Richard Carrizales

Richard Carrizales was born in Mount Clemens, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2001. He earned an associate degree from Northwestern Michigan College in 2021 and a bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University in 2024. His career experience includes working as a sales manager and mortgage bank surveyor. He has been affiliated with the Michigan Democratic Party and Shifted Lands Live Action Role-playing group.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a husband and father of 2 children. I am a former mortgage banker with degrees in engineering, project management and environmental sustainability. I've also collected many different certifications and trainings in different fields across most areas of study.

I am a Wexford county resident, born and raised in Metro Detroit before moving to Wexford in 2015. My goal was to provide my children with the best life I could, and is something I believe I have achieved in part by moving.

My future goals include owning some property on the Manistee River, with enough space to allow my parents and children to build on, creating own little family compound.

I have these simple dreams that I am to accomplish, and they are a big part of why I'm running for office. I want every American to have their own dreams they can work towards.

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?

Every American deserves to have a happy and healthy life. The governments job here is to minimize obstacles and maximize the likelihood of success.Businesses who take care of their employees should be supported by their government. When shareholder value is tied to employee well-being everyone wins.We need a system that highlights goals throughout life. Life has to matter beyond just retirement. For many, ages 20-70 don't matter, and thats a major problem I intend on fixing.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm an economics nerd at heart. My goal is to make sure everyone who works hard earns a good wage, and every company who pays a good wage is protected from external factors like foreign competitors.

I'm also concerned about our energy infrastructure. I believe we need a wide range of energy sources. Our base needs should be built on nuclear technology, and our peaks covered by a combination of fossil fuels and renewable energies.

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

I look up to different people for different reasons. Like many men my father is someone I deeply respect. I understand that he has flaws like the rest of us though, so I try not to hold him to too high of a standard.

As for examples, my focus is on being an example worth following. If that decision takes me down a road someone else has already traveled that's fine, but it's not something I'm following intentionally.

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

Conviction and accessibility. Having the conviction to stand behind your words and beliefs makes you someone others can trust in. It is impossible to agree with everyone on everything, so holding true to yourself makes it easier for others to know what they're getting out of you as an official.

Accessibility brings confidence. "The mailbox is full" is a tired trope that the American public has been sick of for years. To combat this, Ive set up a Discord channel where constituents can ask questions and where I can answer whenever I am available.

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

To work with the rest of Congress and pass laws that benefit Americans. Learning what the needs of the communities I represent are and finding others who represent similar communities to work together on solutions that benefit us all.

Additionally, being someone my constituents can be proud to send to DC. We are a reflection of our community and should hold ourselves accordingly.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I'd like to be known as someone who fought for a better average life. The kind of person people build plaques and park benches for. The idea that 100 years from now some curious person will look up my name and be inspired by all the things I did is an incredibly strong motivation.

As a family man, I hope to leave behind enough land for multiple generations to build and grow on. A little pond with a family center next to it for Sunday dinners, and just enough space for a bit of solitude when needed.

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

Operation desert storm. I was around 7 or 8 at the time. I remember having a neighbor that shipped out as part of the mission.

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

I cut grass as a youth. I stopped doing that after a few years when I was hired by a family friend to help with tearing up old floors.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I am a fantasy reader, and the Lord of the Isles series is easily my favorite. I believe we all need a little break from reality from time-to-time, and a good fantasy story is perfect for those moments.

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

None of them. I like myself, though I would love to have Dr Strange's powers. I could do a lot of good with what he has.

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

My biggest struggle has been depression. It took a long time to learn to love myself, and because of that I went through addictions, loss of friends and family and other significant issues.

Because of it, issues like addiction have become personal to me. It took a lot of work to get to where I am, and a conscious decision to prioritize my family that gave me a sense of purpose and self-worth.

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

The House is designed to be the most influential institution of American government. It is the one place where every American can receive equal representation and should be leading the nation.

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

This is situational. Some experience within a field is usually beneficial but it can also create stagnancy within the government. A lack of new ideas tends to lead to failure.

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

Finding ways to make life worth living for the youth. As AI replaces jobs, cost of living increases crush the American dream, and the costs to raise children rising exponentially, we see many young people giving up on life before they ever start.

This cannot stand. We need a road map for the youth to follow. How to get from school to owning a home, raising a family, and building a future worth looking forward to.

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

Yes. Two year terms forces representatives to work with a sense of purpose when done correctly.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I am not opposed to term limits but I am concerned they may make politicians more susceptible to bribery or sweetheart deals.

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

No. There are many representatives who have done good things over the years, but I believe that it is essential to be malleable, shaping myself to meet the needs of the day.

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?

Long before I decided to run, I spoke with a young couple while writing mortgages. They have 3 special needs children and lived in a one-bedroom apartment. Their struggle with medical debts left them forever unable to get a traditional mortgage. It's because of this story that I am so focused on healthcare in the US.

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

Absolutely. The understand of compromise needs to be expanded. Sometimes meeting in the middle doesn't work and the only real compromise is to set both parties ideas to the side and come up with an entirely new approach together.

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?

All bills that raise revenue need to have a clear value for the American people. Any bill that cannot demonstrate clear value is one I will reject. It should either be rewritten or scrapped.

Instead, I will focus my priorities on bills that every representative can see and show the value of, even if they don't agree with it.

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

The House should hold every politician to the highest standards. In addition, those with the money or power to ignore traditional investigations should be covered.

The House should investigate all potential incidents in a non-partisan manner and ensure that anyone violating these standards is held accountable.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I have been able to completely rid myself of a lifelong alcohol addiction. It's made me a better father and husband. Knowing that so many others struggle with it and that I can provide evidence of possibility is really something that makes me feel good about myself.

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

The government must be involved in overseeing AI development. AI tools can be used to make amateurs become experts. This has significant risks both economically and as a matter of national security.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?

I would like independent redistricting to become national law to ensure every American gets a fair say in DC.