Tony D'Arrigo

Tony D'Arrigo was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and was raised in Brigantine, New Jersey. He moved to Tampa, Florida, in 2014. He earned a high school diploma from Atlantic City High School. His career experience includes working as a hospitality business management consultant. He is the owner and operator of Two Step Entertainment.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Candidate Tony D’Arrigo is a community‑driven, future‑focused leader who blends hospitality expertise, tech experience, and small‑business grit.

As the owner-operator behind Two Step Entertainment, Tony has worked closely with everyday creators—gamers, musicians, podcasters, artists, and influencers—who are trying to build sustainable livelihoods in a volatile economy. He’s seen firsthand how access, opportunity, and fair systems can transform lives.

Professionally, Tony is a Hospitality Business Management Consultant who helps build and strengthen hospitality businesses across the country—from small independent operators to large multi-location concepts. He understands staffing, margins, guest experience, and what it really takes to keep doors open and people employed.

Tony is:

A builder, not just a critic– he’s launched platforms and helped turn around real businesses.

A champion of working families, creators, and hospitality workers– those most exposed to economic shocks.

A practical, tech‑savvy problem solver – focused on systems that actually work, not slogans.

Community‑first– he believes strong neighborhoods are built around local businesses, gathering spaces, and youth leadership.

A listener and collaborator- used to taking feedback from guests, staff, owners, and users, then turning it into action.

Tony D’Arrigo is someone who understands both the pressures people face and the power of community to meet those challenges

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?

Real Healthcare Security & Protecting Our Entitlements

I will fight to restore the $500B cut from Medicare and $900B cut from Medicaid—and protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for every senior and working family. My goal is universal healthcare: guaranteed coverage for all, caps on costs tied to income, and no more benefit cliffs or surprise bills. Every child gets free healthcare, every senior keeps what they earned, and no American goes bankrupt because they got sick. Healthcare is a right—not a privilege.Restoring the American Dream: Fair Money, Fair Markets, Fair Chance

I’ll take on predatory lenders, abusive auto practices, and a broken credit system that punishes working people. That means capping interest rates, cleaning up credit reporting, honest car pricing, and government‑backed mortgages at fair rates when banks won’t do their job. I’ll push to eliminate federal income tax for households under $75K, so families keep more of what they earn. The American Dream should be reachable for workers—not just investors and the well‑connected.Power Back to the People: Clean Energy, Honest Government, True Conservatism

I’ll end subsidies for big oil and redirect them to clean, affordable energy—wind, water, and solar on public land—so electricity and EVs are truly within reach for working families. I’ll run a campaign free from dark money and harmful lobbyists, and I’ll govern as a constitutional conservative: limited government in your personal life, strong regulation on corporate abuse. Every decision, every vote, will be for my constituents and all Americans—not for special interests.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My top public policy passion is protecting and transforming healthcare and entitlements for working families and seniors. I will fight to restore the $500B cut from Medicare and $900B cut from Medicaid, increase Social Security, and lower the retirement age so people can actually enjoy the retirement they earned. I support universal healthcare with guaranteed coverage for all, caps on costs tied to income, full coverage of essential and mental health care, free healthcare for every child, and free school meals. Healthcare and entitlements are not privileges—they are rights we must defend and strengthen.

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

I look up to Bernie Sanders.

I respect Bernie because he’s been saying the same thing for decades: government should work for working people, not billionaires and big corporations. He’s been consistently fighting for Medicare for All, protecting Social Security and Medicare, raising wages, and taking on predatory corporate behavior long before those ideas were popular.

What I’d like to model from his example is:

His moral clarity on economic justice and healthcare as a right.

His willingness to stand up to both parties when they forget working families.

His refusal to be bought by corporate money or lobbyists.

Like Bernie, I want to be a representative who never forgets where I came from, who I work for, and who I’m fighting for.

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

Integrity & Honesty

Tells the truth, even when it’s inconvenient.

Keeps promises or explains clearly why something changed.

Transparent about money, influences, and decision-making.

Accountability to the People (Not Donors)

Remembers they work for constituents, not lobbyists.

Welcomes oversight, tough questions, and criticism.

Admits mistakes and corrects course instead of doubling down.

Empathy & Lived Understanding

Understands what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck, deal with medical bills, or face unfair systems.

Listens deeply to people’s stories and lets those stories shape policy priorities.

Courage & Independence

Willing to stand up to their own party, donors, or powerful interests when they’re wrong.

