Jaime Vasquez

Details

Office: U.S. House of Representatives, District 3

Party: Republican

Age: 60

Employer and position: journeyman metal fabricator and owner of Artisan Ironworks

Education: apprenticeship and some community college and university classes

Political experience: ran against John Huppenthal for state Senate in 1992

Top priorities: create jobs, fund job training, secure the border using technology, repeal Obamacare, restructure Social Security

How would you use your position as an elected official to help businesses create jobs in Southern Arizona?
    As a business man one of my responsibilities is to coordinate projects between various  companies that create employment opportunities for local businesses.   As an elected official, the position will open doors in the private sector which would allow me to create quality long term employment in Southern Arizona.  

Should the qualifications for Medicaid or AHCCCS be broadened to make more people eligible?
    I do not believe the qualifications for Medicaid or AHCCCS should be broadened.  I believe the current qualifications are too lenient already.  We need a more stringent process because we have too many people on assistance who shouldn't be on the program at all.

If you were in a position to vote on SB1070, would you have voted for or against it?
    I would have voted for SB1070 because I believe in the Rule of Law.  I have the ultimate respect for the people who have become citizens through the correct process, they deserve to be Americans.

In a world of finite resources, what if anything would you be willing to cut to better fund education?
    I would evaluate every governmental department from a to z for waste in spending.  I would critique this process the same way I run my company.  The money recovered would be a good start.
This money would go to kids from any background to attend the school of their choice.

Should local government fight to keep the Rosemont Copper Mine out or encourage the company to stay?
    As a businessman, I would fight to keep a company like Rosemont in Tucson.  We have to negotiate with Rosemont on issues like the environment and , most important, the people who will be affected long term.
    
What is the most important issue in the race?
    The most important issue for me is Job Creation!  I believe southern Arizona can lead the rest of the country in restarting our economy.  The Energy Industry is the answer.  Arizona is rich in solar power, nuclear power and hydro generation.  
    Solar power is a viable source of energy.  We need more research and better technology in order for this source of energy to become a quality investment for companies and the consumer.
    Hydro generation is already a good source of clean, efficient energy.  Water is a precious resource in Southern Arizona.  A system can be developed  to recover water used  throughout the state through agriculture and other forms of water utilization.
    I believe the time has come to tap into the ocean.  By building a pipeline from the ocean to Yuma, using Yuma as a main distribution hub, we can secure a constant source of water to Arizona.  The creation of the water distribution system would also require a desalination system which would create long term quality jobs.
     The population in Arizona is increasing.  To meet the needs of the consumer, the Power Industry must be modernized.  I believe we should build a Nuclear Power Plant in Southern Arizona and another in Yuma.  The Palo Verde Nuclear Plant is the model Nuclear Plant in the United States.  Two new nuclear power plants will bring efficient clean energy and will generate jobs and millions of dollars into our economy.
    I believe that the private sector, with minimal government intervention, can achieve these projects.