Recks

April 14, 2023

Family Values and Energy

My fellow Americans, it's a privilege to be here in [city], the heartland of America, where traditional conservative values are held dear. As we face challenges on multiple fronts, from the erosion of traditional family values to the ongoing energy crisis, it's crucial that we have leadership that aligns with our core principles.

I stand before you as a proud conservative who believes in the sanctity of life and traditional marriage. I will always defend the rights of the unborn and work to protect the traditional family structure, which serves as the foundation of our society.

While my opponent, Peter Ellis, may not share these values, I am committed to upholding them and ensuring that they are protected in our country’s laws. I will fight against any attempts to undermine the sanctity of life and traditional marriage. This means nominating judges who believe in the Constitution as-written, not as they want it to be written. And, most importantly, I will always prioritize the well-being of our families and communities.

As American families face a crisis of increasing prices at the gas pump, I believe in taking a comprehensive, all-of-the-above approach to address our energy needs. This includes exploring and responsibly tapping into new oil sources to increase our energy independence and alleviate the burden on American families. We must allow drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, which can single handedly set us on a path towards energy independence.

At the same time, we must invest in renewable and alternative sources of energy for the long-term sustainability of our environment and economy. That is why I support innovative research and development in clean and renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and nuclear power. And let’s not forget the biofuels, like ethanol, that come from right here in [state]!

My energy policy is one that balances the immediate needs of our nation with the long-term vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.

My friends, I am the only candidate in this race who will uphold traditional family values, promote an all-of-the-above energy policy, and work tirelessly to ensure that the needs of [stae] and the entire nation are met. Together, we can secure a moral and brighter future for our children and grandchildren. Thank you, and God bless [state]!

April 14, 2023

Maverick Western Values

Ladies and gentlemen, it's an honor to be here in [city, state], in the heart of the American Southwest, where the spirit of individualism and freedom runs deep. As I stand before you today, I am reminded of the great legacy of this region, which exemplifies the frontier spirit, a can-do attitude, and a respect for individual rights.

Like these trailblazers, I am proud to be a maverick, unafraid to challenge the status quo and fight for what I believe in. My campaign message of putting "Freedom First" summarizes my unwavering commitment to uphold the ideals of limited government and personal liberty.

[State’s] rugged landscape has taught us the value of self-reliance and independence, and I believe that these values should be at the core of our nation's policies. As President, I will work tirelessly to promote policies that put the freedom and well-being of the American people first.

You see, I am running for President because I am fed up with the elites in Washington and Wall Street who prioritize their own interests over those of hardworking Americans. I will fight to end the bailouts and special favors for the well-connected, and instead provide targeted economic relief for the hardworking people of [state] impacted by recklessness they had no control over. It's time to ensure that every American has an equal opportunity to succeed.

As a veteran, I understand the sacrifices of our military community, and I am committed to providing our troops with the resources they need to keep our nation safe. I will be a Commander-in-Chief who values the lives and well-being of our servicemen above all else - even if that means taking an independent stance, apart from the whims of the military-industrial complex.

In the spirit of [state]'s individualism, I will also work towards a common-sense, all-of-the-above energy policy that embraces both fossil fuels and renewable sources of energy. We can protect our beautiful landscapes like the Grand Canyon, White Sands, and more, while also promoting economic growth and job creation. I will also fight to defend the sanctity of life and traditional family values, as a proud man of faith.

Friends, it's time to restore the American dream and put "Freedom First" in our nation's policies. Together, let us take a bold stand for the principles that make America exceptional for our children and generations to come. Thank you, and God bless America!

April 14, 2023

Freedom First!

Official Campaign Planning of the Ken Wesley/Hiram Storm 2008 Campaign

April 10, 2023

Ken Wesley (R-FL)

Former Congressman and Governor

Republican Candidate for President

Name: Ken James Wesley

Avatar: Jeff Flake

Date of Birth: April 6, 1955 (53 years old in 2008) [0 points]

Place of Birth: Erie, PA

Place of Residence: North Palm Beach, FL

Party: Republican Party

Caucus: Republican Study Caucus

Gender: Male [0 points]

Sexuality: Straight, married with 3 children [0 points]

Wife: Teresa Wesley (née Batista) (m. 1981)

Children:

Tom Welsey (b. 1983), Marine officer
Lisa Wesley (b. 1985), nursing student
Frank Wesley (b. 1990), high school senior

Race: White [0 points]

