Politics & Government

Election 2012: Evan Feinberg Answers Your Questions

The Peters Township native will face five-term incumbent Rep. Tim Murphy on April 24.

A graduate will face 10-year incumbent Rep. Tim Murphy in the Pennsylvania spring primary on April 24. 

Although it's his first campaign, he's not new to politics. Evan Feinberg, 28, of Upper St. Clair, moved to Washington D.C. after college to work with the Heritage Foundation. He served as Sen. Tom Coburn's (R-OK) legislative assistant for Health Policy and, in 2010, took the position of top policy aide in Sen. Rand Paul's (R-KY) office.

He will challenge Congressman Murphy to represent the 18th District of Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives. Feinberg took some time to answer to questions we thought were important to readers pre-election.

Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch: What makes you more qualified than 10-year incumbent Rep. Tim Murphy? 

EF: My entire career has been spent fighting for conservative principles. I gained valuable experience working as a policy researcher at the Heritage Foundation and then as a senior aide to U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, and most recently, with U.S. Senator Rand Paul. I would be privileged to use those policy skills and institutional knowledge to serve the people of western Pennsylvania in Congress. The number one qualification for United States Congress is an individual's ability to preserve, protect and defend the United States Constitution. Unfortunately, the incumbent has put his own political self-interests before the country. My most important qualification is a focus on the next generation instead of the next election.

Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch: You're a very young candidate—what do you tell those people who aren't sure about your experience? 

EF: Washington, D.C. is full of people who have been there for decades and have run our country into the ground. Most people I talk to are excited that someone from a new generation is entering politics—a generation that will be saddled with massive debt. My young son, Luke, owes $50,000 in government debt—by no fault of his own. The time is now for my generation to step up and lead. Besides, I have done more to further conservative principles during my career than Tim Murphy ever has or ever will. 

Patch: What are your thoughts on saving the , and the targeted realignment and personnel layoffs at the neighboring 171st Refueling Wing? 

EF: We can and should save the 911th by convincing the Department of Defense of the value of the Air Wing to our national security. The 911th isn't a jobs program, and its entire purpose is directly tied to its role in keeping us safe. It's important, however, to realize why this base is being closed. It's not a "BRAC" closing. It's being closed because Tim Murphy and other politicians have been unwilling to set any budget priorities, instead voting to authorize President Obama $2.4 trillion more debt while giving him unilateral authority to slash $500 billion in defense spending. The 911th is in jeopardy because our fiscal house is in complete disarray, yet politicians point the finger for this problem at everyone but themselves. I would promote specific spending cuts and reforms across the government that would eliminate the need to close the 911th. In fact, I've published a comprehensive budget on my website to get our fiscal house in order. It is available at evanfeinberg.com

Patch: What changes would you like to see if you take office? 

EF: We need to limit government, free our economy and restore honest government. I have outlined my specific ideas in a 23-page budget and economic plan I titled, "Turning the Lights Back On: Restoring the Shining City." I want to see a return to constitutionally limited government. I want to see a laser-like focus on our national debt—which means real spending reductions and entitlement reforms. I want to see a pro-growth tax code—ideally a flat tax—that would encourage economic freedom and economic growth. Finally, I want to see term-limits instituted to turn politicians' focus away from re-election and toward the best interests of the country. 

Patch: What are your thoughts on job creation? Marcellus Shale drilling?

EF: To create jobs we need to free the economy. Our country has experienced wealth and prosperity like no country ever has. Our country is great because it was based on a phenomenal idea—that individuals could govern themselves. The American experiment of limited government has led to unprecedented economic growth. We're wealthy not because of our natural resources, but because we are better than anyone has ever been at getting those resources out of the ground and using them to innovate and create wealth. Marcellus Shale drilling is a great example—innovative techniques coupled with western PA's vast resources mean our region is poised to become one of the most prosperous regions in the world, as long as the government doesn't tax and regulate the industry to death.

Patch: Have you received any big endorsements? If so, who?

EF: I have been endorsed by:

  • U.S. Senator Rand Paul 
  • U.S. Senator Tom Coburn
  • FreedomWorks (an influential national conservative organization)
  • Republican Liberty Caucus
  • PA State Sen. John Eichelberger
  • PA State Sen. Mike Folmer
  • Citizens United
  • Associated Builders and Contractors 

I also have received the personal support of many of the leaders of local grassroots organizations and tea party groups. The groundswell of support for my campaign has been so encouraging. And it stands in stark contrast to the limited establishment support my opponent has garnered—not one of his Congressional colleagues has publicly endorsed his candidacy.

To learn more about Feinberg, revisit our Q&A from November .

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