Gubernatorial campaign websites: on Government Reform


Andria Tupola: Ease permitting processes for developers

Community members and local developers face many complications surrounding permits. According to a Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) survey, only 13% of respondents described themselves as "Satisfied" with DPP's building permit process. The main complaint from the survey was the amount of time it takes to get a permit reviewed. Besides that were the complications involved in the permitting process and the lack of staff members and capacity.
Source: 2022 Hawaii governor campaign website TupolaForCouncil.com Nov 3, 2020

Ashley Kalus: Attract business by lowering taxes, cutting red tape

We cannot continue down the same path we have for the last 80 years. The only way to move this state forward is by fostering an economic climate that attracts businesses and creates high-paying jobs, and it starts by lowering taxes, cutting red tape, and ensuring we have an educated workforce. If we take these steps and leverage our assets, we will create a competitive environment that makes Rhode Island the most affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.
Source: Press release on 2022 Rhode Island Governor campaign website Jul 13, 2022

Bob Stefanowski: Budget information should be a click away

We must prohibit conflicts of interest and ensure that politicians and their family members can never profit from the positions they hold. I will strengthen the state ethics laws and restore funding and staff to the state contracting review board that was gutted by Governor Lamont.

Promote Tax Transparency: You--the taxpayer--have a right to know how every dollar is being spent and the justification for why. In today's internet age, that information should be a click away.

Source: 2022 Connecticut BobForGovernor.com campaign website Apr 21, 2022

Brett Lindstrom: Government should never operate as nanny towards business

Small businesses are the lifeblood of Nebraska's economy - facing enough challenges without Governmental interference. As Brett travels throughout the state, he is hearing that businesses are struggling to keep their doors open due to staffing and supply issues. Unconstitutional mandates have seeped into every business in every community. Nebraskans are standing up for their livelihoods - and as Governor, Brett will walk alongside you so that government never operates as your nanny.
Source: 2022 Nebraska Governor campaign website VoteLindstrom.com Jun 24, 2022

Brett Lindstrom: Make it easier to vote and harder to cheat

When it comes to election integrity, Brett is fighting to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat. Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. It's past time we make sure our elections are fair, transparent, and that all legal votes are counted. One man, one vote: period.
Source: 2022 Nebraska Governor campaign website VoteLindstrom.com Jun 24, 2022

Chase LaPorte: Transparency in government keep officials accountable

Simply put, transparency in government enables you, the Kansas taxpayer to hold your elected officials accountable at all levels of government. I believe every Kansan has a right to easily access this information, to ask questions about how and why tax dollars are being spent, and who benefits from special interest legislation.
Source: 2022 Kansas Governor campaign website LaPorte4KSgov.com Jun 24, 2022

Chris Jones: Every community deserves to claim their seat at the table

We all have the potential to claim the power of our vote. Right now Arkansas is dead last in voter registration and turnout. This is the campaign that's going to flip the script and give people a reason to turn out to the polls. Every community deserves to claim their seat at the table.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Governor campaign website ChrisForGovernor.com May 26, 2022

Christine Drazan: Get the government off the backs of our small businesses

I will fight for lower taxes for families and businesses and streamline regulations that make it expensive to build everything from new housing to new factories. I will support critical industries like timber, trucking, and manufacturing. We will invest in job training and technical education programs. And we will get the government off the backs of our small businesses by reining in our state agencies and anti-business regulatory environment.
Source: 2022 Oregon Governor campaign website ChristineForOregon.com Mar 3, 2022

Christine Drazan: Establish a permanent task force on election integrity

Source: 2022 Oregon Governor campaign website ChristineForOregon.com Mar 3, 2022

Christopher Kurka: Elections certified only after a hand-count of every ballot

When a nation loses its ability to trust its elections, it has, to some degree, lost hope of change or the peaceful hand over of power. I call for a thorough audit of the 2020 election in every precinct in Alaska. Our election system needs to be thoroughly reviewed and every election certified only after a hand-count of every ballot.
Source: 2022 Alaska Gubernatorial campaign website ChrisKurka.com Feb 23, 2022

