Mike Cargile

Mike Cargile was born in Fort Hood, Texas. Cargile served in the U.S. Army from 1990 to 1991. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from Columbus State University in 1987.[1] Cargile's career experience includes working as the president of Big Event Pictures, a filmmaker, and a crossing guard. He has been a CYAA coach and a booster club parent.[2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Through the years I have been a coach, a crossing guard for my kids, a Booster President, Ways and Means Chairman and a deacon at my church. Professionally, I have been a writer, an actor, a director, a producer, an editor and a marketing director. Additionally, I helped run a small indie music label and managed a rock band from Australia and somewhere in the middle of all that, I helped handle the private label manufacturing for The Power Rangers food products. Prior to my move to California in 1991, I had a short stint as a Quartermaster Army Officer and then went Individual Ready Reserve after Desert Storm. My family has a long history with the US Army and I thought it would be exciting to try something new…Hollywood. I was not disappointed. Southern California is where I met my beautiful wife, Nan, and where we’ve raised our two kids. I understand that to whom much is given, much is required. And from that realization is born my desire to serve the people and businesses of the 35th Congressional District of California. This is not about ME, it’s about YOU… my neighbors!

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 United States is currently being invaded via our Southern border. We have no idea of the violent intent of these invaders. But we do know something of the evil they bring with human/child trafficking, the flood of fentanyl on our streets and the resultant crime and deaths. And that still doesn't touch on the loss of jobs held by Americans or the diseases being imported through unchecked illegal entry. I stand against boys in girls' sports, men in women's bathrooms, the sexualization of our children and racism in ANY form. I promise to protect the gas in your stoves, the gas in your cars, the price of food on your table and the safety of your family.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

International relations with the Latino community, veterans and the military, energy independence and environmentally friendly alternatives to wind and solar, domestic manufacturing.

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

Jesus Christ is the model for all that I strive to be. If we could all love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves... the world would be in a far greater state than it is now. The two greatest examples of Godly men in my life have been my Dad and my football coach.

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

Brave Heart and The Patriot are wonderful examples of patriotism and tenacity. My morals are Biblically based and I'm a HUGE fan of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

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

Moral integrity.

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

All my life, my nature has been to volunteer, lend a helping hand, make things better or to fix what is broken.

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

To protect, preserve and provide for the families of their district. The family unit is the foundation of everything else. https://www.cargileforcongress.com/family

What legacy would you like to leave?

I left it in better shape than I found it.

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

The "misery index" used during the Carter presidency. Then, I vividly remember the elation of the Reagan election...

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

I delivered newspapers for 5 years in Junior and High School.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible followed by The Lord of the Rings.

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

Tony Stark. His brain is his super power.

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

Try That In A Small Town - Jason Aldean

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

Getting to bed early, I am a night owl.

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

It is the single, greatest, direct voice of the people in their own government.

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

No. At this point in time, we need all the fresh ideas we can get. We need average citizens who are not tied a "good ol' boy" two party system.

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

First, we must stop the invasion of our country through our Southern border. Then, and only then, can we work on shrinking the size of the Federal government and re-establishing the balance of power between the three Branches, securing our elections and becoming energy independent.

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

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I am in favor of them.

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

I respect the tenacity of Matt Gaetz, the demeanor of Mark Green, the goals and stated values of the Freedom Caucus... I am a Reagan Republican, a Constitutional Conservative and America First.

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?

A young woman in my district fought for years to become a U.S. citizen. At the final step in her journey, she was denied because someone had been voting illegally for her with stolen ballots. She cried for nearly a week. We must fix our elections!

Tell us your favorite joke.

When I was a crossing guard at my kids school, a lot of the children were from dairy farms. I used to tell them this one...

"What is the fastest liquid?"

"Milk. It's passed your eyes before you even drink it."

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

No, but it is almost always inevitable.

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?

