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NAME: Sean Casten
POSITION FOR WHICH YOU ARE A CANDIDATE:
US Congress District (6)
1. Why are you seeking this position?
Climate change is the existential challenge of our generation. Yet Donald Trump and GOP leadership deny that climate change even exists. They are actively advancing policies that harm our planet and our economy. The mantra of ignoring facts in the face of politics shapes the entire Republican platform, from tax policy to healthcare to gun control. I’ve spent 20 years fighting climate change – as a scientist, then as an engineer, and most recently as a clean energy entrepreneur. All of those jobs required accepting and working with facts. We need elected officials who rely on facts – not fear – to lead. We don’t have that right now, and that has got to change.
2. What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?
Early in my career, I realized that America’s clean energy sector was limited by business factors, not technology. I became an entrepreneur to build the sector and make a difference. Along the way, I realized that some barriers to clean energy technology were caused by outdated policies that didn’t match the needs of a 21st-century energy economy. That led me to found an advocacy organization dedicated to promoting greener, alternative energy. My record of identifying problems and innovating for our future is something I hope to put to work in Washington. My goal is not to know everything, but be an honest public servant who will bring a strong moral compass, a consistent vision, and a talented, trusted team of advisors to every decision.
3. What will be your greatest challenge if elected?
American Democracy at its best, is driven by people engaged in passionate arguments about the role of government and the need to balance the needs of today with our obligations to future generations. I respect people who stand up for their core values. But today, too many legislators are not inspired by principle. Instead, they simply make things up, hoping that lies will generate enough noise to drown out truth. This is dangerous, and difficult for me to respect. Frankly, I’ve never worked in a place where ignoring truth could extend one’s career. Serving in Congress will be a challenging experience (to put it mildly) to find ways to work ways to work with some – like Donald Trump – who have built their career on dishonesty.
Will you attend the 3/6 Dundee candidate forum? Yes, I will attend the forum
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