Religion: Roman Catholic [0 points]

Family History: Middle Class [0 points]

Educational History:

BS in Engineering, US Naval Academy at Annapolis (1973-1977) [0 points]

Occupational History:

United States Navy [10 points]

Ensign (1977-1978)
Lieutenant, Junior Grade (1978-1980)
Lieutenant (1980-1984)
Lieutenant Commander (1984-1985)

US Department of Energy [10 points]

Advisor to the Secretary (1985-1986)
Senior Advisor to the Secretary (1986-1987)
Chief of Staff (1988)

Political History:

US Congressman, Florida’s 12th District (1989-1993) [6 points]
US Congressman, Florida’s 16th District (1993-1999) [9 points]
- Chairman, Subcommittee on Energy (1995-1999) [4 points]
Governor, State of Florida (1999-2007) [24 points]

Other:

Published a book [10 points]

Key Votes:

101st Congress (1989-1991): Civil Rights Act of 1990 - NAY

102nd Congress (1991-1993): Former Soviet Union Demilitarization Act of 1992 - NAY

KEY VOTE: Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 1991 - NAY [5 points]

103th Congress (1993-1995): North American Free Trade Agreement - NAY

104th Congress (1995-1997): Helms–Burton Act - AYE

105th Congress (1997-1999): Balanced Budget Act of 1997 - AYE

Total Points: 78

Ken Wesley was born in Erie, Pennsylvania to a middle class Roman Catholic family. His mother was a parochial school teacher and his father was a foreman at a local plant. Wesley grew up as the fourth of five children and played varsity high school baseball. Wesley was also actively involved in Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He was nominated to attend the US Naval Academy at Annapolis by then-Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania.

As a midshipman at Annapolis, Ken Wesley studied engineering, with the ultimate goal of becoming a naval aviator. During summers and soon after graduation, Wesley was commissioned as an Ensign and was able to begin flying naval missions. Throughout his Navy career, he was variously stationed in California, Florida and Virginia. It was as a Lieutenant stationed in Florida that he met his future wife, Teresa Batista, the daughter of a prominent Cuban exile family. The couple would marry in 1981.

After serving many missions as a Naval Aviator, Wesley was detailed to the Pentagon in his final years of active duty service. There, he worked under John S. Herrington, an appointee by President Ronald Reagan. When Herrington eventually was named Secretary of Energy, he convinced Wesley to transition to civilian life as an Advisor. During his time in the Department of Energy, Wesley was a proponent of American energy independence and conservation efforts. He assisted Secretary Herrington in restoring the role of Assistant Secretary for Environment while also maintaining a small and relatively streamlined bureaucracy in DC.

As the Reagan administration was coming to a close, Ken Wesley returned to Florida - specifically to North Palm Beach - where his wife's father was ailing. Wesley was soon recruited by the local Cuban-American community into which he had married and the military retiree community to run for Congress to replace Tom Lewis, who had unexpectedly announced his retirement.

Wesley won the primary and went on to win the general election to represent Florida's 12th district. He voted against the unpopular Civil Rights Act of 1990. He would also go on to vote against a couple of the George H.W. Bush-era foreign policy initiatives, including an NDAA and the 1991 AUMF. He would be described as a populist conservative, having backed Pat Buchanan over his incumbent President. Later, he voted against NAFTA.

In the wake of the Republican Revolution of 1994, Ken Wesley was appointed Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy. This appointment was not without controversy, as Wesley had developed a firebrand-like image in some media circles. Nonetheless, when it came to energy Wesley was a true workhorse. Elsewhere in Congress, Wesley helped champion and vote for a balanced budget stringent provisions aimed at Communist Cuba.

In the 1998 election cycle, Ken Wesley decided to return to Florida and beat Jeb Bush, a scion of that political dynasty in a bruising primary. He won the general election and went on to be a successful conservative governor - Florida's first two-term Republican governor in its history.

During his gubernatorial tenure, Wesley was credited with expanding school choice, enacting medical tort reform, transitioning Medicaid to a semi-private system, and instituting conservation measures for the Everglades. In an unexpected move, he decided to recuse himself in the 2000 Florida recount. Some saw this as a slight to the Bush family, with whom he had a contentious relationship. He also was a strong fiscal conservative, cutting the state government workforce, frequently using the line-item veto to cut pork, and increasing the state's fiscal reserves by $8.5 billion.

