Lonny Koons

Lonny Koons was born in Coldwater, Michigan. Koons served in the U.S. Army from 1997 to 2017. His professional experience includes working as a professional driver and driver trainer. [1] As of 2023, Koons was affiliated with the VFW, American Legion, Forward New York, and Braver Angels.[2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a retired combat veteran, truck driver and a full time college student.Born and raised in the farmlands of southern Michigan and permanently living in the North Country of New York after 20 years of military service, I want to continue to serve and earn the respect and trust of the people of the 117th Assembly District and the North Country and represent US in Albany as a working class American putting the people firstm

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?

Term LimitsReferendumsRebuilding the North Country

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Term Limits and Equality; Equality in Politics, Race, Gender, Religion, ect.

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

General Mattis. He is a born leader and has represented the military in a positive way.

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

Not as this time.

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

Leadership and moral fiber to stand up for what is right not what is easiest or benefits the legislation.

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

Integrity, Honesty, Selfless Service

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

To represent the people, PERIOD.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to prove to the working class people that we are capable of controlling our destiny and that politics is not an elitist cast of people.

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

Challenger Explosion, 7 years old.

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

US Military (Army) for 20 years and 11 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Starship Troopers because it describes how those who have served understand the sacrifice necessary to lead.

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

Jack Bauer (24). He always succeeds and always puts others needs before his own.

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

To Be A Man by Dax.

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

Fighting to keep the lights on and food on the table during the turmoil that our country has endured in recent years.

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

A partnership.

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

Unity across party lines.

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

Not necessarily.

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

Yes. Cooperation is key in progressing.

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

No, I want to forge my own path forward.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not at this time.

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?

The people want to be truly represented by someone who puts their needs before the party. Many residents voice this to me in different words but seem happy that I am at their doorstep asking what they think is important.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Any "Dad" joke that makes my children wince.

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

Yes.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Term Limits.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

New York State Teamsters Union (pending)

Braver Angels (Pending)

Forward New York (Pending)

What committees interest you?

Interstate Commerce, Military / Veterans Affairs

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a retired combat veteran, currently working as a professional driver. I served in the US Army for 20 years as an Airborne Infantryman and retired in 2017. I want to represent the average, working-class citizens of the North Country in Washington, DC as one of us.

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?

I stand for complete equality amongst the people regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, sexuality or any other thing that makes us different.I want elected officials held to the same standards as average-Americans; all politicians held to the same scrutiny regardless of party or status.The Constitution is what makes our country great; our elected officials need to live by it and stop skirting details to benefit themselves or those that are financing their careers.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about any areas that directly influence and, or affect the people of the North Country of New York; things that our current elected officials overlook because they do not directly effect them.

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

I have no one individual I look up to but I strive to emulate the bravery and command influence of the leaders I served under in the US Army.

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

I am writing my own path forward with every step I take.

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

Leadership, charisma and the ability to work with others to come to the best solution for as many Americans as possible as quickly as possible without their personal needs or benefits affecting their decision-making.

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

Leadership, Integrity and unwavering Loyalty

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

The ONLY responsibility of a US Congressional Representative is to represent the people he, or she is representing.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to show the average-American that the rich and powerful do not run this country and that normal citizens like myself can stand for what is right and influence our future.

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

The first historical event I remember was the Challenger exploding; I was 6 or 7 at the time.

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

I worked mowing grass and milking cows in southern Michigan until I went to college, met my wife, and joined the US Army where I served 20 years until my retirement in 2017.

What is your favorite book? Why?

N/A

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

N/A

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

N/A

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

Watching our country fall to pieces.

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

The US House directly reflects the current social / economic heartbeat of each district and because of the short terms, has the ability to keep a fresher point of view than the Senate.

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

No, if anything it has hurt our way of life and not having political backgrounds is views as a negative so the same people keep getting elected / re-elected to make changes but that change cannot happen unless there is change in the pool of elected officials.

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

This great country needs to step up; stop pandering to each other and act like the great Americans that made us the world power we used to be. We have allowed nearly every standard; education, military power, financial power, and more slip and we need to straighten our priorities out before we are left in the rear view mirror of progress.

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

I would prefer to not be on any committee that does not directly influence the people of this district or that I have no experience in. I would be interested in any military, agricultural or interstate commerce committees as that is my area of expertise.

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?

No, I believe that 2 years is to short a time because Congressional representatives end up spending half their time, or more campaigning instead of creating policy.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I think that term limits are necessary in order to ensure that elected officials on all levels do not become career politicians with views and agendas that do not benefit anyone but themselves.

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

No, I am my own person and will blaze my own trail.

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 biggest thing I hear from the residents of this district is that we are being represented by someone who does not represent them and they want that to change.

Tell us your favorite joke.

N/A

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

Compromise is the only way to effectively create policy. To many politicians have to have it their way, or no way and it is detrimental to the people they serve.

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?

I would push for timely and effective creation of legislation rather than the repetitive cycle we currently have where budgets lapse over and over again.