Your Candidates for U.S. Senate

10/03/2024

U.S. Senate

The Senate is composed of 100 Senators, 2 for each state. Until the ratification of the 17th Amendment in 1913, Senators were chosen by state legislatures, not by popular vote. Since then, they have been elected to six-year terms by the people of each state. Senators’ terms are staggered so that about one-third of the Senate is up for reelection every two years. Senators must be 30 years of age, U.S. citizens for at least nine years, and residents of the state they represent.

The Vice President of the United States serves as President of the Senate and may cast the decisive vote in the event of a tie in the Senate.

The Senate has the sole power to confirm those of the President’s appointments that require consent, and to provide advice and consent to ratify treaties. There are, however, two exceptions to this rule: the House must also approve appointments to the Vice Presidency and any treaty that involves foreign trade. The Senate also tries impeachment cases for federal officials referred to it by the House.

Salary: $174,000 annually

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Democratic Party Candidate: Lisa Blunt Rochester

https://lisabluntrochester.com

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Republican Party Candidate: Eric Hansen

https://voteerichansen.com

Biographical Info:

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/shorts/iNaqvPq_Gwo

Campaign Email: eric@voteEricHansen.com

Campaign Twitter Handle: /EricHansenDE

Neighborhood/area of residence: Delaware

Campaign Website: voteEricHansen.com

Work Experience: Walmart

Education: Yale MBA

Community Involvement: Yes

Campaign Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/EricHansenDE

Questions:

Q: What federal measures or actions do you support to affect the impact of climate change?
A: The big problem isn’t the US – it’s China and India. China and India are growing emissions with coal plants faster than we can reduce emissions. That means that no matter what we do, our best efforts will be negated by China and India. That doesn’t mean we should stop either but the solution for the US is innovation – not mandates and regulation. Innovation gave this country an extra hundred years of natural gas and reduced US CO2 by 30%. Innovation is helping reduce methane, which is 120x more powerful than CO2 as a greenhouse gas. Innovation will let US-made solar begin to complete with Chinese-made solar. The solution is to reduce China and India emissions while driving innovation here in the US.

Q: What role should the government play with regard to a woman’s reproductive choices?
A: The Supreme Court returned abortion policy to the states and Delawareans have been clear where they stand. I oppose a national abortion ban and will not support any federal law that overrides Delaware law. Like most Americans, I support reasonable limits on late-term abortions and will always support exceptions for the terrible cases of rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother. We must also do a better job supporting women through pregnancy and beyond. We can do this by ensuring that we have better maternal care, prenatal care, and a more cost-effective health care system.

Q: What measures would you enact to address the immigration issues facing this country?
A: We need to promote legal immigration and stop illegal immigration. We need to reform the asylum rules that have enormous loopholes. That said, sensible steps to screen migrants MUST be taken. I support a fully secure border and expanded legal immigration. Growing up poor meant I knew the appeal of the American dream and understand why across the world people feel that same longing for a better life, but provisions to welcome more people must come with more security.

Q: What measures do you support to improve and secure elections and voting?
A: We should have photographic proof of citizenship to register and photographic proof of identity to vote. That will eliminate any questions about voter integrity.

Q: Please explain the measures, if any, you support to address gun violence.
A: The majority of gun crime is committed by repeat violent offenders. Local prosecutors too often are not aggressively prosecuting gun violence and violent crimes – and as a result we are all less safe. I will add federal resources to ensure that the most dangerous and violent criminals are prosecuted and imprisoned. When local government will not step up, we are left with no choice but for the federal government to step in. We need support for drug addiction and mental health services to reduce gun crime, overdoses, homelessness, and random violence. For non-violent criminals we need end-to-end support systems so they can get jobs and become productive members of society.

Q: Technology, especially Artificial Intelligence, is evolving at such a fast pace that it’s hard to regulate. What are your priorities when it comes to AI policy?
A: Government regulations will never keep pace with cutting edge technological advances like AI. My priority will be to enhance current law or create new laws if needed, that cement long lasting norms that protect us and our privacy regardless of the technological innovations of the day.

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Independent Party of Delaware Candidate: Michael “Dr. Mike” Katz

https://www.drmikekatz.com

Biographical Info: 

Neighborhood/area of residence: Centerville

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCri58CNI5GIPZkZJFtnfSqg

Campaign Twitter Handle: drmikekatz

Campaign Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092662750874

Additional Information: Recruited in 1996 from Boston Childrens Hospital to A.I. duPont Hospital for Children bringing Trish and Mike to Delaware 28 years ago. They have been married for 37 years and their three kids were born and grew up in Delaware.