Cindy Axne: For campaign finance reform, expanding voting rights

Axne voted to advance comprehensive government reform legislation to reduce the influence of money in politics, ensure fair elections and expand voting rights, fight back against special interests, and demand better accountability from public officials. "The For The People Act tackles all of these reforms and more, making it the most comprehensive ethics reform package advanced in Washington since the post-Watergate era, and I'm proud to support it."
Source: 2022 Iowa Gubernatorial campaign website axne.house.gov Apr 15, 2021

Dan Cox: Require citizen voter ID, end unverified mail-in ballots

Ensure election integrity, order a forensic audit and protect the People's right to choose their representatives with one person, one legal vote. I will submit a legislative package to require a valid citizen voter I.D., end unverified mail-in ballots and order a forensic audit of the 2020 election.
Source: 2022 Maryland Governor campaign website CoxForFreedom.com Apr 24, 2022

Deidre DeJear: Ensure the protection of all Iowans' voting rights

Voting is our most basic, democratic right and must be protected. It is time to strengthen our voting system, making it safe and accessible so ALL Iowans have equal access to the ballot box and can rightfully participate in our democracy. Iowa has always positioned itself as a leader, now is the time to lead by example and ensure the protection of all Iowans' voting rights.
Source: 2022 Iowa Governor campaign website DeJearForIowa.com May 30, 2022

Deirdre Gilbert: Texas has a 150 year history of voter suppression

Back door legislation in voting creates significant burdens for eligible voters trying to exercise their right to vote. Texas passed the strictest laws pertaining to Voter ID laws. Texas has a 150 year history of voter suppression, purging voter rolls, forcing polling places to close, creating long lines at polling places, making voter registration difficult, stopping the expansion of mail-in voting, and diluting voting power of minority groups by racial gerrymandering.
Source: 2022 Texas Gubernatorial campaign website gilbert4gov.com Sep 22, 2022

Doug Gansler: Judicial retention elections promote diversity on the bench

Source: 2022 Maryland Gubernatorial campaign website DougGansler.com Dec 29, 2021

Doug Mastriano: Eliminate "No-Excuse" Mail-in voting and Ballot Drop boxes

Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website doug4gov.com May 18, 2022

Doug Mastriano: Cut statewide regulations by at least 55,000 in first year

Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website doug4gov.com May 18, 2022

Doug Mastriano: Prohibit political consultants from registering as lobbyists

Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website doug4gov.com May 18, 2022

Garrett Soldano: Fought to revoke health law granting emergency powers

As a citizen Co-Chair of the Unlock Michigan campaign, I led the fight to revoke the 1945 law that allowed Whitmer to abuse her power. However, our work is not done - the health department continues to target students, businesses and workers, and their powers must be limited. As Governor, I will work with the legislature to put freedom first and restore power where it belongs - THE PEOPLE!
Source: 2022 MI Governor campaign website GarrettForMichigan.com Dec 22, 2021

Garrett Soldano: Expand Voter ID, crack down hard on fraud

An audit of the 2020 election will unveil the truth, identify ways to improve our voting process and help restore faith in future elections. I support a FULL FORENSIC AUDIT - what do the Democrats have to hide? Because this Governor and Attorney General refuses to secure our elections, it will take new leadership in Lansing to get the job done. My administration will expand Voter ID, crack down hard on fraud, make sure every precinct is secure and that every vote is legal.
Source: 2022 MI Governor campaign website GarrettForMichigan.com Dec 22, 2021

Greg Lopez: State regulators are running amuck, will reduce their number

The Lopez Administration will reduce the number of rules and regulations that are choking the success of small businesses across the state. The Department of Regulatory Agencies is the state's umbrella regulatory agency, charged with managing licensing and registration for multiple professions and businesses, implementing balanced regulation for Colorado industries, and protecting consumers. This agency is running amuck and has too many employees and will be trimmed down once I get into office.
Source: 2022 Colorado Gubernatorial campaign website Lopez2022.com Nov 9, 2021

Heidi Ganahl: Streamline regulations to help local job creators

Source: 2022 Colorado Governor campaign website HeidiForGovernor.com Dec 28, 2021

