Andy Baan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Baan served in the U.S. Navy from 1980 to 2010. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1980. He earned a J.D. from the Dickinson School of Law in 1987. He earned a graduate degree from Norfolk State University in 2016. Baan's career experience includes working in computer security, as a prosecutor, and as a business program manager. He has been affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout, with the Military Officers Association of America, with the Symponicity Board of Directors, and 200+ Men.[1][2]
Andy Baan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Baan's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
I am a husband and a father, concerned about the future of our country and what kind of country we are leaving to our children. 30 yr Navy veteran, former Commanding Officer selected six times, Iraq War veteran. Most of my time in the Navy was as a reservist, so I've held a number of other valuable positions, including in law enforcement as a former felony prosecutor and program manager for a defense contractor. Foreign policy is important to me, as a result of having been to 39 countries, lived in 6 of those, and worked in 4 of those (Iraq, Korea, Djibouti and Saudi Arabia) and having been assigned to NATO twice in addition to Multi-National Corp-Iraq. I care about the prosperity of Virginians, including those who have not been born. Values matter to me; for example, creating debt that our children will get no benefit from but will have to pay back is generational theft.
Restoring the prosperity of Virginians. Creating jobs that allow everyone to have a role now, and demanding fiscal responsibility for the sake of our children's future.
Restoring faith in our country. The United States is a force for good in the world and has been since our founding. We need to protect our institutions, including our system of government described by the Constitution, and particularly what makes us all equal, an election system with integrity that gives us all an equal voice. We also need to restore the credibility of our government and stop politicizing every issue.
Education is what gives us all opportunity, and the ability to compete in an increasingly international labor market. We need high standards, and ensure that zip codes don't decide a person's future--school choice will provide both through competition.
Fiscal Responsibility-we must take care of our children's future
Educational excellence: high standards without indoctrination
Economic growth that provides opportunities for all, and an ability to repay our debt
Strong defense based on the foreign threats we face
Foreign policy, recognizing the threats facing our country, and building alliances to counter those threats
Veterans' issues-we must take care of the people who were willing to fight for us
Protection of our God given rights named in the Constitution--of religion, of speech, of the right to bear arms (2A)
Protection of our Natural Rights named in the Declaration of Independence: life (I am pro-life), liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Protection of our country because without borders, we don't have one. I favor high walls and wide gates (legal immigration)
Protection of our Constitutional form of government--we are a republic, and our representatives (who we can vote for or against) need to do their jobs, not push their work onto regulatory bodies (which we can not vote for or against)
Bill Armstrong. He was firm in his convictions, but was named the most polite legislator. From an article about him from Newsmax upon his death:
"But Armstrong was unique among high profile conservative politicians in that despite his hard-core economic conservatism and anti-Communist stance, despite his firm commitment to the right-to-life, he was rarely — if ever — attacked by Democratic opponents or anyone on the left.
His gentle manners, booming laugh, and steadfast refusal to say a harsh word about anyone transcended any controversy his philosophical views would otherwise engender.
As veteran GOP political consultant Matt Keelen put it, "Bill Armstrong was a compassionate conservative before it was cool.""
“I’ll remember him as Mr. Integrity,” Brown said. “His example helped a generation understand what true service to others is all about.”
"He made himself clear without making himself offensive. He was friendly, direct, civil, ambitious and kind — a rare combination."
Honesty-tell the truth to the people you represent
Integrity-act in a manner consistent with your beliefs. You will serve the people best if you don't lie to them and if your actions are consistent with what you say and believe.
Preparation-know the issues that you will face in committee.
A safer country internationally because of a stronger military and a realistic foreign policy; a fiscally responsible country that paid its bills instead of demanding our children's children pay our bills; and a legacy of love for our country and each other.
I remember the Mercury space launches, then President Kennedy being shot. I remember them being significant events in history, but I was too young to understand and appreciate their context.
My interest in foreign affairs began early. When I was in 5th grade, in late 1968 or early 1969, my Dad came home and told us we were moving to Germany. I remember asking about the invasion of Czechoslovakia which had occurred a few months earlier. I remember knowing about it because my question shocked my parents, and their reaction is in my memory.
I delivered newspapers for two years starting in 8th grade (I lived in Germany for 6th, 7th and the beginning of 8th grade so I couldn't have started earlier) before I worked in restaurants until I went to college.
Changing careers-I was a lawyer in Colorado when I was recalled to serve at NATO in Norfolk after 9/11. I met a wonderful woman who is now my wife who wanted to remain in Virginia. With no law license, I had to figure out jobs that would support my family so I've been a defense contractor which is subject to ups and downs, to starting a new career path in cybersecurity so I could be home with my family after missing half of my youngest son's life due to being abroad. I am grateful for the foreign experiences, and grateful for the periods of unemployment that keep me grounded. I've been blessed with being able to create multiple careers.
Our American government is a gift from the founders, providing us with a Declaration of Independence that established our core values--life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that all of us are created equal. They provided us with a Constitution that was designed to protect those values. The U.S. House of Representatives is the part of the Federal government that is closest to the people. The House is where the voice of the people is supposed to be most directly heard. When the voices of the American people are put forward together, as they should be in the House, the policies that are most desired by the people should be expressed by a majority vote of the members of the House. I think this process is more important than the result of the vote. What makes the House unique is that the members should want to advocate strongly for their constituents, and then rely on the process to provide the right outcome.
Economically and militarily competing with China. There is no reason we cannot co-exist. We must stay true to our values of equal treatment under the law. We must be fiscally responsible. We must build a military and alliances that can respond to Chinese threats We must empower the next generations to compete in the world with second-to-none educational opportunities. We must engage in basic research to continue to be the center of innovation in the world.
