Software company owner Ron Rushing is an underdog in the 2012 U.S. Senate race. But the Windermere Republican is looking to gain some attention by standing strong for conservative principles.
Like former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, who is also running in the primary, this week Rushing signed the "Contract From America." It pledges that a candidate will back smaller government, repeal the federal health-care law, and lower taxes. The contract is being pushed by FreedomWorks and former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey. Myriads of conservative candidates backed the contract in the 2010 cycle, including Mike Lee, Jim DeMint, Tom Coburn and Sharon Angle.
I am encouraged by the remnant of people in America who have not forgotten what it means to be an American, noted Rushing on Wednesday. I have proudly signed the 'Contract from America' and consider it an honor and privilege to have done so.
Rushing added that he would back the Fair Tax, gut the EPA, reduce regulations on business, push to end foreign aid, slash federal spending across the board by 5 percent, use the armed forces to secure America from illegal immigration, and repeal the federal health-care law backed by President Barack Obama.
My entry into the U.S. Senate race in 2012 is an attempt to break the mold on the type of people we send to Washington, D.C., insisted Rushing. We must halt the concept that only career politicians -- who are more concerned about their self-preservation and their next book deal -- are the only qualified candidates to lead the country. We must return to the concept that our Founding Fathers intended: that citizen legislators govern our great country, not career politicians."
Rushing, owner of Channel Parrity Inc., is originally from Fernandina Beach. He insists his background in business will help him deal with the sluggish economy.
He says, We must elect citizens who have a great appreciation for, and a practical knowledge of, entrepreneurship; who have exceptional leadership abilities with a common-sense approach to solutions.
"I am a small-business owner who is more concerned about solving problems for present and future generations than getting re-elected. I have been the CEO, the CTO, and the director of human resources of my company. I have created jobs, managed every client relationship, and administered all the employee health care and retirement plans. I stand up and face giant problems every day, not kicking them down the road for someone else to handle.
"Business owners gain experience identifying problems, prioritizing the problems, developing solutions for the problems, implementing those solutions and assigning the right resources to eradicate the problems. If elected, this is the experience that I have and will take with me to Washington, D.C.
Rushing played up the fact that he is not a career politician and he promises to turn down benefits and push for term limits.
If elected, I commit that I will not take the senatorial medical, dental, or vision plan and will reduce my senatorial staff budget by 5 percent, he pledged. Additionally, I plan to work closely with Senator Jim DeMint to pass term limits that will place a 12-year limit in either chamber (House and Senate).
Rushing is a dark horse in a crowded field of Republican candidates. Other Republican candidates running to take on incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson include former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, state Senate President Mike Haridopolos, Hasner, businessman and retired Army officer Mike McCalister who ran for governor in 2010, former congressional candidate Bill Fisher, businessman and former congressional candidate Ron McNeil, and physician Mirand Sharma. Republicans still considering entering the race include U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, businessman Craig Miller who ran for Congress back in 2010, and businessman Nick Loeb who ran for the Legislature in 2010.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