Jason Martin: Ensure every eligible voter can access the ballot box

As governor, I will ensure every eligible voter can access the ballot box and have a say in the future of our state. I support same day registration and voting and expanding the types of identification required to register. I believe that we should expand polling locations to make sure that people can cast their ballot conveniently, and during a busy workday. This includes polling locations on college campuses and encouraging high schoolers who turn 18 to register.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com Aug 7, 2022

Jim Pillen: Stand up to radicals using fake meat to attack Nebraska

The assault on modern agriculture has never been more evident than it is now. You can be sure I will fight against overreach by the federal government, like Joe Biden's 30x30 land grab and the Waters of the U.S. rule, and I will stand up to radicals who want to use fake meat to put Nebraska agriculture out of business. In Nebraska, we feed the world-we don't need government throwing up unnecessary regulation and red tape to stunt our innovation.
Source: 2022 Nebraska Gubernatorial campaign website JimPillen.com May 12, 2022

Josh Shapiro: Expand early voting; implement same-day voter registration

He'll veto any efforts to restrict mail-in voting, expand early voting, and set up automatic voter registration -- making it easier than ever for legal voters to participate in our democracy. He'll appoint a pro-democracy Secretary of State to run our elections, expand pre-registration opportunities for young people, and implement same-day voter registration through Election Day.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website JoshShapiro.org May 18, 2022

Kai Kahele: Automatic back-end voter registration beyond just DMV

Hawai'i has front-end automatic voter registration. This means that when a resident applies for a license at the DMV, they are asked if they would like to be registered to vote. We need back-end voter registration where residents are automatically registered to vote through applicable state agency transactions beyond just the DMV. This means more people will receive mail-in ballots, thereby increasing voter participation.
Source: 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial campaign website KaiKahele.com May 12, 2022

Kandiss Taylor: Drop no excuse absentee ballots, Dominion voting machines

Election Reform: Every Legal Vote Shall Count

No excuse absentees ballots and Dominion MUST GO!

Source: 2022 GA Gubernatorial campaign website KandissTaylor.com Aug 23, 2021

Karrin Taylor Robson: Supports voter ID, ban on ballot harvesting

Arizonans deserve free and fair elections they can believe in. That's simply not the case today. Karrin supports common sense reforms like voter ID, a universal ban on ballot harvesting and other measures to secure the vote.
Source: 2022 Arizona Governor campaign website KarrinForArizona.com Jun 24, 2022

Karrin Taylor Robson: Karrin knows importance of keeping government out of the way

As a small-business owner, Karrin knows the importance keeping government out of the way. She'll be a champion for small business owners and an advocate for low taxes, smart regulations and an economy that works for ALL Arizona families.
Source: 2022 Arizona Governor campaign website KarrinForArizona.com Jun 24, 2022

Katie Hobbs: Streamline process to start a new business under one roof

Starting a business in Arizona should be straightforward. But it often involves interacting with several state agencies including the Corporation Commission, the Department of Revenue, the Secretary of State, and the Commerce Authority, on top of registering with local governments. Hobbs will streamline the process by unifying the application process under one roof so new businesses won't have to navigate a web of government bureaucracy.
Source: 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website KatieHobbs.org Dec 20, 2021

Katie Hobbs: End conflicts of interest, fight for lobbying rules

Owning individual stocks and controlling certain assets has the potential to create the appearance of a financial conflict of interest. That's why Hobbs will fight to pass legislation requiring public officials to divest from stock and other assets whose value could be influenced by their legislation or employing department. Hobbs would fight for new lobbying rules to increase transparency and stop corruption.
Source: 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website KatieHobbs.org Dec 20, 2021

Katie Hobbs: Disclose campaign contributions, support initiative process

Hobbs will fight to ensure all dark money groups have to disclose every dollar spent on races in Arizona--because Arizonans have the right to know who is attempting to influence our elections.

In 2017, the GOP legislature attempted to restrict the ballot initiative process. To prevent any potential attempts by the legislature to limit Arizonans' right to have their voices heard, Hobbs will veto any legislation designed to circumvent the public's right to initiatives and referendums.