It is of paramount importance because of its impact on the taxpayer and their families. Every decision must be made through the lens of the American family.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Cautiously and responsibly. Never for political purposes.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

LA GOP, SB GOP Every Black Life Matters, National Right to Life, Moms for Liberty, Crime Victims United, LEXIT, LUCA, Republican National Hispanic Assembly, CRPA, CRA, Howard Jarvis, Pastor Jack Hibbs

What committees interest you?

Foreign Affairs, Veterans Affairs, Judiciary, Armed Services

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

We are supposed to be a government Of The People, By The People and For the People. The only way that happens is with complete transparency by those elected to represent us. Without that, how are we to insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity?

Campaign website

Cargile’s campaign website stated the following:

Jobs and the Economy

“That which governs least, governs best!” – Thoreau

The solution to our economic situation is, and always has been, lower taxes, less fees and fewer government regulations.

Before the pandemic hit, our country finished what could quite possibly be the greatest decade in human history in terms of economics, prosperity and peace. Yet, we in California were still facing the highest taxes, the greatest exodus of businesses, the worst explosion of homelessness, the greatest decline in education and the loss of a quality of life unprecedented in our State’s history.

The 35th Congressional District suffers from the same issues the State does, incompetent leaders who have chased businesses and employers out of the area. We have the highest taxes, across the board, and the least to show for it. Instead of working to stimulate the inherent creativity of the great people of California, our leaders enact job killing legislation like the misguided AB5 which seeks to rip the heart out of our small businesses and entrepreneurs.

The heartbeat of our nation, and our State, is a free economy! The biggest impediment to it is government involvement. When competition thrives, the people prosper. Personal freedom and free enterprise are the engines that drive everything else. It’s that simple. Lower the tax burden and eliminate burdensome government regulation and we will bounce back quicker than it takes to pack up and move to Texas!

People have to wake up! We cannot fix this State with the same officials in office who created the problems! We MUST have new leadership! This will require a grass roots movement and the personal resolve of every voter in the State to ignore the media rhetoric and vote for Donald Trump. But he can’t do it alone, we also need to vote for those who will support him as he tries to fix the mess we are in. You’ve seen the result of our current leadership, our State is crumbling around us. What have you got to lose?

My mandate in Congress will be to work with Federal, State and local governments to create a “business friendly” environment throughout the District. Every manufacturer, every business, every union, every city and every voter should be behind me in this race for the simple fact that I am pro-business!

Businesses supply the jobs, jobs that pay the taxes and the dues that fund the pensions and the payrolls for the cities, the first responders and the educators! Business drives everything! And I want the 35th to become a magnet for businesses!

You have a business or a great idea for one? THIS is where you want to bring it! You need a job? THIS is where you will find one. I truly believe that the 35th (Pomona, Chino, Chino Hills, Upland, Montclair, Ontario, Eastvale, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana) is the GREATEST district in California! We are the diamond in the rough! All it takes is the right leadership with the right vision in place and we will SHINE!

Election Integrity

Election integrity is the paramount issue of our time, for from it flow all the other issues plaguing our nation. It is upon this singular pursuit that our world will soon pivot from a celestial sphere of aspirations and possibilities to a swirling mass of unmitigated pain and misery as an unprecedented period of slavery emerges, clothed in the robes of Communism.

Think about it… every person currently elected to office was put in that position by a fraudulent system. Every single one of them. Why on earth would they want to “fix” the very system that put them in office? With overwhelming evidence that exhaustive overhauls need to take place in virtually every state, we now have a new litmus test for those in office. Do they support a full, top-down, and transparent audit of our election processes? Even if it costs them their position? If not, they need to be removed immediately. To survive what is coming, we MUST have leaders who value integrity above all else.

We must now harness the collective energies and efforts of our great nation in a way that has not been seen since our inception. If there ever was an hour upon which to try men’s souls, this is it!

Election Integrity is the cornerstone of our Republic. Consequently, its corruption impacts the entirety of the structure. As a result, whether it be economic issues, international issues, societal issues, environmental issues…nothing is as it should be! But the truth is those are all distractions from the REAL issue… We DID NOT CONSENT to the current leadership occupying key positions of power! Therefore, everything emanating from those people, every law, every rule and regulation runs contrary to the will of the American People!