In 2007, when he was considering a Presidential bid, Ken Wesley wrote a political book that interwove his life story with his beliefs and views on where America should go. The book, Freedom First: Ken Wesley Puts Liberty in Action, was a popular seller among conservative readers.

He currently lives in North Palm Beach with his youngest son, Frank, his wife, and a Golden retriever. He is active in his parish's community and has recently announced a bid for the Republican nomination for the White House.

April 10, 2023

Ken Wesley (R-FL) Questionnaire

Overall Philosophy: Ken Wesley is a populist, limited government conservative. An inheritor of Reaganite three-legged stool conservatism, Wesley also has some idiosyncratic beliefs that guide his thinking. For instance, on the economy, Wesley strongly supports the free market and tax cuts with a balanced budget. However, he has grown disillusioned with “elites on Wall Street” who want bailed-out at taxpayer expense. He is much more favorable to providing targeted economic relief for “the everyman impacted by irrational recklessness they had no control over.” In the 1990s, Wesley also voted against NAFTA, on the grounds that Canada and Mexico failed to open their economies sufficiently for America to benefit.

Domestically, Ken Wesley’s background in energy has led him to be a vocal proponent of an “all-of-the-above” solution. His record in Florida also emphasized conservationism. Ken, a conservative Catholic, also opposes abortion and same-sex unions. His record, including vetoing funding to Planned Parenthood and fighting for Terri Schiavo’s life, show his zeal for these social issues.

Abroad, Wesley - a Navy veteran - has demonstrated a lack of fondness for overseas conflicts. He voted against entering the Gulf War in 1991, and has said that he would like to see the United States “finish the job in Afghanistan swiftly with a major strike against Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda leadership.” He believes countering terrorism necessitates greater security at home and less conflict abroad. Wesley is dovish to the Russian Federation, but has an innate dislike for communist regimes, including the one in China.

Priorities: Ken Wesley views the role of President as guiding public opinion into action, while also serving as Commander-in-Chief. At home, Wesley’s first priority is reducing the impacts of the pending financial crisis on everyday Americans. He would be reluctant to take unilateral, executive actions without the backing of Congress, but would hope that Congress would negotiate in good faith to deliver workable legislation that could include tax relief and economic support. He also views his energy platform, where he has called for embracing fossil fuels as well as fuels of the future, as a key area to start off his first 100 days.

Wesley’s first budget will lay the foundation for economic growth and recovery, while cutting unnecessary spending. He will advocate for a line-item veto amendment if feasible, citing his time as Governor of Florida for its importance. He also wants to work with Congress to pass a school choice agenda and healthcare reform - focusing on parents and patients, not bureaucrats.

In all of these areas, Ken Wesley is happy to work with Congress and his party’s Congressional leadership. On foreign policy, Wesley intends to be decisive and eager to secure clear victories in the conflicts abroad. While he is opposed to timetables for withdrawal, he intends to lay out a set of objectives that would need to be met before he begins focusing America’s attention elsewhere. Winning the wars would also be a key part of his objective of restoring long-term fiscal sanity to the United States.

Personal Style: Ken Wesley has been described as a happy warrior when governing, campaigning with anti-establishment rhetoric, and legislating with a clear sense of purpose. While he served as Governor of Florida, he was eager to tout his record and promote conservative policies - such as school choice, tax cuts, and sound budgetary policies. Florida was a booming state in the late 1990s to mid-2000s, so his messaging resonated with the people of the rapidly-growing Sunshine State. His message invoked freedom and the American spirit, innovation and problem-solving. “A rising tide lifts all boats” was a fitting expression.

On the trail - both when he was running for Governor and now, in his bid for the White House - Wesley has been noted for his sometimes fiery oratory. He is not content to simply take up the mantle of his predecessor - he wants to bring change. This righteous anger, as it is sometimes, doesn’t preclude policy solutions. But Ken Wesley is a big-picture thinker, and he aims to sell his vision for America’s future. This involves appealing to the common working man and woman.

While he was in Congress and while he worked with the Florida Legislature to send bills to his desk, Wesley legislated with principle and conviction. He also recognized that a single Congressman couldn’t lead by himself, so he was eager to work with others in his party. This translated to his time in Tallahassee, where he would frequently take trips down to meet with key legislators.

April 9, 2023

I accept.

April 8, 2023

I self-nominate Ken Wesley (R-FL).

I will have answers to the three questions (Philosophy/Priorities/Personality) before the nomination period closes. In the meanwhile, feel free ask questions here or on Discord.

April 8, 2023