Tom Lewellen

Tom Lewellen (independent) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Arizona's 6th Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the general election on November 3, 2020.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Tom Lewellen has been the Executive Director of CIVIL Governance, a new political party for the last year. It become apparent that both political parties have so much venom for one another that getting any work done is a is all but impossible, and producing any major initiative is impossible.

Big money is directing our nation to the status quo, defined by the rich, the top 100 contributors of which gave $790 million in 2018. They are buying influence, and frankly, the rich do not need help getting richer. They write the laws and our vote or $10 donation won't buy a vowel. We need a new choice and CIVIL is precisely that.

The mission of this new party is to promote five transformational solutions that both parties should find attractive. These include proposals to fix our retirement systems so they are financially sustainable, provide inner city parents with the same education options that rich parents get in the super zips, and simplification of regulation and government scope to make government more understandable. Out $4.5 trillion dollar enterprise in Washington D.C. is so out of control, our trust in government is severely sagging.

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?

Make of retirement system financially stable with the CIVIL 501k. This solution not only produced $100 trillion is person savings/investment, had this solution been used over the last fifty years a lifetime minimum wage worked would have $100,000 to improve their retirement years.CIVIL $195 pledge. CIVIL will take no large donations but we will ask all candidates across the nation to take the CIVIL Pledge for no big money.The sheer complexity of our government is hampering our growth and creating anger and animus. Eighty percent of Americans distrust our government. CIVIL is proposing a Chief Simplicity Officer to be part of the CBO to be a sanity check of out of control legislation.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The United States has to put it self in a much better position to compete with China's plan to kick America to the curb of the next 30 years. Instead of growing at 2% or 3%, the US needs to grow at 4% to 5%. Given this pace of growth the US will stay in parity with China assuring they won't outspend America for buying friends and enforcing international policy with their military.

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

Federalism 2.0

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

Curiosity and great problem-solving skills.

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

In the 21st century, to update how we do the business of the American people by simplifying the unbelievably complex, expensive results government that was created last century.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That CIVIL creates healthier political environment that leads to a significantly simpler government that products vastly better results for the American people.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Catch 22. Wonderfully written book, with great characters.

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

It's the People's House and possesses the power to provide great change when needed.

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

In the 21st Century, doing business or politics the way we did it last century produces solutions that were good for last century.

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

Our competition with China

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

Social Security, Medicare, Technology and Science

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

Yes.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

It's better to vote the person out. Term limits simply force the voter to elect a new person with the same political identity. It doesn't change the politics only the person.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

I would rather effect change outside leadership.

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