Rob Strickler

Rob Strickler was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Pennsbury High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Kutztown University in 1985. His career experience includes working in business management.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was raised in Levittown/Fairless Hills, the youngest of seven, a baby boomer. My father, a WWII Marine veteran, made a good living until bankruptcy forced us to sell our home. He then became a school bus driver and my mother worked as a secretary, and they struggled to make ends meet.

I graduated from Pennsbury High School, then Kutztown University with a BFA. I married my high school sweetheart and worked in the corporate world as a designer, creative director, video game designer and software product manager. Currently, I manage an eyewear company and am a partner in a business venture.

Other than three years in Delaware, Sue and I have lived in Horsham, North Wales and Buckingham for 37 years. We’ve worked hard and now have a great life together in beautiful Bucks County. We love our home, family and neighbors. I golf, paint and do wood carvings while Sue gardens, makes bread and leather crafts. We both love our dogs and the Eagles (Go Birds!)! We are very blessed.

As for politics, I’ve never been closely aligned with any political party. Over the decades I’ve voted for Republicans like Arlen Spector and Jim Greenwood or Democrats like Bob Casey and Patrick Murphy.

That changed when Donald Trump won the GOP nomination in 2016. As long as this race-baiting demagogue is leading this party and country towards fascism and totalitarianism, I cannot vote for any GOP candidate at any level.

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?

Low-middle income Americans have been getting screwed over by our government for the past fifty years while billionaires have benefited from laws and an economy that enriches them at the expense of working men and women. Because of this, there's now a dangerous level of wealth inequality which, if not addressed, will be the end of our Republic.

The 1913 amendment that allowed Congress to collect income tax mandated that the lowest rate was 1%, and only applied to income above $3,000, which is $97,000 in today's dollars! The income tax was never intended to hit low-middle income wage earners as hard as it does today.

So we must rewrite our tax laws to shift the burden away from low-middle income wage earners. Simple as that!Money in our elections is killing us. NOTHING will change if we don't drastically restrict or eliminate donations to political campaigns, PACs and Super PACs.

Want to stop global warming? The fossil fuel industry pays a lot to oppose that. Low prescription drug prices? The pharmacy industry donates millions to ensure that doesn't happen. Want to buy your own government agency? Donate $280 million like Elon Musk and you can run DOGE.

If we're going to allow donations, then only an actual human being who is a US citizens can contribute with the maximum amount of $50/year to a candidate, PAC or Super PAC. No organization, corporation, PAC or other group can donate, though they can encourage members to make donations.Brian Fitzpatrick has not kept his oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States”. He voted AGAINST impeachment after the J6 attack, even after he said:

“What happened today was nothing short of a COUP ATTEMPT. The President of the United States has been lying to his supporters with false information and false expectations. He lit the flame of incitement and owns responsibility for this.”

Fitz called it a COUP ATTEMPT. If you won't impeach a for a coup attempt, what in hell will you impeach him for?

Trump is back in office now because Brian Fitzpatrick and others in the GOP are afraid to oppose him. Instead of doing their jobs, they'd rather keep their jobs. We need integrity and courage in Congress.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Tax reform that favors low-middle income Americans

Election reform: Campaign financing

Eliminate Gerrymandering

Eliminate the Electoral College

Affordable Housing

Global Warming

Affordable Healthcare and Prescription Drugs

Restore Medicaid, SNAP and other programs impacted by Trump and GOP policies

Humane Immigration management

Reproductive Healthcare protection at the federal level

Withhold support from Israel as long as Netanyahu purses starvation and genocide in Gaza

Support Ukraine as they defend their democracy against Russia

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

Integrity. Honesty. Compassion. Courage.

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

First: Follow the Constitution! There's a reason why members of Congress take an oath that says, "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.." I don't care what your political philosophy is, what policies you support or what your agenda is. That oath should be at the top of your list of priorities. Brian Fitzpatrick has dishonored his office and his oath by not opposing Trump's attacks on our democracy and Constitution.

Secondly: Vote your damn conscience! You're priority is not to get re-elected. Pursue policies that will serve your constituents and America best. Put country over party. Publicly and loudly oppose anyone, regardless of party, who undermine our Constitution or pursue policies that don't serve the public good.

Thirdly: You're there to serve the people, not yourself. Do not use your office to enrich yourself using insider information for investments. This has got to stop.

What legacy would you like to leave?

We are all stewards and defenders of our democracy and Constitution. We must depose Donald Trump and roll back his attacks on our democracy to ensure the children of today and future generations enjoy the blessings of liberty as promised in the Constitution. Then we must reform our elections so our government will work for working class families. To me, that would be a hell of a legacy that we all could leave.

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

A representative in the House tends to be more connected to his/her constituents, or at least should be. Brian Fitzpatrick, who has never held a town hall, appears to have no interest in that. The House is also unique in that it can start impeachment proceedings agains the president.

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

It can be beneficial, so long as they don't let the trappings of office or desire to be re-elected cloud their judgement. Personally, I believe that it's often those with no prior experience who have the greatest impact and make the best representatives. They bring an outsider perspective to government and politics and can see more clearly what needs to change. People nowadays are seeking change agents in government, because they're tired of establishment party candidates who take the same approach to government, with the same results.

