Brian Davis: ‘Frustrated by the Professional Political Class’

If you’re a longtime reader, you’ve probably read  some of the interviews I’ve done with candidates from state representative all the way to the U.S. Senate level.  One thing they’ve all shared in common, until now, is their party affiliation:  I’ve never interviewed a Republican candidate before.

Brian Davis is one of four candidates seeking the Republican nomination against first-term Congressman Tim Walz in Minnesota’s First District.  The Mayo Clinic doctor’s candidacy is unique among the four, as he is the only one without previous elected experience.  Davis and I touched base via email for a brief interview, the contents of which can be found below.

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Joe Bodell:  What aspects of your background make you a good candidate for elected office?

Brian Davis:  I am a father, husband and physician.  My experience as a father has reaffirmed my belief in the need of setting a positive, moral example.  I’m disturbed by the lack of character and moral fiber of many of our elected officials in Congress.  I believe they need to be held to a higher standard.

As a candidate and elected official I am determined to see that the principles of responsible and limited government are represented and promoted in Washington, D.C., on behalf of my fellow citizens of the First District of Minnesota. Like many other medical professionals, I have delivered babies, cared for the homeless in public and private hospitals, and those with life-threatening conditions.  Health care consumes nearly 17 percent of our gross domestic product yet there are few in Congress who bring practical knowledge and compassionate experience to Washington in this area.

In addition, I have worked in the energy industry as an engineer and am involved in medical device development.  I understand the importance of the free market and private enterprise for which government is not a substitute.

Read more below the foldJB:  What particular circumstances first gave you the desire to run for Congress?

BD:  The change in representation which occurred in 2006 in our district is not representative of our values.  I was encouraged to enter this race in an effort to change this representation.

In addition, I’ve grown frustrated by the professional political class.  A fundamental problem in Washington is that being a politician has become a career, rather than a means of public service. Instead of re-electing professional politicians, we need to return to a system of electing citizen legislators as our Founding Fathers envisioned.

Fortunately, I am an eternal optimist and I believe together WE can change Washington. As happened in 1994, it will take committed, principled candidates who are more concerned about doing what’s right than doing what
gets them re-elected.

JB:  Do you plan to abide by the Republican endorsement in the race against Tim Walz?

BD:  Yes.

JB:  Admittedly, with several candidates in the race, it’s difficult to keep track of all the issue positions and statements flying around.  But one issue for which it sounds like you’ve taken some flak is your position on stem cell research — can you expound on it a bit?

BD:  The promise of adult stem cell research may yet be realized without resorting to destroying embryos. Like many, I believe that life begins at conception. To my knowledge, most current methods available to do human embryonic stem cell research result in the death of an embryo.  There are other methods available to do stem cell research that does not destroy embryos. Consequently, I believe that stem cell research which results in the intentional destruction of a human embryo should be prohibited.

JB:  Another important issue that’s on many Americans’ (and certainly many Minnesotans’) minds is the continuing violence in Iraq — what are your thoughts on the current state of affairs, and what can the next Congress do to improve the situation there?

BD:  I believe that our nation and allies need to remain on the offense against radical Jihadist’s groups that promote and commit acts of violence.  I await the report this September by our commanders in the field before rendering a view, but, in general, I support our troops and their mission. I do not favor a rapid troop withdrawal from Afghanistan or Iraq. Furthermore, I do not favor a retreat of the U.S. on these fronts and many others.  We should support these democratically elected governments and not let them be undermined by the political agenda in Washington.  Congress plays a very important role by voting for the funding of these efforts.

JB:  What, in your mind, has been Tim Walz’s biggest mistake since taking office this past January?

BD:  He votes to spend the taxpayer’s money on projects that do not directly benefit our district or the nation but can best be described as ‘pork-barrel’.

Congress has a spending problem and Tim Walz is part of that problem, not part of the solution.  Congress’s inability to push itself away from the table and stop spending our money is a threat to the stability of America. We must put our fiscal house in order.

JB:  What’s your campaign’s core message in a nutshell?

BD:  Government should serve the people.