To read more on Election Integrity and the lawsuit Mike is involved with at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, please click HERE to read his Op-Ed in the California Globe. To see the actual complaint, please click HERE.

Or HERE to read his Op-Ed in BizPacReview

Family

As a Christian and a family man, I stand for the sanctity of the Biblical definition of Marriage and the protection of the nuclear family. The family unit is the cornerstone of our society, as it goes, so goes the Nation.

Years ago, my old Pastor said “If you know what a lawyer knows, you’d be a lawyer. If you know what a doctor knows, you’d be a doctor. When a child knows what an adult knows… They are no longer a child.” From the pornographic images in the “health” books forced on them in elementary school, to drag queen story time, we rob our children of their childhoods by sexualizing them at an early age. We force young minds, who are still just trying to figure out how to tie their shoes, to process adult concepts like “homosexuality” and “transgenderism”. This is both psychologically and emotionally destructive and it is wrong!

From the explicit images bombarding our children every time they look at their phones or televisions to the twisted ideas concocted out of the darkened hallways of our Sacramento “educators”, there is but one goal in this whole endeavor. Their objective is to create willing participants for the appetites of adult sexual predators. Why else would they advocate for puberty blocking drugs that delay the natural development process into an adult? Why else would they go to such lengths to try to redefine the term “pedophile” to “minor attracted person”? If we allow this, how can we condemn the actions of people like Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, who exploit young girls, and yet allow grown men into our female bathrooms and locker rooms, all under the guise of being “transgender”? This must stop!

My family had a personal experience with this. We were traveling through Central California when we stopped for gas. As I was filling up the mini-van, unknown to me, a grown man, complete with mini-skirt and heels walked into the women’s bathroom while my daughter was in there. Thank God, nothing happened to her, but I promise the families of the 35th that I will work hard to ensure that no other family has to endure something like this in the future.

Unlike my opponent, Norma J Torres, I will protect our families and our children from the reach of these pedophile predators and I will work to safeguard their minds, hearts and emotions as well.

Safety

Unlike my opponent, Norma J Torres, I will always DEFEND the police and I will never support DEFUNDING them. Law enforcement and all of our First Responders have my unwavering support, in every aspect of their profession, to do their jobs effectively, proficiently and professionally.

This election, the vote you cast will have literal life or death consequences. Your life, the life of your family, friends and neighbors depend on the choices you make for our next round of leaders. It’s that simple. Let me show you why…

When I was in the Army and hung around Special Forces soldiers, when they weren’t deployed somewhere, all they did was train. Constantly. Because of this, we have the greatest Special Forces in the world. Their proficiency and tactics are unrivaled anywhere. And it’s all due to training… Now, take that lesson and apply it to law enforcement who are deployed EVERY DAY to the streets and neighborhoods of our Nation. How much do they get to train? Nowhere near enough…

Many of the mistakes that happen are not due to bad policing or bad tactics, they’re due to being under-trained. And it’s not that our officers don’t know how to do certain things, our police academies are excellent! But when you’re constantly on patrol or stuck behind a desk, that skillset tarnishes. It’s like the old adage “Use it or lose it”. And in today’s world of bodycams and cell phones, you can’t afford to be rusty on ANYTHING!

So what’s the solution? Easy. It’s the EXACT OPPOSITE of what our leaders are proposing! We need to spend MORE on actual tactical police training, not LESS. And because an officer who is in training isn’t out there covering the streets, we need to hire MORE officers to fill the gaps, NOT LESS! To do anything different jeopardizes the ability of law enforcement to be the absolute best they can be when they respond to an emergency situation. And in today’s world, everything is an emergency, nothing is “routine”, nothing happens in isolation and ramifications for mistakes can be catastrophic.

