SC1 Candidate Profile: Jonathan Hoffman

Name: Jonathan Hoffman

Town of Residence: James Island

Current/Most Recent Job Title: Adjunct Professor, JAG, small business owner

Employer: The Citadel, self-employed

Previously Held Public Office: N/A

See what the other GOP candidates said here.

Biggest Issue Facing District 1: Jobs/economy.

Hoffman Solution: 

To strengthen our economy so all South Carolinians can find meaningful work, we must address tax and regulatory reform.  I understand that taxes inhibit growth, and by reforming the tax code – lowering taxes, and closing loopholes and deductions to the lowest possible amount – we can spur more investment and economic activity. While I support all efforts to reform the tax code, I will focus our energies on the impactful reform efforts that can be most quickly adopted - not relying on plans that would require constitutional amendments.  We need tax reform now - not years or decades from now - as it is a catalyst for our economic growth. 

I am alarmed with the burdens of excessive regulations and government bureaucracy that are creating an inefficient and liberty suppressing centrally controlled economy. I will vote to reduce these job-crushing regulatory burdens on businesses and individuals. Congress must eliminate or streamline as many as possible.  Companies shouldn't have to ask for permission to add jobs and grow the economy.  Small businesses shouldn't be spending thousands of dollars meeting the onerous impositions of a far off federal government.  What once took days or weeks now takes months or years - or in the worst case, decades - to complete because of government interference. This must change.

2nd Biggest Issue Facing District 1: Debt/Deficit.

Hoffman Solution: 

I would support Balanced Budget and Line Item Veto Amendments.  These would dramatically restrict the ability of the federal government to spend more money than it takes in. It would also give the Executive Branch a greater ability to limit pork barrel spending. It's time we take steps to prioritize our spending programs and eliminate projects that do not deserve to be funded by debt foisted upon our children and grandchildren. I would also work to adopt needed entitlement reform that would address the exploding costs of these programs and ensure their sustainability. It is imperative that that we maintain benefits for today's retirees, but that we must also make adjustments to the programs for those under 50 in order to preserve these programs for future beneficiaries.  Meaningful reform demands an honest and open discussion with voters and recipients - not fear mongering or lies.

3rd Biggest Issue Facing District 1: Veterans' Issues.

Hoffman Solution: 

As a reserve Air Force JAG assigned to Joint Base Charleston I work closely with our military members, veterans and their families on the many issues they face in service to their country. It is important that we honor the commitments we made to them when they agreed to put their lives on the line for us. With regard to our younger veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, I will work in Congress to expand education and employment opportunities to make sure those who served are able to find fulfilling work when returning to the civilian world.  We must also make sure we continue to provide medical and mental health support for those who have suffered in service to our country - regardless of sacrifices we must make elsewhere. At the same time we must ensure that our fighting forces are funded and capable of defending our interests anywhere in the world.

Why are you the best person to represent District 1 in Washington, DC?

I am one of only two candidates in this race to have senior experience in Washington, and I am the only one to have had success accomplishing tough changes while there.

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