By Rick Dandes
DALLAS — Not even an impending snowstorm could dim the enthusiasm of businessman David Madeira, who on Tuesday officially announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District seat.
The storm prevented him from completing a bus tour of northeast Pennsylvania, scheduled to wind up in Lewisburg. “I wanted to be there, but was advised against it, which disappointed me,” he said.
His message is simple. “I’m running because I believe the time is right for a businessman and not a professional politician to represent the people of this region in Washington,” he said from his home Tuesday night.
Madeira pulls no punches when discussing the incumbent, two-term Rep. Chris Carney, a Democrat. “I’m making no personal attacks on him, but it’s his record I strongly disagree with. He likes to wave his Blue Dog credentials, but one year ago, he voted for President Obama’s stimulus plan that not only brought no stimulus, but saw unemployment jump to over 10.1 percent. I’m alarmed at the deficit. And Carney has to take responsibility for his votes. Is this who we want representing us?” he asked.
Madeira has limited political experience, but that’s OK with him. He is a former chiropractor and now is an entrepreneur and business consultant. Madeira said his experience in dealing with people, insurance companies and government regulations would be beneficial in the nation’s Capitol.
It was the tea party movement that first inspired him to run for office.
“It’s a grass-roots movement comprised of independent thinkers, businessmen, doctors, but the common thread in the group is how people feel disconnected with their congressmen. It doesn’t seem like Congress is listening to us,” he said.
His top priority, if elected, would be the economy and bringing jobs to the area. “I know how to do that,” he said. “I’ve run a business. I’ve hired people. Government must get out of the way of business. We must welcome in new businesses to the area, help them survive by cutting taxes. The solution to our problems is not more government programs.”
First, he has to win the Republican nomination.
The conservative Republican joins Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk, former U.S. Attorney Tom Marino and Queens College accounting professor Steven Solieri in the primary race. All four are looking to win the GOP nomination and unseat Carney.
“By March, we should know who the frontrunners are,” Madeira said. He believes he is best suited to take on Carney. “Look at his voting record,” Madeira said, adding that he has no doubt Carney is a liberal, but tries to sell his conservative image to voters when he needs votes.
Meanwhile Josh Drobnyk, Carney’s campaign spokesman, said the congressman “is proud to have fought hard to bring investments to our region that boost employment, provide improvements to our region’s hospitals and infrastructure and enable our community’s law enforcement officers to have the equipment they need to keep us safe. He stands up for the needs of our region every day in Congress and will never stop fighting for the many worthy projects throughout our community.”
