Survey of 2018 Senate campaign websites: on Budget & Economy


Bernie Sanders: Restructure debt so Puerto Rico can rebuild

Right now in Puerto Rico, the government is struggling with an unsustainable amount of debt. Rather than restructuring that debt in a way that protects the people of Puerto Rico, a small group of hedge fund billionaires are demanding extreme austerity policies that would decimate public services, including the firing of teachers and the closing of schools. It is unacceptable that these Wall Street investors will reap huge profits off the suffering and misery of the Puerto Rican people. These creditors must be forced to negotiate a debt repayment plan that is fair to both sides--the people of Puerto Rico deserve nothing less.

When people are suffering and hurting [in the aftermath of 2017's Hurricane Maria], you don't continue to squeeze them. We cannot allow Puerto Rico's budget to be balanced on the backs of the most vulnerable people--working families, veterans, the elderly, children and the poor. It is not only morally wrong, it is also economically unsustainable."

Source: 2018 Vermont Senate campaign website BernieSanders.com Nov 1, 2018

Lawrence Zupan: Build an opportunity economy, with growth for generations

Join our campaign to build an Opportunity Economy for Vermont and America--an economy with equal opportunity for everyone and the growth needed to build a strong foundation for generations to come. Lawrence Zupan is a lifetime observer of what works and what doesn't work in the political and governmental realm, informed by his business and educational background as an MBA. He negotiated trade contracts with the Chinese before it was fashionable.
Source: 2018 Vermont Senate campaign website ZupanForSenate.org Oct 9, 2018

Susan Hutchison: Tax cuts led the way to economic growth & more jobs

I would have voted FOR the historic tax cuts that have boosted our economy by giving working men and women real tax relief. The thriving economy has created more jobs, record low unemployment for African-Americans and Hispanics, and increased wages, which will lead to stronger tax revenues. Politicians who say they care about the poor and working class are disingenuous when they vote against economic growth. Lifting people out of economic despair can only be achieved when jobs are plentiful.
Source: 2018 Washington Senate campaign website Susan4Senate.com Aug 14, 2018

Ron Curtis: Balanced budget achievable: stop waste and reduce spending

Government is responsible to balance the budget by eliminating waste and reducing spending before raising taxes. Before any law or regulation is enacted, the economic impact should be calculated fairly and disclosed publicly. Government should not burden future generations with excessive debt.
Source: 2018 Hawaii Senate campaign website RonCurtis808.com Aug 8, 2018

Mike Braun: Don't pay politicians if they can't pass a budget

Washington's out of control spending must be stopped. The big spending politicians from both parties are mortgaging our future. Due to their failures to get serious about budget deficits, the national debt stands at more than $20 trillion. It's time to force Washington politicians to get their fiscal house in order by reining in spending and balancing the budget. To ensure Congress gets this done, there should be no pay for politicians if Washington does not pass a budget.
Source: 2018 Indiana Senate campaign website MikeBraunForIndiana.com May 3, 2018

Gene Truono: Government spending must have accountability & transparency

Gene supports accountability and transparency with all government spending. He will work on legislation targeting fraud and abuse while seeking to hold government agencies accountable on budgets and performance.
Source: 2018 Delaware Senate campaign website VoteTruono.com Apr 4, 2018

Beth Lindstrom: Helped reduce needless business regulations to increase jobs

As a small business owner, Beth understands the economy and the burden that regulations and high taxes impose on job creation. As Consumer Affairs Director, she was recognized for reducing unnecessary regulations. She also led a reform of the auto insurance market that lowered rates for drivers.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senate campaign website BethForSenate.com Apr 3, 2018

Nick Freitas: Budgets must come from a place of transparency and frugality

Transparency, Frugality and Constitutionality must be the hallmarks of government budgeting and fiscal management. Taxes should be collected fairly and equitably and should only be expended on legitimate functions of government.
Source: 2018 Virginia Senate campaign website Nick4Senate.com Mar 3, 2018

John James: Focus on cutting waste and getting to a balanced budget

Our debt is a national security threat. We must rein in spending ! I would support a balanced budget amendment and will work to cut waste and consolidate or eliminate entire departments in the federal bureaucracy.
Source: 2018 Michigan Senate campaign website JohnJamesForSenate.com Mar 2, 2018

Bobby Nardolillo: Rationalize onerous federal regulations

For a decade the US Federal Government has burdened our economy with more and more overhead requirements. It is high time we changed that!

One Overhead Expense with which businesses have to deal is government regulation. Without question we have to create specifications for a safe work place. When permissible levels of non-toxic chemicals in the work environment are tightened from Parts per Million to Parts per Billion, however, the dramatic increase in cost to do that is borne on the backs of our businesses.

I believe government can rationalize many of the onerous regulations it has imposed without doing any harm whatsoever to the health and safety of its citizens or the quality of its natural environment. With your help I will take my place as your spokesperson in the US Senate and begin implementing these needed changes.