Source: 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website KatieHobbs.org Dec 20, 2021

Katie Hobbs: Will veto any new voter suppression legislation

Katie will veto any new voter suppression legislation and fight to reverse the decision to ban out-of-precinct ballots from being counted. A Hobbs Administration will also continue to protect access to vote centers, early voting sites throughout the state, and access to secure ballot drop boxes in communities where mail service is not always reliable. Katie will continue to advocate for the acceptance of non-traditional addresses to make voting by mail more accessible.
Source: 2022 Arizona Gubernatorial campaign website KatieHobbs.org Dec 20, 2021

Kirk Caldwell: We have to reduce taxes, bureaucracy, and over-regulation

Government is not an entrepreneur. It can't start and grow new businesses. But we can do a dramatically better job to foster and attract them. Hawai'i has some of the highest income tax brackets in the US and difficult regulatory burdens. We're at an all-time low in business rankings. We must make our state a better place for innovators and entrepreneurs to do business. If we want to attract more industries and jobs beyond tourism, we have to reduce taxes, bureaucracy, and over-regulation.
Source: 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial campaign website KirkCaldwell.com Apr 11, 2022

Maura Healey: Pass VOTES Act; same day voter registration

Source: 2022 Massachusetts Governor campaign website MauraHealey.com Jun 7, 2022

Michelle Benson: Outlaw abusive practices like ballot harvesting

Easy to Vote. Hard to Cheat. Ensuring the integrity of our elections through common-sense approaches should not be controversial. Minnesota needs to outlaw abusive practices like ballot harvesting and catch up to the rest of the country when it comes to voter verification.
Source: 2022 Minnesota Governor campaign website Michelle4MN.com Dec 23, 2021

Mike Murphy: Update and modernize voter registration systems

The 2020 election has highlighted the inaccuracies in our voting system. Voter integrity is vital to our elections, and to the Democratic process. Minnesotans deserve to know that our elections are free and fair. As Governor I will fight to protect the ballot box, and make that your vote matters.
Source: 2022 Minnesota governor campaign website MikeMurphyForMN.com Feb 16, 2021

Peter Franchot: Deliver on specific goals to rebuild trust in government

    As part of this process and to immediately build trust in government, the Franchot administration will deliver on three specific goals within the first six months of the first term:
  1. Fill every pothole on state roads;
  2. Clean all trash on state roads; and
  3. Answer every Marylander's call to state agencies within 60 seconds with a live, friendly, trained professional.
Source: 2022 Maryland Gubernatorial campaign website TK.com Jul 19, 2021

Peter Franchot: Create a universal, transparent vote by mail system

The significant expansion of the electorate Maryland witnessed via the vote-by-mail system utilized for its 2020 Primary Election is a perfect opportunity to expand our suffrage. Franchot will introduce and champion legislation that creates a universal, well-run, transparent vote by mail system in which every Marylander receives a ballot via mail that can be returned by mail or drop box. Moreover, Maryland will continue to offer in-person early and Election Day balloting.
Source: 2022 Maryland Gubernatorial campaign website TK.com Jul 19, 2021

Richard Irvin: For term limits, against gerrymandering

While other Republicans are regularly steamrolled by Mike Madigan and Springfield insiders, Irvin fought Madigan and won. When Irvin ran for Mayor, he defeated Madigan's hand-picked candidate so he could take on the system. Irvin is a political outsider who supports term limits to get rid of career politicians and is a strong supporter of fair maps so every voice in every community is represented and heard across Illinois. Irvin will clean up Springfield corruption.
Source: 2022 Illinois Gubernatorial campaign website IrvinBourne.com Jun 2, 2022

Rushern Baker: Require dark money groups to disclose their donors

For too long, politicians have been unwilling or unable to end the undue influence of special interests and dark money on our elections. Our administration would make public financing available to all state candidates, halt coordination between Super PACs and candidates, require dark money groups to disclose their donors, and empower voters to participate in funding the candidate of their choice with a tax credit for campaign donations.
Source: 2022 Maryland Governor campaign website RushernBaker.com Jun 24, 2022

