In December 2023, Congressman Patrick McHenry announced he was retiring from Congress.
McHenry has held the office since 2005. He said in a statement announcing his retirement, in part:
“I will be retiring from Congress at the end of my current term. This is not a decision I come to lightly, but I believe there is a season for everything and—for me—this season has come to an end.”
Citation
Three candidates are vying to become the next Congressman. In 2022, McHenry won his re-election bid in the general election 73% to 27%.
Who are the three candidates on the November ballot in the 10th District?
Republican: Pat Harrigan – Website
Democrat: Ralph Scott Jr. – Website
Libertarian: Steven Feldman – Website
The D.C. Beat reached out to all three candidates and asked them the exact same questions. While we do NOT edit candidates’ answers, we asked them to try and keep their answers to 100 words or less.
Responses are shown in the order in which we received them from the candidates.
Steven Feldman (Libertarian Party Candidate)
Question 1: What is the biggest issue facing your District, and what do you propose as a solution to the problem?” (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
The biggest issue facing our District is the lack of civility in our politics which makes it impossible to address critical issues like the National debt. There are well meaning people on both sides of issues, and we need to work together so that we don’t leave our children a bankrupt country. I propose we stop denigrating people we disagree with and work together to find solutions to pay down the debt. We can start by defending our own borders; using our military to kill people in other countries is too costly and does not make us safer.Question 2: Do you believe there is a problem at the southern border, and if so, how do you propose fixing it?” (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
Yes, there is a problem. We need a system that controls who comes in. We need to spend less money policing the rest of the world and redirect our resources to creating a robust, legal, controlled immigration system. Welcoming hard working young families into our country helps grow our economy and strengthens Social Security and Medicare programs that are currently unsustainable. We desperately need to end policies (like sanctions on Venezuela and our drug war that begets violent drug cartels) that make people feel the need to leave their home countries for a better, safer life here.Question 3: Do you believe the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade was a good thing?” (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
I have mixed feelings. The government should not control women’s bodies. The government should not condone murder. Many Americans feel that a fetus is a baby and others don’t. While I did not support overturning Roe v Wade, it not the end of the world for states to have different policies depending on the views of the people who live there. We should stop denigrating people who hold different views from ours. Civil discourse is needed but will be difficult given how passionately some believe abortion is murder and how others believe that the government shouldn’t regulate women’s bodies.Question 4: What stance of your opponents’ stances do you disagree with the most? (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
Answering this question directly would, inappropriately, involve making claims about other candidates’ beliefs. I can say my anti-war stance is very strong. War is costly and counterproductive. War generates hate. People who support war are just as pro-peace as I am; they just think that we must kill evil people to achieve peace. While I am Jewish, Jesus’ comment about the splinter and the plank in Luke 6:41-46 resonates with me. I strongly believe we need to be more peaceful to achieve peace, and this will strengthen our economy at home and help us reduce the National debt, too.Note: Feldmans’ answers were received on April 11th at 8:46 p.m. MT.
Ralph Scott Jr. (Democrat Party Candidate)
Question 1: What is the biggest issue facing your District, and what do you propose as a solution to the problem?” (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
“The biggest threat in my district an this country is MAGA. The MAGA movement threatens the very foundation of our country.
There are many problems in my district but the MAGA cult must be voted out. The fix for this problem is for everyone to vote blue this November! This will show the MAGA cult that we as the people of the U.S. we will not stand for anyone trying to destroy our country.”
Question 2: Do you believe there is a problem at the southern border, and if so, how do you propose fixing it?” (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
Yes I think the border is a issue. It has been neglected since the 90’s. I don’t think a single step will come anywhere near solving this problem.
One thing that I think will help if we start a immigration lottery that person can enter into in their home country. I think this help make it so people don’t have to place their lives in the cartels. Again this is a very complicated problem that many pieces would have be assembled together to fix it.
Question 3: Do you believe the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade was a good thing?” (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
“I can’t explain my position is less than 100 words. So I will have to summarize hopefully it will make sense. I think the court’s ruling in unconstitutional. Because abortion is an individual right. Which is protected by the first federal document the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence is protected by the Constitution.
The Federalist movement was stared to preserve the union of the 13 united conolies. Thus making the Declaration of Independence the first federal document. Which makes abortion a federal right not a state right.”
Question 4: What stance of your opponents’ stances do you disagree with the most? (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
“Again a summarize an just one of many things I disagree with. Basically both of my opponents think that less federal government is better. That it is very idealistic. They need to review their history.
The nations first form of government was the Article of Confederation. Which was a state based government an a basically none existent federal government. Which fell apart very quickly. Which led to the Federalist movement which my great-grandfather was a major player in. The federalist movement led my great grandfather to write the Construction. Which history shows a strong central government is needed.”
Note: Scott’s answers were received on April 12th at 1:51 p.m. MT.
Pat Harrigan (Republican Party Candidate)
Question 1: What is the biggest issue facing your District, and what do you propose as a solution to the problem?” (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
“When America fails to lead, the world burns. Everything from the invasion of our southern border, inflation, and rising crime, to weak foreign policy and declining educational standards are a direct result of ineffective Democratic leadership that prioritizes divisive agendas over American interests. This country needs more Veteran leadership in Congress that will support and defend the Constitution of the United States. As a West Point graduate and combat Veteran, I will always speak the truth and stand up for interests of the 10th District. I will work tirelessly to Protect our Nation, Unleash our Economy, and Restore Government Integrity.”
Question 2: Do you believe there is a problem at the southern border, and if so, how do you propose fixing it?” (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
“The situation at our border is a national security crisis. Millions of illegal immigrants have entered our country, and pose significant risks to Americans. We must prioritize restoring American sovereignty, because, without a border, we do not have a country. This starts with completing President Trump’s wall and reinstating his ‘remain in Mexico’ policies that were dismissed by the Biden Administration. Law enforcement agencies must be empowered with the necessary authorities and resources to enforce our laws and deport those who are here illegally. We cannot continue incentivizing illegal immigration; our duty is to protect American citizens first and foremost.”
Question 3: Do you believe the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade was a good thing?” (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
“As a Christian and a father of two little girls, my stance on abortion is firm and in line with the values of my faith. Since abortion destroys a human life that is wonderfully made in God’s image, I find it morally wrong. I will always prioritize policies that protect children and uphold the sanctity of life. I support the SCOTUS decision overturning Roe v. Wade, as it rightly restores power to state legislatures to enact laws protecting both the unborn and their mothers.”
Question 4: What stance of your opponents’ stances do you disagree with the most? (Please limit the answer to 100 words or less.)
“From West Point and the battlefields of Afghanistan as a Green Beret to my current role as owner of firearms manufacturing companies, my journey as a leader has been challenging, yet has given me unrelenting resolve to accomplish hard tasks. In this crucial moment, we face the choice of securing a brighter future for our children or limiting their opportunities, and I refuse to stand idly by and allow the latter to happen. Over the next two years, we can implement changes that begin to shape the future for our next generation. The focus of my candidacy is not about this next election—it’s about the next generation of Americans and they opportunity that must be secured for them in the years ahead through tough and principled leadership.”
Note: Harrigan’s answers were received on April 19th at 11:02 a.m. MT.
The 2024 election will take place on November 5th, 2024.