Community Involvement: Coach soccer/baseball, Board of Directors Kutz Home, Board of Director Newport Rowing Club, Board of Directors Grand Opera House, Board of Directors Delaware Theater Company.

Work Experience: Pediatric Critical Care Anesthesiologist, Health System Operational Efficiencies and Health System Integration Consultant, Commercial Real Estate Property Acquisitions and Management, Delaware State Senator, State and National Healthcare Policy.

Education: Bates College, B.S. Economics; Georgetown University M.D. MBA, MS (Medical Degree, International Executive MBA, Physiology)

Campaign Email: info@drmikekatz.com

Campaign Phone: (302) 353-6595

Campaign Website: www.drmikekatz.com 

Questions: 

Q: What federal measures or actions do you support to affect the impact of climate change?
A: I bring a comprehensive, health-focused approach to environmental and energy policy integrating private sector innovation to address environmental challenges. Support clean water, air protections, and sustainable practices while addressing the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Nuclear power is a reliable and low-carbon energy source to reduce greenhouse gas. Support and build upon the Advanced Act sponsored by Sen. Carper to promote efficient project permitting and advance nuclear technology development. Continue a proactive approach to planning for and addressing ongoing threats to Delaware’s beaches and open spaces, and to identify opportunities to enhance America’s global competitiveness and create business opportunities. 

Q: What role should the government play with regard to a woman’s reproductive choices?
A: Government’s role in women’s reproductive choices should be focused on protecting patients and their health, rather than politicizing issues for political gain. Women’s health has been weaponized, creating divisions in our country. Instead of using women’s health issues as a wedge, we should focus on solutions that bring us together, fostering compassion and care for one another. As a pediatric critical care anesthesiologist, I know that every patient is unique, with specific medical needs. Health decisions should always be made between a patient and their physician, guided solely by the best interests of the patient’s health. Government should facilitate solutions and provide support for patients, not intrude on private medical decisions. 

Q: What measures would you enact to address the immigration issues facing this country?
A: Immigration is the foundation of America, and immigrants continue to play a vital role in building our nation and enhancing its global competitiveness. Most Americans are descendants of immigrants or immigrants themselves. Immigration strengthens our country, enriching its diversity and resilience. America is a nation of law and order. Laws must be enforced and those who break them held accountable. Illegal immigration cannot be tolerated, and we must use our extensive resources to secure all borders—preventing illegal immigration, drug and human trafficking, and blocking those who seek to harm our country. If our immigration laws require reform, Congress must act swiftly, guided by the expertise of immigration and security professionals. 

Q: What measures do you support to improve and secure elections and voting?
A: Investing in modern, secure voting technology with paper backups, will ensure both the accuracy and transparency of every vote while making it easier to audit results. Implementing stronger cybersecurity protections, including regular system updates and independent security audits, will safeguard against foreign and domestic interference. Expanding access to early voting and mail-in ballots will help all citizens to participate, including those with disabilities, the elderly, and those working multiple jobs. Automatic voter registration and same-day registration will streamline the process, while nonpartisan, transparent oversight will ensure fairness, prevent voter suppression, and strengthen public trust in the electoral process. 

Q: Please explain the measures, if any, you support to address gun violence.
A: Gun violence is a downstream symptom of complex upstream root causes. Politicians focus on downstream solutions—reactive, quick fixes that garner media attention and create the illusion of addressing the issue. This approach traps them in a cycle of crisis management, never addressing the root causes of gun violence, such as socioeconomic inequality, mental health challenges, and domestic violence. Gun violence is just one facet of the broader issue of community safety. To solve it, we need an integrated approach that tackles economic, mental health, educational, community, and healthcare problems. Relying on band-aid solutions to downstream issues will neither improve community safety nor address the upstream causes driving gun violence. 

Q: Technology, especially Artificial Intelligence, is evolving at such a fast pace that it’s hard to regulate. What are your priorities when it comes to AI policy?
A: My top priority is to ensure that AI serves the public good while protecting privacy, safety, and human rights. We need forward-thinking regulations to promote innovation without sacrificing ethical standards. AI must be transparent and accountable, with mechanisms to prevent misuse, bias in decision-making, data exploitation, or unintended consequences. We should establish frameworks for responsible AI development, including strict privacy protections and cybersecurity standards to safeguard sensitive data. Collaboration between government, industry, and experts is essential to create guidelines to encourage advancements in AI and address its societal impact, ensuring that AI enhances, not undermine, human well-being and public trust

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