Takes tough votes to protect people, not to protect a career.

Competence & Work Ethic

Actually reads bills, understands policy tradeoffs, and does the homework.

Shows up prepared, on time, and follows through on constituent needs.

Problem-Solving Mindset

Focuses on “How do we fix this?” rather than “Who can we blame?”

Looks for practical, workable solutions instead of slogans.

Respect for the Constitution & Rule of Law

Defends rights and liberties consistently, not selectively.

Uses government to protect people from abuse, not to control their private lives.

Consistency & Principle

Has clear values and applies them the same way, regardless of who is affected.

Doesn’t flip positions just because the political wind changes.

Communication & Accessibility

Explains complex issues in plain language.

Holds town halls, answers emails, and stays reachable.

Humility & Service

Sees the job as service, not status.

Gives credit to others, shares wins with the community, and doesn’t need to be the hero in every story.

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

1. Legislate

Members of Congress write, sponsor, debate, amend, and vote on laws that affect the entire country. They help shape the federal budget, decide how tax dollars are spent, and serve on committees that focus on specific areas like healthcare, veterans’ affairs, education, transportation, or national security. Most real work happens in these committees, where bills are examined in detail before reaching the House floor.

2. Represent Their District

A Congressman is the voice of the people in their district. That means listening to constituents through town halls, meetings, calls, emails, and community events—and then reflecting those needs, values, and priorities in every vote and policy position. They are expected to stand up for their district’s interests, even when that means pushing back on party leadership or powerful special interests.

3. Constituent Services (Casework)

One of the most important but least talked‑about responsibilities is helping individuals navigate the federal government. That includes assisting with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, veterans’ benefits, IRS issues, immigration cases, passports, and more. A good Congressman has a strong district office that answers calls, solves problems, and makes sure people aren’t lost in bureaucracy.

4. Oversight & Accountability

Congress has a constitutional duty to oversee the executive branch and federal agencies. Through hearings, investigations, and committee work, a Congressman helps ensure laws are being followed, taxpayer money is used properly, and abuse, corruption, or waste are exposed and corrected. This is how Congress checks and balances presidential power and the federal bureaucracy.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I’d like my legacy to be simple and measurable:

That I made life meaningfully better for working people, seniors, and kids—not in speeches, but in laws passed and problems solved.

I want to leave behind:

Stronger healthcare and entitlements that people can actually rely on—Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security protected and expanded, with a real path toward universal healthcare.

Fairer financial rules that stop predatory lenders, abusive auto practices, and rigged credit systems from destroying families who are just trying to get by.

Real relief for working families—from taxes, from medical debt, from impossible housing and energy costs.

And just as important, I want people in my district to be able to say:

“He listened. He told us the truth. He didn’t sell out. He fought for us every single day—and we could feel the difference.”

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

The first major historical event I clearly remember is September 11, 2001. I was 16 years old. I remember watching the footage in shock, seeing people running through the streets and realizing, maybe for the first time, how vulnerable and connected we all are. It was a moment when the world suddenly felt smaller and more serious.

A few years later, the 2008 financial crash hit just as I was becoming an adult. That crisis showed me how decisions made on Wall Street and in Washington can devastate working families who did nothing wrong. Those two events together shaped how I see public service: government has a responsibility to protect people, not abandon them in times of crisis.

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

My very first jobs were as a baker and a landscaper, mowing lawns in my neighborhood when I was 13. I was up before sunrise helping in a bakery, then pushing a mower in the New Jersey to earn extra money. Those early jobs taught me the value of hard work, showing up on time, and doing the job right even when no one is watching. They also gave me a lifelong respect for the people who keep our communities running—workers who break a sweat every day just to make ends meet.

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

I’d choose Captain America (Steve Rogers).

Not because of the shield or the strength, but because of what he represents: someone who starts out small and underestimated, but refuses to back down when something is wrong. He’s loyal to people and principles—not parties, not politicians, not whoever happens to be in charge. When the system goes off the rails, he doesn’t just “follow orders”; he stands up and says, “No, this isn’t right.”

That’s the kind of backbone I believe an elected official should have: country over party, people over power, and the courage to stand their ground even when they’re outnumbered.

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

One of the biggest struggles in my life has been living on the edge financially while also battling serious health issues, including cancer.