I believe community relations begin with School Resource Officers (SROs). For many children, an SRO is their first personal contact with someone in law enforcement. This initial impression will color that child’s view of police from that point forward. Therefore, our SROs need to be the best and brightest we have. Many of these officers will not only interact with these children but with their families as well, and in so doing, create the building blocks for mutual trust and respect. Additionally, I will support funding for student loan relief for those in law enforcement and programs for those entering the profession modeled on successes such as the GI Bill and loan relief for Veterans. Many departments are struggling with staffing shortages. Student loan funding/forgiveness and payment for higher education opportunities will incentivize professionals to join the force.

When you cast your ballot in November, please remember this… leaders or legislators who have advocated for reduced law enforcement either don’t understand the issue or worse…they don’t care to fix it. Safety and Security should never be politicized! In the end, like another old adage, “You get what you paid for” comes into play. The most precious thing you possess is LIFE. We must place its care and protection in the hands of leaders who feel the same way.

Immigration

The Cargile Plan

SYNOPSIS: Upon completion of the wall, all non-citizens residing within the continental United States prior to 2016, will have a 3 year period to begin filing for citizenship. Every available Federal resource will be allocated to expediting this process. This will be a ONE TIME offer. If you fail to begin the process within that 3 year period, you missed out on this opportunity. If you are a convicted felon and have abused your time in the United States, this offer is not available to you. However, if you have lived and worked in the United States, paid your taxes and obeyed our laws, you will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a citizen of the United States.

THE DETAILS: The greatest security measure the United States can have at its Southern border are strong, safe and prosperous neighbors in Mexico and the nations of Central America. However, my approach to immigration is rooted in two things: the Bible and the Law. Almost every issue plaguing our country at this moment can be solved with the simple Biblical principle “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” If I had been born in another country and saw what the United States offered in terms of freedom and opportunity, I would have done everything in my power to get here and make that available for myself and my family.

Rather than deal with immigration strictly through immigration laws, we should view the issue at hand as a contract…an unwritten contract. And as such, we should employ the idea of “detrimental reliance” to prove the nature of the agreement. For decades, there has been an unwritten agreement between the United States and the rest of the world that if you can just get here and assimilate into the fabric of our society, we will not enforce our immigration laws against you. How do we know this agreement exists? By the simple fact that millions and millions of undocumented immigrants uprooted their families, came here and did just that!

But now, we’re changing the terms of the agreement. With the building of the wall, we’re telling the world that we’re operating under a new agreement. From this time forward, we will enforce our immigration laws and you must use our designated ports of entry to enter into the United States. So where does this leave those who relied on the old agreement? Enter… The Cargile Plan.

First, we complete the wall. It is our number one defense against drugs and human trafficking and it is an essential element of our National defense. Additionally, it has been a high priority request by law enforcement at all levels for years. During this time of construction we begin re-allocating all available Federal resources for expediting a citizenship process for those who are physically residing in the United States. This will be a one-time event and a one-time opportunity for our Nation to close this chapter of our history.

Upon completion of the wall, the clock starts. We set three years as the time period for anyone who has lived here illegally prior to 2016, to begin filing for citizenship. If you fail to begin the process within that 3 year period, you missed out on this opportunity. If you are a convicted felon or have abused your time in the United States, this offer is not available to you. However, if you have lived and worked in the United States, paid your taxes and obeyed our laws, you will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a United States citizen. You still have to take the test and you have to pass, but we will expedite the process and reduce the cost to $50. Citizenship is like a marriage where divorce is not an option. Upon becoming a citizen, you will “forsake all others, until death do you part”. The United States is now your home, the Stars and Stripes is the flag of your allegiance and your oath is to the Constitution, not a political party or a person.

But Mike, this isn’t fair to those who did things the right way! And I would say “You are right!” This isn’t fair to those who did things legally and legitimately. However, we as a Nation, can continue down this road, spending literally HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS per year on illegal immigration (the cost of which is also born by these new citizens who “did it right”) or we choose to forgive the misdemeanor infraction of illegally entering the United States this one time and fix the problem ONCE AND FOR ALL. The theme of the Bible is God’s forgiveness of wrongdoing. I’m asking my Country, just this one time, in the interest of peace and justice, to pardon the trespass and extend conditional mercy to these individuals. Additionally, as stated above, illegally entering the United States is a misdemeanor. Voting illegally is a felony. Please don’t get used for your vote and forfeit this opportunity. This isn’t amnesty or even conditional amnesty, it is EXPEDITED CITIZENSHIP because it’s a humanitarian issue, not a political one.

