31st District candidates work for votes in Sept. 14 primary

Name Ron Poliquin
Age 32
Political affiliation Republican
Occupation/military/employment experience Attorney
Family Wife, Maria Poliquin; son, Ronin Poliquin, age 3; daughter, Lillian Poliquin, age 9 months
Academic education Eureka College, B.S.; Widener Law School, J.D.
Prior political experience Candidate for state treasurer 2002; campaign manager for Charlie Copeland; former 31st District chair and RNC delegate
Campaign website or email www.ronpoliquin.com

Why are you running for state representative, and what are the issues you feel are important?
I’m running because our state government needs real change. I have the political courage to take on the insiders, cronies and special interests. We must elect a Republican with the political courage to stop the government’s insatiable appetite for our tax dollars. I won’t be afraid to challenge the politicians and special interests to ensure Delaware does not fall into the same category as New Jersey or the federal government. Dover deserves a leader who stands up for taxpayers.

While Delaware’s government is increasing taxes, there are no signs of improvement in our local economy as businesses large and small close or re-trench and families struggle to keep their heads above water. Our political leaders are bereft of ideas to control government growth, which means more tax increases for you and every other hard-working Delawarean — that’s right, an ever increasing burden will be placed on those of us who are already trimming budgets to make ends meet.

I am seeking to represent our district because I love Delaware and I am worried our way of life is in jeopardy by the “tax and spend” politicians only controlled either by their own self-interest or the special interests rather than what’s right for taxpayers. Our state will only change with new leadership.

Name Ronald D. “Ron” Smith
Age 59
Political affiliation Republican
Occupation/military/employment experience Attorney, Partner Hudson, Jones, Jaywork & Fisher (1979-present); economic analyst (1976-1979); insurance underwriter (1973-1976)
Family Wife, Alice; sons Mason, age 33 and Kevin, age 30
Academic education Delaware Law School, J.D. (1979); University of Delaware, B.A. (1973); Majors: economics and political science
Prior political experience Delaware House of Representatives: chief attorney to Republican caucus (1982-present); Kent County commissioner (1991-2006); National Association of Counties Board of Directors (1998-2006); Kent County Republican Chairman (1987-1989)
Campaign website or email www.ronsmithde.com

Why are you running for state representative, and what are the issues you feel are important?
The primary reason is because the state budget has grown disproportionately to that of taxpayers’ income. Quite simply, we cannot afford the state government we have.

The Democrat incumbent has voted to create a death tax, to increase personal income tax rates, and to increase almost every user and license fee on the books. At the same time, he voted to cut state employee pay by 2.5%. State employee’s health and other costs have increased, resulting in lowering their standard of living.

I do not support the death tax or the other increases and feel user fees should reflect the actual cost to provide the service, not more.

We need jobs — not tax increases. So I have signed the Americans for Tax Reform “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” showing I do not support increasing taxes, especially in a recession.

I have always been a financially conservative individual and believe the state and every level of government should be run like each and every one of us runs our household or business … within its means. I do not believe you raise taxes to meet ever-increasing government spending. At the same time, the state of Delaware has a responsibility to be fair to its employees and not cut their salaries.

As your county commissioner, I cut property taxes, built the county’s financial reserves from $800,000 to $24 million and implemented policies for the county to “pay as you go” for parks, buildings, retirement benefits, etc., without creating unnecessary debt.