Like millions of Americans, I’ve lived paycheck to paycheck. An unexpected bill or a spike in utilities wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was a crisis. Then cancer hit. Overnight, “normal” stress turned into survival mode. Even with treatment, I had to worry not just about staying alive, but about how to pay for it, how to keep up with bills, and how not to drown in medical debt.

That combination—financial strain and a life‑threatening illness—changes how you see everything. It’s why I’m so focused on:

Protecting and expanding Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security

Making universal, affordable healthcare a reality

Cracking down on predatory lending and abusive credit practices

I’m not looking at these issues from a distance. I’ve lived them in my body, in my bank account, and in my family.

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

The U.S. House of Representatives is unique in several key ways that shape how it works and who it’s supposed to serve:

Closest to the People

House members represent smaller districts, not whole states.

They run for re‑election every two years, so they’re constantly accountable to voters.

This makes the House the chamber most directly tied to public opinion and everyday concerns.

Power of the Purse

The Constitution requires that revenue and spending bills originate in the House.

That gives the House a special role in taxes, budgets, and how federal money is raised and spent.

Size and Diversity of Voices

With 435 voting members, the House is much larger than the Senate.

That means more ideological, regional, racial, and economic diversity—and a wider range of viewpoints and constituencies.

Majoritarian and Fast‑Moving

The House runs on strict rules and majority control.

The majority party can move legislation quickly, set the agenda, and control which bills get a vote.

It’s designed to be more responsive and dynamic than the Senate.

Investigative and Oversight Power

House committees (Oversight, Judiciary, Ways and Means, etc.) have strong subpoena and investigative powers.

They play a central role in exposing waste, fraud, abuse, and holding the executive branch accountable.

The House alone has the power to impeach federal officials.

Institutional Role in Democracy

The House is meant to be the “people’s house”—the most democratic, frequently refreshed, and locally rooted part of the federal government.

It’s where national policy is supposed to collide with real‑world district needs and lived experience.

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

Experience in government or politics can be beneficial—but it shouldn’t be a requirement, and it’s not the most important qualification.

Here’s the honest breakdown:

Why experience can help:

Knows how the system works: committees, procedure, budgets, agencies.

Can be more effective, faster—less time “learning the ropes.”

Understands how to build coalitions and get bills actually passed, not just proposed.

Why it’s not everything:

Longtime insiders can become disconnected from real life—especially working families living paycheck to paycheck.

“Experience” can sometimes mean experience serving donors, lobbyists, and party bosses instead of constituents.

Fresh voices with real-world experience (small business, healthcare, military, teaching, hospitality, etc.) often understand people’s problems better than career politicians.

My view:

Relevant experience matters—but that can be in business, community work, organizing, or public service, not just elected office.

The best representatives combine real-world lived experience with a willingness to learn the mechanics of government quickly.

What matters most is integrity, work ethic, and who you’re actually fighting for—not how many years you’ve spent in politics.

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

The United States’ biggest challenge over the next 10 years is whether we can rebuild a fair, stable economy for working people while our systems are under strain from three forces at once: rising costs, broken trust in government, and rapid technological change.

Those pressures show up in concrete ways:

Economic insecurity for working families

Wages that don’t keep up with housing, healthcare, and energy

Predatory lending, unstable credit, and debt traps

A shrinking path to real middle‑class security (savings, homeownership, retirement)

A healthcare and entitlement system under stress

Rising healthcare costs and gaps in coverage

Political attacks on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security

An aging population that will need more care and support, not less

Collapse of trust in institutions and democracy

Polarization and disinformation

A sense that government works for corporations and lobbyists, not people

Gridlock that blocks real solutions on housing, healthcare, climate, and wages

Technology and automation reshaping work

Gig and contract work replacing stable jobs

AI and automation changing entire industries before laws catch up

A benefits system still built for a 1950s workforce

All of this adds up to one core question:

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

I think two years is a mixed bag—but ultimately the right length, as long as we fix how campaigns work.

Why two years makes sense:

It keeps representatives constantly accountable. If they stop listening or go Washington‑insider, voters can replace them quickly.

The House is meant to be the “people’s house”—fast‑moving, responsive to changing needs, not insulated from public opinion.

What’s wrong with the current setup:

With nonstop fundraising and campaigning, many members spend too much time dialing for dollars and too little time governing.

Short terms can encourage short‑term thinking instead of long‑term solutions.

My view:

Yes, two years is acceptable and true to the Constitution’s design, but we must reform the system around it:

Reduce the influence of big money and dark money.

Make campaigns shorter, cheaper, and more transparent.