Source: 2018 Rhode Island Senate campaign website bobby4senate.com Feb 3, 2018

Danny Tarkanian: Cut entitlements to reduce trillions of debt

Ronald Reagan warned in 1981: "For decades we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children's future for the temporary convenience of the present.." And in another speech the Gipper noted: "We don't have a trillion dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough. We have a trillion dollar debt because we spend too much."

Sadly, little has changed since Reagan left the White House. We're still mortgaging our nation's future on the backs of our children and grandchildren. Government is still the problem, not the solution. And the government still spends too much.

Sadder still, that trillion dollar debt President Reagan inherited in 1981 grew to $20 trillion under President Obama. To paraphrase another famous saying, "It's the spending, stupid." And that includes spending on so-called "entitlements."

Fixing this problem will require elected representatives who are willing to make tough but responsible decisions regardless of political consequences.

Source: 2018 Nevada Senate campaign website DannyTarkanian.com Feb 3, 2018

Beto O`Rourke: Promote antitrust & regulations that promote competition

Source: 2018 Texas Senate campaign website BetoForTexas.com Jan 1, 2018

Rich Pezzullo: Balance your budget and provide affordable services

As a businessman, Rich understands the importance of balancing a budget and providing services at prices which a customer can afford.
Source: 2018 New Jersey Senate campaign website pezzullo.com Jan 1, 2018

Arvin Vohra: Remove legal tender laws & stimulate the economy

When we eliminate legal tender laws, we allow Americans to spend money and accept payments in any form of currency they choose. This destroys the monopoly the Federal Reserve currently has, and abuses, on currency. When the Federal Reserve is not allowed to interfere, successful business practices will prevail, business cycles will be smoother, layoffs will be massively decreased, and the economy on the whole will prosper. I want to make this country fiscally responsible.
Source: 2018 Maryland Senate campaign website VoteVohra.com Dec 12, 2017

Matthew Corey: Washington's unbalanced budget affects all states

The $20 trillion in debt that we face is stifling job growth. The failure in Washington to pass a balanced budget is hindering our ability to grow the economy. With the right tax policy we can bring technology companies to invest in this country & state. We have to create a pathway for the next generation to bring new innovation to help America be the leader in the 21st Century. The harmful regulations that cost businesses millions of dollars that could be used for job growth and research.
Source: 2018 Connecticut Senate campaign website CoreyForSenate.com Dec 12, 2017

Matthew Corey: Wasteful spending and regulations crippling jobs

We need to decrease federal spending on wasteful projects and increase private sector investment through tax reform. Federal mandates and burdensome regulations are destroying job growth. We need a sound energy policy so companies can compete in a global economy. We need to invest in the next generation who will have the answers to lead this nation in becoming a clean energy country. We need corporate tax reform to bring back the trillions of dollars overseas. We need to stop crony capitalism.
Source: 2018 Connecticut Senate campaign website CoreyForSenate.com Dec 12, 2017

Roy Moore: Cut taxes and spending to stimulate economy

Lower taxes, smaller government, and less spending will reduce the deficit and enable economic growth and a truly "stimulated" economy.
Source: 2017-2018 Alabama Senate campaign website RoyMoore.org Aug 31, 2017

Leah Vukmir: Congress is addicted to spending our money

It's not just that Congress spends too much--Congress is addicted to spending our money. Leah Vukmir is a conservative who believes that if hard-working Wisconsinites have to balance a checkbook, Congress should too. Leah supports a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution for this very reason.

To pay for all this spending, Congress has created a complicated federal tax code. Thousands of pages long and burdensome for many Americans, Leah believes we must streamline the tax code by eliminating loopholes and deductions, while lowering tax rates for all Americans.

Finally, smaller companies pay one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. Taxation of this magnitude negatively impacts our ability to remain competitive and keep our workforce in the United States. In the Senate, Leah will push for a tax code that is simplified, increases competition with other nations, and benefits all Americans.

Source: 2018 Wisconsin Senate campaign website LeahVukmir.com Aug 10, 2017

Deedra Abboud: Economy should work for everyone

Arizona families pride themselves in being hard workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. But when the scales are tipped for the most wealthiest, our economy suffers. The federal government is failing to move forward with policies that can improve conditions for working families and bring a diversity of jobs to Arizona.

Deedra Abboud wants to ensure that Arizona families are provided with the chance to succeed. She strongly supports measures to increase the federal minimum wage, ensure equal pay and paid sick days, expand paid family and medical leave, support small businesses, and create jobs.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

Paula Jean Swearengin: Create investment banks that will create jobs

Our plan calls for creating regional and state investment banks to invest in kickstarting high-wage industries and modernizing existing industries. These new banks will invest in high-wage industries that will create millions of jobs for the American people. These regional and state investment banks will work hand in hand with a new national investment corporation that will work to find game-changing new ventures in which the banks can invest.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senate campaign website PaulaJean2018.com Jul 17, 2017

  • The above quotations are from Survey of 2018 Senate campaign websites.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Budget & Economy.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Rick Saccone on Budget & Economy.
  • Click here for more quotes by Mark Hurt on Budget & Economy.
Candidates and political leaders on Budget & Economy:

Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021