Editor's note: The Morning Call solicited comments from candidates in the Lehigh Valley area's contested primary elections. The three Republican candidates running for the nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Susan Wilde in November say what they believe is the biggest problem facing the 7th Congressional District and how they will solve it. They were asked to discuss whether they would like to work on it. This week, their answers will be published alphabetically by last name. Opinions from the state election will be published next week.
When I graduated from Northwestern Lehigh High School in 1988, the outdoor ceremony was a beautiful day. But a local farmer needed to bale the hay, and he kept driving his tractor back and forth in the field behind the stadium. We listened intently to the speeches while listening to the rattling of agricultural machinery, and watched the proceedings proceed through the clouds of dust.
I grew up in New Tripoli, the most rural part of Lehigh County. When we played sports with local teams, our opponents called us “corncob highs” and teased us for having more cows than people. Perhaps that's true, and those were simpler times. But whether I'm at a church in my hometown, a sports club in Northampton, or a community meeting in Allentown, I hear the same thing. People are worried that we are losing our way of life.
Progressive policies deserve a lot of flak. Washington Democrats are flooding our economy with trillions of dollars in debt, causing historic inflation and damaging our public finances. They disparaged our military, vilified our police force, and tarnished our culture. And they are opening our borders, creating the most pressing national security threat we face.
But career politicians also have a responsibility, and that's a bipartisan issue. They are elected to office and never quit. They earn pensions, perks, and privileges, making politics not a duty but a means of livelihood. They are of no use to us. They serve themselves.
I'm not a career politician. I am an outsider who has never held elected office. But I have experience with the most important issues facing our country, and I would like to offer it to you. I'll start by applying my 28 years of military experience to keeping you safe. I've been an Army infantryman, an Air Force intelligence officer, and he's been a squadron commander on four combat zone deployments. I know what it takes to ensure a safe community.
In Washington, I will be one of the highest-ranking and longest-serving veterans in Congress. That is why I am uniquely qualified to modernize our armed forces, deter our enemies, and restore the principle of “peace through strength.” I work to secure our borders and protect your families from domestic threats such as human traffickers, drug traffickers, and criminal organizations. And we are honored to have the support of her four largest law enforcement agencies in the Lehigh Valley.
I would never recklessly call for military action. Those of us who fought in the war know this all too well, and my son also served overseas in the military. There is a simple test to determine whether you support the use of military force. If it's worth sending my son into harm's way, I'll consider it. Otherwise, I will not send your sons and daughters either.
When it comes to the economy, I'll use my business management experience to manage federal spending, lower energy costs, and create good jobs for you and your family.
Nineteen years ago, my wife, Susan, and I started a company called Derricker Strategies in our basement. Since then, we've created or retained 100 jobs, managed $300 million worth of broadband investments, and helped dozens of organizations improve their cybersecurity.
Our biggest impact is in education. We have upgraded internet access for hundreds of schools, including 46 schools in the greater Lehigh Valley region. And we've saved taxpayers millions of dollars through innovations in group purchasing. Parliament will work to improve the efficiency of public services and save money.
Finally, I will fight for your family just as I have fought for mine. Susan and I raised three sons who graduated from Northwestern Lehigh and went on to college and the military. We are proud of our sons and tried hard to raise them correctly. But we didn't just invest in our children. We've invested in our entire community.
I am trained as a Christian minister and am a counselor to local families. I have spent 1,000 hours volunteering with her in the past five years mentoring 20 high school students. And I've spent countless days in the gym and on the field coaching youth sports for 20 seasons. I know that a strong family is the basis of our society, and I will always uphold the values of my homeland.
We need change in Washington.
As a member of Congress, I oppose progressive policies that harm our country and career politicians who weaken our country. I will work to cut spending, strengthen our military, secure our borders, and produce domestic energy. Then I will go back to my place and serve others as the Founders intended.
Nutripoli still grows a lot of corn, and there may still be more cows than humans. But we also raise common-sense conservatives who love God, family, and country. It is a crop that our country desperately needs. I will deliver that to you.
Kevin Derricker of Heidelberg Township is a military veteran, business owner, and Republican candidate for the 7th Congressional District.
Next Wednesday: Ryan McKenzie: Harrisburg experience will help craft legislation to address illegal immigration and the economy
Coming Thursday: Maria Montero: I want to regain faith in the American Dream.