Strengthen ethics and accountability so members spend their time serving, not fundraising.

The problem isn’t the two‑year term—it’s who representatives feel accountable to. That’s what needs to change.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Term limits sound good on paper—but in reality, they weaken voters’ power and strengthen lobbyists, party bosses, and unelected insiders.

I oppose term limits for Congress because elections are the real term limits. Voters should decide who stays and who goes—not Washington think tanks or constitutional gimmicks. If a member stops serving their district, the people already have the power to fire them at the ballot box.

Term limits would:

Force out effective, experienced legislators who know how to write laws, navigate committees, and deliver for their districts.

Hand more power to unelected staff, lobbyists, and bureaucrats, who stay in Washington long after term‑limited members are gone.

Reduce accountability, because short-timers with guaranteed exit dates have less incentive to answer to voters.

Instead of term limits, I support:

Tougher ethics rules and transparency

Banning dark money and reining in lobbyist influence

Making it easier for challengers to run and be heard

The solution isn’t to limit voters’ choices—it’s to clean up the system so voters’ choices actually matter.

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

I wouldn’t model myself on just one person, but on the best qualities of a few very different leaders:

Bernie Sanders – Moral clarity and persistence

Someone who never stops fighting for working people, seniors, and the poor—even when it’s unpopular or inconvenient. I respect his consistency on healthcare, Social Security, and economic fairness.

Elizabeth Warren – Taking on corporate abuse

Her focus on predatory lending, broken credit systems, and consumer protection is exactly the kind of toughness we need against banks, auto lenders, and big finance that exploit working families.

Dwight D. Eisenhower / “Old-school Republicans” – Duty and restraint

A model of constitutional conservatism: limited government in people’s private lives, strong oversight of corporate power, and a sense of duty over partisanship or personal ego.

I’d aim to combine their strengths:

Sanders’ commitment to ordinary people, Warren’s focus on fair markets and consumer protection, and Eisenhower’s sense of responsibility, restraint, and country over party.

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?

One story that stays with me is from a woman I’ll call Maria, a middle‑aged caregiver in my district who takes care of both her elderly mother and her young grandson.

Maria works full‑time in hospitality, but her hours swing week to week. Her mother relies on Medicare and a small Social Security check. Her grandson gets school lunches, but they still struggle to keep food on the table when rent and utilities spike. Then her mother had a medical emergency. Even with Medicare, the ambulance, hospital stay, and follow‑ups left them thousands of dollars in debt. Maria told me, “I did everything right. I worked. I paid my taxes. I took care of my family. And one bad month almost ended us.”

What hit me wasn’t just the numbers—it was the way she said she felt “punished for being poor and responsible at the same time.” That conversation crystallized a lot of what I’m running on: protecting and expanding Medicare and Social Security, making healthcare truly affordable and universal, ending predatory lending, and building a system where one medical crisis or one bad loan can’t destroy a family that’s doing everything they can to stay afloat.

Maria’s story isn’t unique—and that’s exactly why it matters so much.

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

Yes—compromise is both necessary and desirable for policymaking, as long as you never compromise on core values or people’s basic rights.

In a country as big and diverse as the United States, no one gets 100% of what they want. Durable laws that actually last usually come from negotiation, not from one side ramming everything through. Without compromise, you get:

Gridlock and performative politics instead of solutions

Constant swings in policy every time power changes hands

Deepening division and distrust

But not all compromise is good. There are red lines that should not be crossed:

You don’t compromise on whether people deserve basic dignity, equal rights, or the right to vote.

You don’t trade away protections for seniors, children, or working families just to “get a deal.”

You don’t sell out your constituents to satisfy lobbyists or party bosses.

So the honest answer:

Yes, I believe in compromise to move the country forward—on details, timelines, and methods.

No, I will not compromise on core principles: protecting healthcare and entitlements, defending constitutional rights, fighting corruption and dark money, and making sure policy serves people, not special interests.

Compromise on how we help people—not on whether we help them.

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?

The House’s power to originate revenue bills is exactly where my priorities would have real teeth, because it’s where we decide who pays, who benefits, and whether the system is fair.

If elected, I’d use that power to:

Protect and strengthen Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security

Any tax or revenue bill I support must protect and fund our entitlements—not starve them. No “backdoor cuts” through budgets. I’d push revenue structures that guarantee long‑term stability for seniors and working families.

