Chris Russomanno
Libertarian | New Jersey
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Chris Russomanno
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 3
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
The College of New Jersey, Ewing, Bachelor's, 2002
WORK & MILITARY
United States Marine Corps, Sergeant, 1990-1995
AFFILIATIONS
Knights of Columbus, member, Elk's
member, John Birch Society, member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Taxation is theft. The government should not be able to forcefully take money from one person and give it to another for any reason. People should donate their time and money to causes which they believe in.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Disagree
The government should stay out of medicine altogether. A person's medical decisions should be between a doctor and a patient. Any safety or quality standards can be administered by independent rating services.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Regarding the issue of abortion, the government should be kept out of the matter completely. Since taxation is theft, the government should not be able to forcefully take money from one person and give it to another for any reason. People should donate their time and money to causes which they believe in. People can also be the change they wish to see in the world and take the time to help a young woman in need.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
Regarding the issue of abortion, the government should be kept out of the matter completely. Since taxation is theft, the government should not be able to forcefully take money from one person and give it to another for any reason. People should donate their time and money to causes which they believe in. People can also be the change they wish to see in the world and take the time to help a young woman in need.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
I would support H.R. 8421 the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act sponsored by Representative Thomas Massie. The Federal Reserve creates money out of nothing / debt and is responsible for the hidden tax called inflation.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
Student loan forgiveness is unfair for those who paid their debt or those who did not go to college because they could not afford it. You will have poor and working-class people paying for someone else's education. Costs are high as colleges admit students and award the loans; however, the loans are provided by the government. If the student defaults on the loan the government and taxpayers are stuck with the bill. Colleges should be responsible for the defaulted loans not taxpayers.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
Taxation is theft. Ideally the government would not be able to forcefully take money from someone to give it to another. The same is true for where the government chooses to invest. People should be able to keep their money and invest it as they see fit.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The first Amendment to the United States Constitution reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." People should be free to believe and worship, or not, as they see fit.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
A person should be free to use their property as they see fit as long as they do not use first strike force, coercion, or aggression against others.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Any government entity including government run public schools should stay out of healthcare altogether. However, a private entity (school or employer) should be able to make whatever requirements they want.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. Getting rid of government involvement in healthcare (regulations and licensing) would reduce the cost of healthcare. Allowing competition and the free market to operate would also reduce costs. However, many Americans have been putting into the system and have been promised healthcare. We should keep our promises and provide them with the healthcare they have already paid for through taxation.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely. We should avoid entangling alliances and not go abroad looking for monsters to fight. Getting involved in foreign conflicts impoverishes Americans as we are taxed to fight someone else's war. If private individuals feel strongly about a conflict, they can donate their time and money to the cause. They can also go fight in the conflict themselves and leave the rest of us out of it.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Neutral
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely. We should avoid entangling alliances and not go abroad looking for monsters to fight. Getting involved in foreign conflicts impoverishes Americans as we are taxed to fight someone else's war. If private individuals feel strongly about any issue, they can donate their time and money to the cause. We should also end all foreign aid.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
Many young people are ineligible to join the military due to obesity and drug use than has been the case in the past. The type and tempo of military operations, lack of proper supplies and gear all lead to service members discontentment with their job. Furthermore, thousands of service members commit suicide each year. Also, the military forced out many servicemembers who refused to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Neutral
In a perfect world, all property would be privatized. The property owner could invite whomever they wanted onto their property. Property owners would choose who their neighbors would be. Now, however, much of the property in the United States is public property. Through taxation we pay the government to protect us and our property. With the influx of people coming into the country the government is choosing who our neighbors are and are not protecting us or our property.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
In a perfect world, all property would be privatized. The property owner could invite whomever they wanted onto their property. Property owners would choose who their neighbors would be. Now, however, much of the property in the United States is public property. Through taxation we pay the government to protect us and our property. With the influx of people coming into the country the government is choosing who our neighbors are and are not protecting us or our property well.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I would also like to remove the government from education completely and allow people to educate their children as they see fit.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
I would also like to remove the government from education completely and allow people to educate their children as they see fit.
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
I would remove government involvement in marriage altogether. The government has no business telling people who they can love or make a life with. That should be left up to the individual to decide.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian. I believe that I should love God first and then love my neighbor as myself. I have a daily program of prayer, Bible readings and meditation. I also try to make it to church on Sunday.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Disagree
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Agree
If the owner of private property, or members of a private entity (sports club, social club etc.), want men and women to compete together or be in the same space then that is their decision to make.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
I am a Libertarian and follow the Non-Aggression Principle which stipulates that people can do as they please as long as they do not use first strike force, aggression, or coercion against others. People should not lie, cheat or steal and should keep their promises. We apply these same standards to the government as well.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
If government has any role, it is to protect its citizens from aggression.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
no
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
no
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Choose not to answer
Policing, or security services, should be privatized. People could choose the police services that best fit their needs. If a company did not please them they could pay another which provided them with the service they required. More policing companies would foster competition which would improve policing overall as well as foster innovation. Now the government has a monopoly on the delivery of police services.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
There should be no restrictions on our second amendment rights.
