Robert People

Robert People was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He served in the U.S. Army from 1997 to 2018. He graduated from Parkville High School and attended the University Of Maryland Global Campus. His career experience includes working as a writer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am 46 years old and a retired Army veteran. I served for 21 years and am running for Congress because I want to continue public service. I have spoken many times over the years about the changes that need to happen in this country and I no longer want to remain on the sidelines. I want to be part of the solution.

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 want to protect Social Security. However, I want to do more than simply say this. I want to propose that full amounts be returned to rightful owners. At this point, the government cannot be trusted with this money, and we need to give the funds back to whom they belong.I want to propose placing more attention on women's reproductive and health rights. I want to start by reversing the harmful policies in place, especially regarding abortion. Also, women have such problems when dealing with medical issues and I want to propose fixing these issues so women are not be treated or viewed as men (since we are the default for just about everything).I want to propose increasing teacher salaries nationwide. It will start with District 15, and I will focus on the county school budgets to shift funds from wasteful spending to paying teachers what they deserve.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Social Security, women's reproductive and health rights, requiring ICE agents to identify themselves FULLY and to treat detainees as human beings (unlike what is taking place now), proposing the destruction of the "Alligator Alley" detention facility that is set to start July 2025, proposing amendments to the Constitution to allow the President of the United States to be held accountable for behavior by means OTHER than from Congress, as the majority of its members voted for the president, and this is a serious conflict of interest. These are just some of what I would like to tackle when I am in office.

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

I look up to former President Barack Obama. He did an amazing job as president, and I admire his excellent ability to communicate consistently in just about any setting.

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

Nothing at this time. I am reading several books at the moment including "Invisible Women" and "A Promised Land."

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

Integrity, Accountability, and Transparency

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

My passion to care about people, as evidenced in my serving in the Army for 21 years, would serve me best in office, especially as the people are who I will be working for.

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

Keeping constituents informed and remembering that we work for them, NOT the president. Proposing legislation that helps citizens. Holding ourselves and our colleagues accountable.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave people with a full and complete understanding that we as members of Congress truly work for them. I want people to return to the feeling of a representative who is truly here for them and not lobbyists, PACs, or the president.

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

While many historical events happened in my childhood, the first one that I actually heard of as it happened was the fall of the Berlin wall.

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

Wendy's. I worked there for nearly two years as a teenager before joining the Army.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I am currently enjoying "Invisible Women" by Caroline Criado Perez.

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

"Dance with Me" from Peter Brown.

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

A major struggle for me is caring too much for others to where I eventually overwhelm myself by trying so hard at times.

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

We can propose legislation on a federal level to affect all citizens nationwide.

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

No, because the majority of those in office now have experience and things are a hot mess. Public office was once intended for everyday/working class folks to run, but since money has become such a huge part of politics, it has become difficult for everyday folks to run.

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

Removing all the personnel connected to the Trump administration from any government offices.

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

No, I feel this should be extended to three years.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I am in favor of term limits.

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

Jasmine Crockett. She is unapologetically herself and knows her job. She also does not engage in the so-called "political speak." She ultimately speaks her mind and is truly a representation of our community.

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 woman shared a story with me recently where she was experiencing a medical issue, and she was treated as practically second-class. Because this was an issue that only women experienced and it was clear that the doctor lacked experience, this was stressful for this woman and led her to cry. At one point, she stated that she was told to stop crying or the doctor would not continue with the visit. This is largely why I want to do more about women's health and how women are treated.

Tell us your favorite joke.

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

Yes, in many cases, this is the only way we can create policies that help all people involved.

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 look at our spending and properly identify fraud, waste, and abuse, mainly for both Social Security and increasing teacher salaries, along with other areas as well.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

None at this time.

What committees interest you?

No committees at this time.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The government is doing a terrible job of not only spending, but with FULL transparency of how money is spent, and accountability is at an all-time low. Illegal acts happening constantly and nothing being done about it is unacceptable from our elected leaders.