Shift the burden off working families

I support eliminating federal income tax for households under $75,000 and making sure billionaires, large corporations, and predatory industries finally pay their fair share. Revenue bills should lighten the load on people living paycheck to paycheck, not add to it.

Fund real priorities: healthcare, housing, and clean energy

I’d use the House’s revenue power to redirect money away from waste, corporate welfare, and harmful subsidies (like giveaways to big oil) and toward universal healthcare, affordable housing, fair lending systems, and clean, affordable energy.

Demand transparency and honesty in budgeting

No more hiding cuts or giveaways in fine print. I’d push for clear, plain‑language explanations of who pays and who benefits in every major revenue bill, so constituents can see exactly what’s being done in their name.

In short, I’d treat the House’s revenue power as the main lever to protect working families, fund our promises, and stop Washington from balancing the budget on the backs of seniors and the poor.

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

The House’s investigative power is one of its most important tools—and it should be used to protect the public, not to score partisan points.

Here’s how I believe it should be used:

Expose corruption, waste, and abuse of power

Investigate when taxpayer money is misused, when agencies fail the people they serve, or when corporations cheat, defraud, or endanger the public.

No one—presidents, CEOs, or agencies—should be above scrutiny.

Protect everyday Americans, not special interests

Use hearings to shine a light on predatory lending, abusive auto and credit practices, healthcare denials, and corporate behavior that hurts working families, seniors, and children.

Put real people at the witness table, not just lobbyists and lawyers.

Strengthen laws and fix broken systems

Investigations should lead to better policy: closing loopholes, tightening protections, and making programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and child welfare actually work as intended.

The goal isn’t just blame—it’s solutions.

Be fair, fact‑driven, and transparent

Subpoena power should never be used as a political weapon or for personal vendettas.

Follow evidence, respect due process, and make findings public so Americans can see the truth for themselves.

In short, the House should use its investigative powers to hold the powerful accountable, protect taxpayers and vulnerable people, and improve the systems we all depend on—not to stage partisan theater.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I’m proud that I’ve been able to keep building and helping others even while battling cancer and living paycheck to paycheck.

Despite health scares, financial strain, and all the reasons to give up or play it safe, I’ve stayed in the fight—working in hospitality, helping build businesses, and now stepping up to run for Congress. For me, the accomplishment isn’t a title or an award; it’s that I didn’t let hardship turn me bitter or silent.

Instead, I turned those experiences into a mission: to fix the systems that fail people like me—on healthcare, lending, housing, and basic economic security—and to speak up for folks who don’t have the time or energy to fight the government and their bills at the same time.

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

The federal government should treat artificial intelligence the way it should have treated big finance and big tech from the start: enable innovation, but aggressively protect people from abuse.

I’d frame the role in four parts:

Set Guardrails, Not Micromanagement

Create clear national rules for safety, transparency, data use, and accountability.

Require companies to test AI systems for bias, accuracy, and harm—especially in lending, hiring, policing, healthcare, and housing.

If an AI system denies you a loan, job, or benefit, you should have the right to know why and to appeal to a human.

Protect Workers and Consumers

Study and anticipate job disruption, and fund retraining, education, and transition support for workers whose jobs are automated.

Ban or strictly limit AI uses that are inherently abusive: mass surveillance of citizens, deepfake election manipulation, predatory ad targeting of vulnerable people, and exploitative lending or pricing algorithms.

Use AI to Improve Public Services, Not Replace Humans

Deploy AI to make government more efficient—cut red tape, detect fraud, speed up benefits—while keeping humans in charge of final decisions that affect rights, freedom, and livelihood.

Never let AI become an excuse to deny people due process or human review.

Keep Power Out of a Few Hands

Prevent a handful of corporations from owning all the critical AI infrastructure and data.

Support open standards, research, and competition so innovation benefits the public, not just a few CEOs and shareholders.

Bottom line:

The government’s role in AI should be to protect rights, prevent abuse, and make sure this technology serves people—workers, families, and communities—not the other way around.

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

I’d focus on legislation that makes our elections secure, simple, and fair—without making it harder for anyone to vote. Here’s what I’d push:

National Voting Standards (Floor, Not Ceiling)

Automatic voter registration (opt‑out, not opt‑in).

Same‑day registration and easy address updates.

At least 2 weeks of early voting, including evenings and weekends.

No‑excuse vote‑by‑mail available to every voter.

Election Security & Transparency

Paper ballots or voter‑verified paper trails for every vote.

Routine, risk‑limiting audits after each federal election.