but the House ultimately does hold the power of the purse.

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

I believe it is usually helpful to have previous political experience, but that experience does not have to be as an office-holder. It is beneficial to work in the legislative process with lobbyists or congressional committees on legislative bills and issues that , for example could be important to business interests or social policy. In my case the issues involved copyright statute and internet speech legislation (commonly referred to as Sec. 230). This experience was a strong consideration in my decision to run for Congress.

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

Our greatest challenge is domestic; it must be to defeat the brute insistence of socialism and Marxism in the marketplace of ideas. The solution is to restore the nuclear family, and to seize control of public education at the local level. The left hates the concept of the nuclear family and wants to create a government where the ruling class impress Americans into a "nanny state".

It is no accident that crime including murder, is on the rise at a greater pace, that prosecutors refuse to prosecute, that our schools promote social corruption, and that weird new social rules are being administered through the Department of Education. This is intended to break down the family unit, to destroy our unique American culture.

Citizens must be responsible for governing schools at the local level. It is not the responsibility of the federal government or the powerful school unions to run our schools and colleges; Congress must protect the freedom of parents to determine the best education for their families.

We must not let the left-wing ideology powered by foreign billionaire adversaries and the CCP continue to "dumb down" our children with scams such as the "climate change/global warming" strategy. Instead, we should be teaching our students subjects such as critical thinking, the scientific method, the history of civilization, the history of our planet's climate, and so forth. Climate change has been around for billions of years, and it will be here forever. While it is important that science and technology continue to advance in the area of climate study, scientists and educators must be allowed to freely report actual data and research without hog-washing the conclusions. The concept of "question authority" must be returned to our educational system, and students must have the freedom to inquire without threat of consequence.

American Greatness can be achieved only once we defeat corruption within, and restore freedom as a beacon to the world.

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

There is a strong need for new thinking in many house committees, but the ones at the top of my list include House Administration (federal election oversight), Homeland Security, and Judiciary, where I believe my knowledge and past experience in legislative matters would be of benefit.

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

Two years is the perfect term for representatives as it imposes accountability to the residents of the district. Under the current two-year system, the discussion on "term limits" is moot since the voters having the ability to term a representative every two years.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

When the drafters of the U.S. Constitution considered the matter of limited terms for federal legislators, they deliberately decided not to include term limits. Likewise they considered, and rejected, recall elections for federal officials. It seems that the tried and true method of congressional responsibility is baked into the procedures of impeachment and rules of censorship. On the other hand, the First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees citizens the right of redress.

Term limits is a constitutional issue, and many Americans would like to see term limits set on Congress, and some states historically and recently have tried to impose term limits, which the courts have rejected. While I like the idea of term limits as a check on abuse of authority, I think the drafters of the Constitution have the correct process in place as it stands. To impose term limits on Congress, the Constitution would have to be amended. But citizens already have the power to limit terms through the electoral process, and that is where I believe the power should remain.

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

Gerald Ford was a great representative worthy of attention and example. Ford's leadership in the House during his term in the 1960's-70's was exemplary, during a time when true statesmanship existed in the House. Congressman Ford's ability and wisdom in bringing about a "meeting of the minds" eventually led to his approval for Vice-President of the United States after being nominated by President Nixon. Ford, of course, ascended to President during the most difficult American crisis since World War II, when Nixon resigned and the Congress prevented our government from pursuing Nixon's "Vietnamization" program as part of withdrawing U.S. troops from Viet Nam. Inflation of the Dollar was out of control, and Congress was defunding the military. It took great courage to lead the Nation through this period of time, and our country was fortunate that Ford held things together until the next election.

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

For the legislative branch of government, i.e. the Congress, compromise is essential for policymaking. Laws and rules governing policy cannot be agreed upon unless there is some degree of benefit to all parties. Likewise, there must be some risk to all parties that not all objectives will be met. Otherwise, there cannot be unity in agreement that the legislative policy has sufficient support of the American People.

Compromise is especially important in budget matters, where all 50 states are NOT equal. The ability to compromise can give a small state such as Wyoming elevated bargaining status when its representatives are negotiating with representatives of a much larger state such as New York.

The perspective of the Executive Branch is a little different. It is the prerogative of the President to establish the hard moral boundary line on what his party approves or disapproves. It has less to do with popular support and more to do with political agenda. But the Congress, once legislation is passed on a unified and compromised vote, has the power to override the presidential veto if the President refuses to consent to the legislation.

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?

For nearly fifty years now, we have heard talk of balancing the budget, etc. It almost happened during the mid-1990's. My intention is to vote to reign in the federal budget at every turn and opportunity. Taking control over the revenue monster is a long term process, but we have the opportunity to chip away at the problem every step of the way in every legislative cycle.

I think it is reasonable to say that federal taxation is excessive and irresponsible. I personally would like to see corporate income taxes eliminated (corporations don't pay taxes, only people pay taxes) and for personal income taxes to be reduced substantially. The federal government should rely more on revenue sources such as oil and gas leases, timber sales, and mineral exploration. Furthermore, I would like to see the federal government get completely OUT of the business of picking "winners and losers" when it comes to investing the taxpayers' money. These ideas can all be approached through congressional action.