Mark Kilbane

Mark Kilbane was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He served in the United States Army. Kilbane earned a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in 1989, a graduate degree from the United States Naval War College in 2013, and a graduate degree from the University of Oxford in 2017.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Lifelong Republican Mark J. Kilbane is running in 2022 for U.S. Congressional Representative in New Hampshire’s First District.

The fiercely individualistic New Hampshire spirit enshrined in the state license-plate motto “Live Free or Die” has been quashed by the divisive identity politics propounded by liberal campus professors and parroted by mainstream media.

Electing Mark will return a voice to those who believe in the value of the family, less government and taxation, and the right to bear arms. A voice for those who are optimistic about New Hampshire and the United States; those who reject vitriol and the toxic worldview of today’s progressives.

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?

RAISE STANDARDS. When have you ever heard a member of the left *raise* standards? We reject critical race theory and LGBT issues in schools and focus on academics and challenging our youth to succeed..STRONG AMERICA. I support Live Free or Die, which means the right to bear arms. As a former officer, I support veterans and advocate for a strong military to defend the United States.ROBUST ECONOMY. If your house is on fire, you put it out first. Soaring inflation must be battled by freeing domestic oil production now.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

*If your house is on fire, put it out.* Many issues face us in these chaotic times, from Roe v. Wade to the Second Amendment to the division in America, but one issue is paramount—skyrocketing inflation. On Day 1, I will introduce legislation to open U.S. gas and oil production. I support renewables but we are many years away from reliance on alternatives.

I support parents and families. I agree with New Hampshire's attempts to pass the parental bill of rights to protect our kids from ideological indoctrination. Academic scores continue to plummet as fundamentals are supplanted with toxic critical race theory and identity politics.

Our veterans continue to be neglected. Statistics show 16 VA medical centers had emergency waiting-room times longer than 6.5 hours and only 2 of 115 had waiting times similar to non-VA hospitals. 40,000 veterans remain homeless. We need shelters and public-private partnerships to get these talented vets off the streets and reintegrated into society.

Projecting weakness internationally affects us even in New Hampshire. The debacle in Afghanistan beclowned the United States and led to the deaths of good servicemen and -women. That event signaled to Putin that the coast was clear to invade Ukraine. America retreating from the global stage means the vacuum is immediately filled by illiberal governments such as Russia and China. The chaos from war affect prices here at home—but don't forget Biden's inflation began *before* the Ukraine

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

I visited the Jefferson Memorial recently in Washington, DC. If you ever need any shred of ego dissolved, that's the place. Like the man himself, the memorial is awe-inspiring. As I get older and busier I wonder how it is conceivably possible to do as many things as Jefferson accomplished in his lifetime. He was an inventor, founded the University of Virginia, and was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Did I mention he was an accomplished violinist and found time to pen lengthy missives to leading intellectuals globally? Oh—and he was president. A quote of his is carved into the marble above Jefferson's statue, which is just as relevant today in an era of media censorship over conservative views: "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." —Jefferson.

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

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

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

I don't know about the first event, but I was in DC at the time of 9/11 and heard the plane hit the Pentagon. That day affected me deeply.

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

Paper Boy. I delivered papers every morning for over a year in high school. I remember below-zero weather where the breath on my scarf would freeze and it would turn into a block of ice and sag down!

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

Purse strings. Congress's primary power is controlling federal spending. Additionally, with two-year term limits and district-level elections, the House is closer to the people's voice than the Senate, Executive, or Judicial branches.

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

I am indifferent on the issue because it depends on the legislator. Many—if not most—representatives had no prior political office and some have performed superlatively.

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

It is usually the political left who are guilty of hysteria and hyperbole. However, the United States as a republic is genuinely under grave threat. the Army was brought in to lock down Washington, DC, during Biden's inauguration, which was surreal. Conservatives were targeted and silenced. Political legitimacy was bruised by the last presidential election, every tiny issue is politicized, and division, strife, and turmoil are the norm.

Social media has brought some advantages but has served as kerosene on the fire dividing the United States. Unless the two sides can tone down the rhetoric, the situation will be untenable. That does not mean the right should capitulate on fundamental issues such as resisting the "woke" ideology that divides us. The value of family and the rights of parents to choose for themselves when to bring up adult issues such as sexuality with their children should be protected. It is no surprise that scores on exams are plummeting as traditional education is replaced by a "social justice" curriculum.

