TDA: Tell us about your career/background and how it relates to the position you’re seeking.

RB: Without my (Intel) familiarity with electronics, the legislative job would have been hard to understand. Just before my election to the House, I was a private investigator. It taught me quickly how the House works.

It’s the same principle as the regular business world: Follow the money!

TDA: What are your political qualifications?

RB: I was a precinct committeeman for about 20 years before being elected to office. I have always been an active Republican. I was elected to the House in 2003. At the beginning of my second term in 2005, I was chosen to serve as a committee chairman. I learn quickly and am a sponge for new information. This combination makes the legislative job perfect for me.

TDA: What are the biggest issues among constituents in your district and throughout the state, and how do you plan to address them?

RB: Illegal immigration, education, drug abuse and taxes.

We have to close the border. Unless we do that, the illegals are just going to come back after we kick them out. Going after employers is something else we should do. How can we hold the illegal immigrants responsible for breaking the law when we don’t hold others responsible?

Education. We gave teachers a raise, but they didn’t get all they should have because the Attorney General said administrators had to get an increase. I believe school administrators receive too big a percentage of the school budget. Schools pay too much for administration and create jobs for administrators.

Regarding drug abuse, we need to determine who has drug problems earlier. Let’s identify them while they are in school so we can get them help before they start committing crimes. We also need a better way of rating the rehabilitation programs. Right now they’re too politicized. We don’t know which ones are working and which ones aren’t.

Property and income taxes are priorities. We have to make certain property taxes are equitable. Because of the big increase in home values, residents are paying higher taxes. This year the legislature cut income taxes significantly. That’s good. The more money we give back to the consumer, the better it is for the economy.

TDA: Tell us why you should be chosen to represent your party in the general election rather than the other candidates from your party.

RB: I am a conservative, and District 7 is one of the most conservative districts in the state.

TDA: Are you running as a Clean Elections candidate?

RB: No, although I was for my first two terms. The problem I have with Clean Elections is that the rules are not applied consistently.

TDA: Tell us anything else voters should know about you or your views.

RB: I had a heart attack on the floor of the House in early June. I was legally dead, no pulse and no breathing. A 17‑year‑old page named Ashley Mazur hooked up a defibrilator to my chest and brought me back to life. I ended up having a quadruple bypass. This hasn’t changed my veiws, but it has given me a new purpose for living. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true: I’m now more determined than I have ever been in the past.

Reach the reporter at barry@thedesertadvocate.com.

TDA: Tell us about your career/background and how it relates to the position you’re seeking.

HS: I have worked as an independent agent and have a good feeling about what a business owner goes through trying to support a family and paying business insurance, taxes, compensating employees. Also, working as a financial advisor gave me a pretty good perspective on the concerns of individual families and their financial goals.

TDA: What are your political qualifications?

HS: I was chairman of No Transit Tax in 1997 and helped defeat the city transit tax that was being proposed for light rail.

I served as chairman for Dean Martin’s successful campaign for the state Senate in the 2000 election; campaign advisor for Ray Barnes in his 2002 campaign for the state House, and chairman of Rep. Barnes’ re‑election campaign in 2004. I have also served as second vice chairman in Legislative District 24.

TDA: What are the biggest issues among constituents in your district and throughout the state, and how do you plan to address them?

HS: The first concern is immigration issues. I’m for closing the borders, but not sold on using National Guard troops.

I would prefer to deploy law enforcement agencies, such as expanding the role of DPS. National Guard members are part‑time military, and they shouldn’t be distracted by monitoring the border.

Other issues are improving education to make sure we get better‑quality education, the price of gasoline and population growth.

TDA: Tell us why you should be chosen to represent your party in the general election rather than the other candidates from your party.

HS: I have experience as a Better Business arbitrator, and that has helped me to develop the ability to listen to both sides of an argument and reach a decision based on the information that has been given to me rather than on my own emotions. As a financial advisor, I listened to clients’ concerns. My whole background has been listening to concerns of others. If elected, I believe I can serve as a voter advocate.

TDA: Are you running as a Clean Elections candidate?

HS: I am running as a Clean Elections candidate. I believe that the use of Clean Election funds allows me, as a new candidate, the opportunity to compete  with incumbent candidates who would have access to political action committee and special interest money.

TDA: Tell us anything else voters should know about you or your views.

HS: I’m an openly conservative Republican, without any apologies. My service to the people will be based on my beliefs as a core conservative, and that includes less government intrusion in business