U.S. House, District 5

Don Garlits

The Candidate
Party: Republican
Age: 62
Home: Dunnellon
Education: Graduated Hillsborough High School, 1950
Work experience: Self-employed, Don Garlits Inc. since 1956 (Don's Speed Shop); Garlits Automotive Inc., 1959. (Changed name in 1966).
Community service: Participated in numerous outreach programs as a celebrity. Also has served as a celebrity U.S. Armed Forces recruiter.
1993 Income: $98,991, salary; at least $90,000 in reported celebrity endorsements since 1993; additional money from a variety of business and property investments.
The Issues
Q: Though Congress didn't pass a health-care bill this session, where do you stand on the issue? Do you feel like the nation needs health reform? What are the key components, in your opinion, to a viable reform plan?
A: We do not have a health-care crisis in this country. We do have a need to make coverage available to all persons who want to take it and are willing to pay for it. Any national health care program must be handled by the private sector. We do not need the federal government running that program. The program that most closely fits my vision of health care would be the Dole plan.

Q: Do you support or oppose bans on assault weapons?
A: I do not favor the ban on assault weapons. The Constitution gives each citizen the right to bear arms. There is no exception to that rule.

Q: At what point should the U.S.military get involved in humanitarian aid in other countries? At what point should the military be used to restore or build a democracy in another country?
A: The United States should not use its military for humanitarian aid in other countries. Only in very limited situations should the United States use its force to impose a type of government on another country.

Q: What concrete actions can be done to expedite a reduction in the national debt?
A: Fiscal responsibility must return to government. I believe the budget can and must be balanced. We have to make the hard decisions for fiscal sanity. Wasteful federal spending must be eliminated and the overall size of the federal agencies must be dramatically cut.

Q: Should the United States take an active, leading role in protecting the international environment, such as rain forests?
A: No. Other countries around the world must take responsibility for the damage that they do to their environment.

Q: Immigration continues to seriously affect Florida and its residents. What would you do to improve the obvious problem that strains both state and national resources?
A: Immigration is a federal problem. Immigration into this country should be limited each year to the amount of persons that we can find jobs for. The problem of immigration should not be a problem for just a few areas of the country.

Q: What is your stance on abortion? Do you support federal prosecution of those who advocate violence in the anti-abortion or pro-life arena?
A: I am personally opposed to abortion. I do favor the Hyde amendment (an exisiting law that prohibits federal spending for abortions) except in the cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother. I do not believe that abortion coverage should be included in any health-care program.

Click for data on opponent: Karen Thurman

For a story about this race, click on Sun Story

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