Racism

“Racism is the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person’s social or moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics.” – ADL

I have found as a general rule, that in vigorous debate or heated conversation, the first one to raise the specter of race is usually the real racist. It is also interesting to me that “racism” is solely a visual prejudice. If you were to stand alongside someone in a pitch black room, and nothing was said, would you still be able to maintain a racial prejudice? No. When you close your eyes, we all look the same! The modern-day cultural cudgel we call “racism” is the political weapon of choice for those who seek to tear down and divide this great nation. And it is most often wielded with hypocritical abandon by those who project their own bigotries onto those around them. Do no fall for this sinister tactic! We are all Americans. We all have the same hope and dreams for our families. There is FAR more that unites us than divides us! We do not always have to agree on everything, but if we treat others the same way we want to be treated… I assure you, the best is yet to come!

Life

Life is a gift from God that begins at conception. And although I want to protect it from that moment forward, legislatively, one of the best things I’ve seen in my lifetime has been the “heartbeat bill”. If it has a heartbeat, it is definitively, incontrovertibly “alive”. As such, this tiny person has been endowed by our Creator with the unalienable right to LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS… just like the rest of us! Therefore, I will never support funding abortion.

There is nothing more precious than life and when we cheapen its intrinsic value we wind up with things like mass school shootings and condemning seniors to death in nursing homes. I tell people "Hitler brought the Jews to the gas chambers. Our governor brought the gas chamber to the nursing homes!"

When we view one another as simple “disposable” objects we set the stage for the rise of another Hitler or Stalin... or worse. My opponent, Norma J Torres, was once a 911 operator and yet she strongly supports abortion. One of the first things a 911 operator asks in order to determine whether a person is alive is “Do they have a PULSE?” or in other words, “Do they have a HEARTBEAT?”

However, I do feel strongly that we, as a nation, have largely failed in our duty to come alongside these women, regardless of how they became pregnant, and remove the consideration for abortion by making adoption a simple, convenient alternative. We need to re-look and re-think the entire process. Adopting a child shouldn’t take years and cost thousands and thousands of dollars for a couple who simply want to care for and raise a baby. The focus needs to be THE CHILD!

The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution speaks clearly to this issue when it says “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

Socialism

Unlike my opponent, I stand completely against Socialism/Communism. Both are a form of subjugation to governmental authority, all the while posing as egalitarian liberators. Socialism initially presents itself as the great “equalizer”. Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, the only equality actually achieved is one of equal hardship, misery and despair.

Why would anyone want this? Because Socialism disingenuously offers security. In this pact, a person intentionally surrenders all their freedoms and God-given rights to the government in exchange for a promise to have their basic needs met. However, in actuality, when a person is “liberated” from all their freedoms, they become a slave…a slave of the State. And in this new master/slave agreement, the government is more than a willing participant. What master wouldn’t agree to meet the basic needs of the slaves? It’s in the master’s best interest!

If you reduce Socialism to its core components, it is simply control of a very large group by a very small group. The very small group (let us call it the “Central Committee” or the “Party”) controls every aspect of the large group. Everything they do, everything they think, everything they believe is controlled by the Central Committee. For this to occur, and to continue, requires a religious devotion by the masses. There is no authority higher than the Central Committee. They are the gods of the people and whatever they disseminate is always seen as “truth”. This necessitates that the Party ALWAYS be seen as being in control and working on the people’s behalf…even when it is obviously not. Witness the disastrous results of failed propaganda campaigns to maintain that illusion with events like Chernobyl in Russia and now Covid-19 in China. Maintaining this façade requires that “corrections” made by the