Should the United States continue to retreat from the global stage, illiberal governments such as China and Russia would be more than happy to fill the gap. And they already are. The United States Navy is arguably our greatest asset, which keeps the sea lanes open globally through which over 90% of goods travel internationally. We keep these lanes open even for countries opposed to us. China and Russia are unlikely to be so generous.

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

With my background of deployments with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Ukraine and NATO in Turkey, I would likely be a good fit for the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. As a former Army captain, I would be pleased to serve on the House Committee On Veterans' Affairs or the influential House Committee on Rules.

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 (see comment above on the unique qualities of the House).

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Every two years the voters get a chance to choose a new U.S. Congressional representative. Consequently, I think it is unnecessary to sign a term-limit pledge. Having said that, I have a dim view of the Congressman-for-life and respect the Trey Gowdys or Bill Frists who voluntarily step away after a number of years of public service.

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

I would be well served to emulate the acumen of Trey Gowdy or Ted Cruz, who come prepared to dissect congressional witnesses.

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?

I met a old timer at the Exeter Sportsman's Club who devotes all his spare time and energy to ensuring the club has a safe environment for New Hampshirites to enjoy the range and learn about firearms. He donated his engineering skills and materials to refurbish the range to modern safety standards. Mostly he had to battle those with contrary political views who did everything in their power to shut down the range. His perseverance was inspiring—2A rights is not a light issue and has immense meaning in New Hampshire. I will fight tooth and nail to keep the Second Amendment alive in New Hampshire.

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

Compromise on details of legislation is possible but never on fundamental principles.

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?

If your house is on fire, you put it out first. My first day in office, I will submit a bill to open up domestic fossil fuel production. I support renewables, but we are many years away from relying solely on alternative energy. We must get inflation under control.

Campaign website

Kilbane's campaign website stated the following:

RAISE STANDARDS

When have you ever heard of someone from the political left raising standards?

Cutting down every tree to level the playing field is a disastrous policy that has led to a precipitous decline in scores. Education is wholly owned by the left and is failing. Equality does not begin at the door to Harvard: true reform begins by improving NH education from pre-K through high school through concrete, targeted efforts involving parents and public-private partnerships.

“None of these results are impressive.”

—Peggy Carr, National Center for Education Statistics

A STRONG AMERICA

Nothing happens in a vacuum.

The chaotic ascension of a frail President Joe Biden in 2020 was followed by the catastrophic and impetuous decision by faceless Biden staffers to sprint out of Afghanistan, which cost dear American lives.

Our veterans remain neglected with substandard facilities and horror stories of abuse of our elderly warriors. Representatives who believe in America are needed now to promote a strong military and support those who gave all.

ROBUST ECONOMY

Economics is based on perceptions.

From the value of a dollar to the price of a home, human expectations and investors’ perceptions affect markets and our livelihood. A weak America retreating from the global stage means fewer markets for U.S. goods and services. Domestic strife, polarization, and a lack of confidence in duly elected leaders equal soured investor expectations and inflation.

We need low taxes to compete for foreign markets against a rising China and elected leaders who inspire the American tenacity that saw the building of mighty skyscrapers.

SIMPLE VALUES

If the woke movement could point to successes, I would support it. Instead, it has divided America—worsening race relations in the United States, inciting violence, and fomenting strife. I oppose the teaching of self-loathing to our children and university students at the expense of basic education, which has stolen the most precious gift of youth—aspiration.

But I’m not simply running against left politics, I’m running for something: optimism. I ask New Hampshirites to believe in the United States, hold their heads high, work hard, and have fun, enjoying the best life has to offer.

TIME TO TAKE BACK THE HOUSE

RUNNING AGAINST

Tax and spend resulting in runaway inflation

Erasing the concept of “man” and “woman”

Critical Race Theory

Weak, politicized military

Vapid virtue signaling

General malaise, ennui, introspection

RUNNING FOR

Families, freedom, and finances

Lower taxes and exploitation of U.S.—not foreign—oil.

Competitiveness by raising educational standards

Care for our veterans

Free trade and expansion of U.S. markets

Optimism[2]

—Mark Kilbane's campaign website (2022)[3]