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

1. Avoid becoming a totalitarian state like Hungary, Russia, etc.. We shouldn't have to worry about this but sadly, the results of the 2024 election have made this the top priority.

2. Money controlling our elections and candidates. For some time now billionaires, PACs, Super PACs, corporations and other interests have donated millions if not billions to ensure elections and ensuring policies turn out to their liking.

3. As a result of #2, we have extreme wealth inequality in our country. Low-middle income wage earners struggle to pay bills or achieve financial security. If we are not able to rebalance the scales back in favor of working men and women, we risk the end of our republic. A warning from James Madison, Father of the Constitution:

"We are free today substantially but the day will come when our Republic will be an impossibility. It will be impossibility because wealth will be concentrated in the hands of a few. A republic cannot stand upon bayonets, and when that day comes, when the wealth of the nation will be in the hands of a few, then we must rely upon the wisdom of the best elements in the country to readjust the laws of the nation to the changed conditions."

4. The national debt. $37 TRILLION and counting. We pay over $900 billion in interest payments on that debt every year. We are running up a horrific credit card debt on our children and future generations. America's credit rating has been downgraded by three major financial firms because of that debt, which undercuts our economy.

5. Global warming. This should be number one, but sadly our government is so twisted now that the other four items take priority. But not addressing global warming will cost billions if not trillions due to drought, intense storms, rising energy demands and costs and, sadly, many, many people will lose their homes to climate change and many others will lose their lives.

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

I sometimes think that 3 or 4 years might be a better length. That would give a representative more time to effect change without having to deal with running for office again. It seems that members of the House are constantly in re-election mode, trying to score points instead of focusing on governing. I realize it might mean we're stuck with a poor representative for a longer time, but hopefully we can make better voting decisions.

I also think reducing the number of election cycles is a good idea. It would allow us to focus on good government and the issues that we face and less on the political bloodsport our elections have become.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I used to be opposed to term limits because I thought if there were a "good" elected official, we should be able to keep electing that person. But now I've come to believe people can become compromised by serving too long in government, or at least serving in the same office. People who make a career out of politics tend to want to continue that career by getting re-elected. If the desire to get re-elected is too strong, they will avoid making an unpopular decision, even if they know it's the right thing to do. If I'm elected, I would serve no more than three terms and will always make decisions based on what I think is right. If I'm not re-elected because of that, then that's fine. I'll get to go back to enjoying my happy private life with my wife and family.

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

James Madison, representative from Virginia in the very first Congress. When in doubt, refer to Madison!

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 man and wife who live in Levittown, where I grew up. They're naturalized American citizens of Mexican descent. They described how people in the Hispanic community are afraid now, that they no longer feel they're part of America, that they're unwelcome. They talked about how a community soccer league was disbanded for fear of ICE raids, and how they're often profiled based on the color of their skin or their accent. They told me how Donald Trump getting elected again made them fear for the future of America as a free country, at least for non-white people.

This makes me sick that American citizens are made to feel this way. These are good people, good citizens who work hard and have built a life here. And a twisted, race-baiting demagogue like Donald Trump and his zealots have made them feel this way. The President of the United States did this. I hate that it's happened here.

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

Compromise is usually necessary, especially when we have a more balanced government. But when one party controls the Presidency, the Senate, the House and the Supreme Court, and those elected officials put party loyalty over sound government, then compromise goes out the window.

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?

We have to address our national debt. So I would use this authority to cut funding to stupid, cruel programs like the expansion of ICE and deporting undocumented people who've live here peacefully and contributed to our economy. I would also use this authority to refocus revenue raising on the ultra-rich, and relieve the tax burden on low-middle income Americans. Also, I would work to take back the power to impose tariffs from the President. His use of them has been ridiculous and stupid.

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

Personally, I'd like to see Congress have oversight of investigative powers, but not directly involved with them. Too often this power is used to try to damage a member of the other party. Often times there are public interrogations where members of Congress try scoring points with clever sound bites and getting face time on TV or other media instead of really investigating.

So perhaps there can be an independent agency under control of the Judiciary - NOT the Presidency – that can be instructed by Congress to investigate on their behalf.

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

A big role. AI Already is having a huge impact on our economy. The control and manipulation of data is one of the most potent weapons of the 21st century. And concerns about AI causing catastrophes need to be taken very seriously.

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

I believe there is already legislation proposed on this, but here's what needs to change:

1. Severely restrict or eliminate donations so citizens of average income can have equal free speech in our elections. Only a human being who is a United States citizen can donate to a candidate, PAC or SuperPAC, and only $50/year maximum.

2. Better yet, publicly fund financing for qualifying federal candidates. Those running for congress or president would no longer be allowed to build up “war chests.” Instead, they would have to meet a threshold amount of verified citizen’s signatures to qualify for taxpayer-funded campaign grants. All qualifying candidates would get the same amount, so well-heeled candidates won’t be able to overpower opponents by outspending them. Doing this will save us money because elected officials would no longer be allowed to accept donations from billionaire donors or PACs. They’ll have to learn to stay within the budget of their grants. And we won’t be bothered by politicians asking for money. A win-win!

3. End gerrymandering. Independent commission or enact what fairvote.org has proposed.

4. End the electoral college. Popular vote should elect our President. It's unfair that votes cast in the least populated states have up to 3.5 times the voting power as people in large population states.