Sonia Chang-Diaz: Increase the number of minority-majority districts

Establish systems to ensure that the voices and interests of historically underrepresented groups are more equitably represented in state government through appointments, hiring, and commission structures. Sonia has made this a priority throughout her work, dating all the way back to 2011 when she served as Vice Chair of the Redistricting Committee and successfully advocated to increase the number of legislative districts in which the majority of the population was comprised of people of color.
Source: 2022 TK Gubernatorial campaign website TK.com Apr 15, 2022

Tim James: Eliminate unnecessary regulations unduly burdening business

We believe that business growth must be encouraged by all levels of government through the elimination of all unnecessary regulations that unduly burden industry and businesses.
Source: 2022 Alabama Governor campaign website TimJamesGovernor.com Feb 24, 2022

Tim James: Require proof of citizenship & photo ID in order to vote

We support legislation requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote and secure photo identification when voting in order to help ensure that we have fair and honest elections.
Source: 2022 Alabama Governor campaign website TimJamesGovernor.com Feb 24, 2022

Tudor Dixon: Cut, reduce, or streamline 40% of regulatory code in 4 years

Slash 40% of Regulations in 4 Years: Cut, reduce, or streamline 40% of Michigan's enormous regulatory code in four years. Unleash entrepreneurs, unlock economic growth, and attract new businesses and workforce talent to the state.
Source: 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial campaign website TudorDixon.com Aug 3, 2022

Tudor Dixon: Enact strong Voter ID, ban drop boxes

Source: 2022 Michigan Gubernatorial campaign website TudorDixon.com Aug 3, 2022

Betsy Johnson: Get regulations out of the way to fast-track construction

End Oregon's politician-created housing supply crisis so every Oregonian of any income level can afford to live here. Oregon needs to build 580,000 new housing units over the next two decades just to close our housing supply deficit and keep up with population growth. I will get the politicians and outdated rules, regulations, and fees out of the way so we can fast-track construction and reduce the cost of building all types of housing options.
Source: 2022 Oregon Gubernatorial campaign website RunBetsyRun.com Oct 6, 2022

Helena Foulkes: Ensure citizens can exercise their right to vote

Rhode Island makes it far too difficult for our people to vote, but the good news is that with the right policies, we can fix that. That's why leadership at the state level matters now more than ever. And we have a lot of work to do here at home. Last year, we were the only state with Democratic leaders that failed to expand voting rights. Despite being a heavily Democratic state, Rhode Island has a lot of work to do to ensure that our citizens can exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Source: 2022 R.I. Gubernatorial campaign website HelenaFoulkes.com Oct 3, 2022

Helena Foulkes: Cut onerous red tape to help businesses of all sizes

No one who works full time should struggle to make ends meet in Rhode Island. From her own experience as a business leader, Helena knows how to recruit companies to create jobs here in Rhode Island. She also understands what our existing businesses of all sizes - small, medium, and large - need to grow and thrive. As governor, she will work to cut onerous red tape, make it easier for Rhode Islanders to start their own business, and create jobs in high-growth industries.
Source: 2022 R.I. Gubernatorial campaign website HelenaFoulkes.com Oct 3, 2022

Tim Walz: Restore voting rights for formerly incarcerated people

Gov. Walz signed into law the largest expansion of voting rights in Minnesota in the last half century, restoring voting rights for over 55,000 formerly incarcerated people in Minnesota, establishing automatic voter registration, creating a permanent absentee voting status, and pre-registering 16- and 17-year-olds to vote. Gov.Walz also signed the Minnesota Voting Rights Act into law--prohibiting standards that would deny or limit any citizen's right to vote based on their race, color, or language.
Source: 2022 Minnesota Governor campaign website mn.gov/Governor Aug 6, 2024

  • The above quotations are from Survey of 2022 Gubernatorial campaign websites.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Government Reform.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Jared Polis on Government Reform.
  • Click here for more quotes by Charlie Baker on Government Reform.
Candidates and political leaders on Government Reform:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Aug 18, 2024