Candidate Profile: Justin Anderson For 2nd Congressional District

CONNECTICUT — The 2020 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election, but every U.S. House of Representatives seat is also up for election. All seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs.

Justin Anderson, an East Haddam resident is running for the 2nd Congressional District.

Age: 49
Party affiliation: Republican Party
Family:Wife: Darlene E. Anderson, 5 kids (4 Boys, 1 Girl)
Occupation:Retired
Previous elected experience:Planning and Zoning Board, East Haddam
Family members in government:No
Campaign website: Www.justinandersonforcongress....

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Security: Physical security for the citizens and health security from the COVID-19 Pandemic

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I will make decisions based on what best helps Americans and I will not be ruled by any party that does not put the people first.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I am currently working for the National Guard as the Regional Training Institute Operations Officer, located at Camp Nett in Niantic. I have served for over 30 years in the Connecticut Army National Guard; 8 years enlisted, over 22 years as an officer.

I conducted four deployments after 9/11: two combat tours in Afghanistan, earning the Combat Infantry Badge after conducting air assault operations to clear Taliban villages. I am also a Bronze Star recipient.

After 21 years in the Infantry, I spent 5 years teaching at Officer Candidate School: 3 years as an instructor and 2 years as Commander; training soldiers to be officers and leaders, for the US Army.

Later in my military career, I spent 1 year as the CT State Planner and Leader of the Homeland Response Force, an anti-terrorism response team to combat chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear or high-explosive attacks throughout the New England region.

In addition to my military career, I worked for over 20 years as a correctional officer in a maximum-security prison (retired 2013). Seven years were on the Correctional Special Operations Group (SOG), as a facilities hostage rescue team member, and transportation team member for high risk inmates.

More recently, I was called to active duty to be the Military Liaison Officer to the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Region 1 Office); ensuring commercial and federal stocks of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were distributed through the five emergency regions to the local municipalities, police, fire and EMS first responders. This also included support of hospitals, and later, local businesses. These efforts by our state military forces have ensured that Connecticut remained one of two states in the entire nation that were considered “contained’, in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic.

My last full-time job for the military was as an Intelligence Operations Specialist for the State of Connecticut. I was the Senior Intelligence Officer (SIO) for Connecticut. The federal government paid me to work for the Army National Guard. Due to the Hatch Act, one cannot be a federal employee and campaign for political office. I truly believe the new battlefront for the future of America, and the world we leave our children, is now in politics. This is where I am needed.

I resigned from my federal job 2019 to Campaign for 2nd Congressional District, CT.

I am a family man. I have raised five kids and currently have a daughter that just turned four. My wife has been an Active Duty Army service member for over 23 years, with her own overseas deployment. I remain an elected member on the Planning and Zoning Commission of East Haddam, CT. I will continue to fight for this nation in the most important battles. From combat in foreign lands to Connecticut’s most dangerous prisons, from local board membership to national representation, I thrive for a better world.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
First and foremost is the safety of our citizens and communities. No Protester has the right to damage your property, burn your businesses or invade your personal space. Both verbal and physical attacks on other American citizens is NOT acceptable.

Safety of our citizens is reliant upon Professional Police Forces, which are guided by critical training and strong, honest leadership; not defunding. Responsible city leaders should have already planned for their local police budget. If there are other programs or assets that can be used in conjunction with the police, our elected leaders should have already factored them into the safety of their communities. When a leader requests the defunding of their police, they have just admitted they neglected to review their very own budget, in conjunction with the safety requirements of their local population.

Reopening Connecticut needs to be a state priority. There are many who will simply not be affected by the coronavirus. The long-term effects of economic shutdown and social isolation will take a large toll on our citizens. Employers must allow those who have specific concerns (such as specific risk identifiers) or additional health risks to return in a safe manner. At the same time, those who are healthy, or believe they can perform their duties safely, must have the freedom to return to work. Families need to be able to support themselves. Those that have concerns need to be the ones to socially distance themselves or take continued precautions.

Many have openly supported the Green New Deal (GND). The GND has cost estimates well into the trillions. If we had implemented the GND and Covid-19 had come about after those trillions were allocated, the economic disaster might have been irreversible. The expense is far too much when compared to the inadequate energy return. A sweeping deal will always place the nation in jeopardy if laid out in full. Small reasonable steps can be made to be a greener nation, but they can never be implemented as a complete funded plan which leaves no way to recover from any type of national emergency. At all times, we need to consider the burden we may place on our children. One cannot say "the children are the future" and then set them up for economic failure.

I believe in the continued funding of a strong military. The national defense budget is critical to maintaining peace through strength. It is also necessary to ensure our money is spent wisely. Funds spent must maximize capabilities and improve efficiencies. As a Lieutenant Colonel who has managed multiple federal budgets, there is no other candidate in this race who has the same insight and understanding to help guide the funding of the best possible military as I.

Prominent employers like Electric Boat (EB), Sikorsky, and Pratt & Whitney have been key contributors to the Connecticut economy. During the height of the Cold War, EB employed about 25,000 workers. The workforce shrunk down to about 9,000 in 2004. With the strengthened military spending of the Trump Administration, Electric Boat surpassed 16,000 workers in 2018, which was a 25-year high.

I take pride in my personal, responsible, gun ownership. There is no one who will work harder to protect your constitutional rights than I. Our Congress has proven that it knows very little about firearms and this is evident by the legislation it proposes, which puts every American’s right to bear arms in jeopardy. If the police are not funded to protect you and your loved ones, then who?

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
The near future will determine the direction of America…forever. What Washington needs is sound judgement and ideas that benefit both sides of the aisle. This includes less government, the defense of our constitutional rights, and most importantly, a move away from division and hate.
Decisions do not have to be made down party lines. However, they do have to be made in the best interest of “We the People.” Our current Representative does not represent me, or the beliefs of my constituents, which is why I launched my campaign.

My views are conservative, but one cannot discredit all ideas simply because they are put forth by another party. Good ideas can come from anywhere.