Yes. It is short so campaigning doesn't stop--which is the best reason for members and challengers to remain close to the people to best understand their concerns.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Baan submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on October 10, 2021.
I am a husband and a father, concerned about the future of our country and what kind of country we are leaving to our children. 30 yr Navy veteran, former Commanding Officer selected six times, Iraq War veteran. Most of my time in the Navy was as a reservist, so I've held a number of other valuable positions, including in law enforcement as a former felony prosecutor and program manager for a defense contractor. Foreign policy is important to me, as a result of having been to 39 countries, lived in 6 of those, and worked in 4 of those (Iraq, Korea, Djibouti and Saudi Arabia) and having been assigned to NATO twice in addition to Multi-National Corp-Iraq. I care about the prosperity of Virginians, including those who have not been born. Values matter to me; for example, creating debt that our children will get no benefit from but will have to pay back is generational theft.
Restoring the prosperity of Virginians. Creating jobs that allow everyone to have a role now, and demanding fiscal responsibility for the sake of our children's future.
Restoring faith in our country. The United States is a force for good in the world and has been since our founding. We need to protect our institutions, including our system of government described by the Constitution, and particularly what makes us all equal, an election system with integrity that gives us all an equal voice. We also need to restore the credibility of our government and stop politicizing every issue.
Education is what gives us all opportunity, and the ability to compete in an increasingly international labor market. We need high standards, and ensure that zip codes don't decide a person's future--school choice will provide both through competition.
Fiscal Responsibility-we must take care of our children's future
Educational excellence: high standards without indoctrination
Economic growth that provides opportunities for all, and an ability to repay our debt
Strong defense based on the foreign threats we face
Foreign policy, recognizing the threats facing our country, and building alliances to counter those threats
Veterans' issues-we must take care of the people who were willing to fight for us
Protection of our God given rights named in the Constitution--of religion, of speech, of the right to bear arms (2A)
Protection of our Natural Rights named in the Declaration of Independence: life (I am pro-life), liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Protection of our country because without borders, we don't have one. I favor high walls and wide gates (legal immigration)
Protection of our Constitutional form of government--we are a republic, and our representatives (who we can vote for or against) need to do their jobs, not push their work onto regulatory bodies (which we can not vote for or against)
Bill Armstrong. He was firm in his convictions, but was named the most polite legislator. From an article about him from Newsmax upon his death:
"But Armstrong was unique among high profile conservative politicians in that despite his hard-core economic conservatism and anti-Communist stance, despite his firm commitment to the right-to-life, he was rarely — if ever — attacked by Democratic opponents or anyone on the left.
His gentle manners, booming laugh, and steadfast refusal to say a harsh word about anyone transcended any controversy his philosophical views would otherwise engender.
As veteran GOP political consultant Matt Keelen put it, "Bill Armstrong was a compassionate conservative before it was cool.""
“I’ll remember him as Mr. Integrity,” Brown said. “His example helped a generation understand what true service to others is all about.”
"He made himself clear without making himself offensive. He was friendly, direct, civil, ambitious and kind — a rare combination."
Honesty-tell the truth to the people you represent
Integrity-act in a manner consistent with your beliefs. You will serve the people best if you don't lie to them and if your actions are consistent with what you say and believe.
Preparation-know the issues that you will face in committee.
A safer country internationally because of a stronger military and a realistic foreign policy; a fiscally responsible country that paid its bills instead of demanding our children's children pay our bills; and a legacy of love for our country and each other.
I remember the Mercury space launches, then President Kennedy being shot. I remember them being significant events in history, but I was too young to understand and appreciate their context.
My interest in foreign affairs began early. When I was in 5th grade, in late 1968 or early 1969, my Dad came home and told us we were moving to Germany. I remember asking about the invasion of Czechoslovakia which had occurred a few months earlier. I remember knowing about it because my question shocked my parents, and their reaction is in my memory.
I delivered newspapers for two years starting in 8th grade (I lived in Germany for 6th, 7th and the beginning of 8th grade so I couldn't have started earlier) before I worked in restaurants until I went to college.
Changing careers-I was a lawyer in Colorado when I was recalled to serve at NATO in Norfolk after 9/11. I met a wonderful woman who is now my wife who wanted to remain in Virginia. With no law license, I had to figure out jobs that would support my family so I've been a defense contractor which is subject to ups and downs, to starting a new career path in cybersecurity so I could be home with my family after missing half of my youngest son's life due to being abroad. I am grateful for the foreign experiences, and grateful for the periods of unemployment that keep me grounded. I've been blessed with being able to create multiple careers.
Our American government is a gift from the founders, providing us with a Declaration of Independence that established our core values--life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that all of us are created equal. They provided us with a Constitution that was designed to protect those values. The U.S. House of Representatives is the part of the Federal government that is closest to the people. The House is where the voice of the people is supposed to be most directly heard. When the voices of the American people are put forward together, as they should be in the House, the policies that are most desired by the people should be expressed by a majority vote of the members of the House. I think this process is more important than the result of the vote. What makes the House unique is that the members should want to advocate strongly for their constituents, and then rely on the process to provide the right outcome.
Economically and militarily competing with China. There is no reason we cannot co-exist. We must stay true to our values of equal treatment under the law. We must be fiscally responsible. We must build a military and alliances that can respond to Chinese threats We must empower the next generations to compete in the world with second-to-none educational opportunities. We must engage in basic research to continue to be the center of innovation in the world.
Yes. It is short so campaigning doesn't stop--which is the best reason for members and challengers to remain close to the people to best understand their concerns.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Baan submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on August 27, 2021.
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