Joe Vess

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Joe Vess

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 4, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Trident University International, 2020

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

2004 - 2019

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Master trainer

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Joe Vess (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Arizona's 5th Congressional District. He lost as a write-in in the Republican primary on August 4, 2020.

Vess completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Joe Vess was born at Beale Air Force Base in California. Vess served in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2019. He earned a degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2014. He earned a bachelor's degree from Trident University International in 2020. Vess' career experience includes working as a master trainer, a law enforcement officer, a combat military police patrolman, a patrol supervisor, a recruiting station commander, a recruiting first sergeant, a recruiting operations manager, and in detainee operations with U.S. Army Recruiting Command. He has been affiliated with the National Rifle Association, the Kiwanis International Service Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the National Society of Leadership & Success.

Elections

2020

See also: Arizona's 5th Congressional District election, 2020

Arizona's 5th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 4 Republican primary)

Arizona's 5th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 4 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Arizona District 5

Incumbent Andy Biggs defeated Joan Greene and Karen Stephens in the general election for U.S. House Arizona District 5 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Andy Biggs (R)	58.9	262,414
		Joan Greene (D)	41.1	183,171
	Submit photo	Karen Stephens (R) (Write-in)	0.0	72

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 445,657
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 5

Joan Greene defeated Javier Garcia Ramos and Jonathan Ireland in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 5 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joan Greene	50.0	34,090
		Javier Garcia Ramos	39.4	26,828
	Submit photo	Jonathan Ireland	10.6	7,214

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 68,132
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Nick Murray (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 5

Incumbent Andy Biggs defeated Joe Vess in the Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 5 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Andy Biggs	99.6	104,969
		Joe Vess (Write-in)	0.4	465

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 105,434
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Tyler Pace (R)

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Joe Vess completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Vess' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Joe Vess served in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2019. He served as Military Police for the first 6 years of service, deploying for 27 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The later part of Joe's Army career was spent as part of the US Army Recruiting Command where he served as a Recruiter, Station Commander, First Sergeant, and Master Trainer. Due to medical injuries and conditions sustained from service, Joe was medically separated from the Army in September 2019. Joe Vess is a man that is passionate about leading and helping others to improve daily. He always strives to provide the absolute best in service and performance for those whom he serves, while staying true to his character, values, and principles. Joe is not a polished politician nor does he ever strive to be one. Joe is not about fancy words or long-winded debates. Instead, he is a leader focused on action and obtaining results that benefit the American people.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• If you cannot vote for the leader the people deserve, you must stand up and become that leader.
• I am not a politician; I am a leader. My focus is on taking action and obtaining results that have the best interest of the American people.
• I am a man from the people, and I will always be a man for the people.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Joe is strongly passionate about the First and Second Amendment. Right now, our country is seeing extremists in political positions and atop organized groups attempting to dismantle the Freedom of Speech and the Right to Bear Arms. That is absolutely unacceptable.

The media touts a group called the "Silent Majority" because they have been pressured into remaining silent, for fear of backlash or scrutiny. This is not okay! All Americans should be allowed to express themselves without the fear of physical assault as retaliation. These heinous acts have been captured on video and broadcast for the world to see - yet the majority of politicians do not denounce these vile attacks, especially Democrats, Liberals, and Leftist. Joe denounces it and will continue to denounce the censorship regardless of scrutiny.

Additionally, Americans have the Right to Bear Arms without those rights ever being infringed upon. Unfortunately, the same extremist are doing just that in America. A couple in Missouri had their firearms illegally seized after defending their property and lives. Joe does not tolerate any infringement upon the Second Amendment of law abiding citizens that are acting accordingly and within their justified means.

Additionally, the fundamental rights provided by the foundational documents of this great country are near and dear to Joe. He will always fight for every American to have their inalienable rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity. Transparency. Selflessness. Honor.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To serve the people of the district that elected them into office. It is impossible to please everyone, but it is not impossible to take care of the majority of people - regardless of personal views, beliefs, or differences.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

09 November 1989: My father was stationed in Germany. I remember watching the news and witnessing people in the streets cheering because the Berlin Wall was officially torn down. Despite being a few months short of my 4th birthday, I still remember my German side of my family celebrating the symbolic end of the Cold War.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was at the age of 16. I worked for the Winn Dixie grocery store chain in Decatur, AL. I started off as a bagger and later became a cashier. I worked their for 18 months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

It Worked For Me: In Life and Leadership by Colin Powell

Colin Powell spoke to me in this book. His history, origin story, and his evolution as a leader is very profound and insightful. He is the epitome of the American Dream - being able to come from immigrant parents and work his way to the top of the US Army and later hold the position as the 65th Secretary of State. This was not enabled because of favors or having the right connections. It was earned because of hard work and sacrifice. Colin Powell chose to have a growth mindset as a person and as a leader which enabled him to achieve great success.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I support President Trump's recent executive order not to count illegal immigrants for redistricting purposes. Why would we allow illegal immigrants, people who cannot vote, count towards redistricting for Representatives to be elected? Allowing this would favor one party - the party who harbors illegal immigrants - doing harm to legal citizens of our country in the way of taxes, social security, welfare, and other government assisted programs.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. Being a product of the political system does not warrant individuals to serve the people of the United States any better than a person who wants to serve the people of the United States. Obviously experience and knowledge come into play, but that's what makes America great - the ability that anyone can stand up and represent the people if the people elect him or her.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The perception of division will be the greatest challenge that we, as Americans, will face over the next decade. 2020 started a new decade and one that all Americans would like to redo if we could. The pandemic caused panic, distrust, and confusion amongst the American people. The highly publicized murder of George Floyd called for radical actions toward an issue that is very statistically small which progressed to furthering hidden agendas that has nothing to do with police brutality. Government parties have become more like gangs - Red versus Blue - and any action or statement calls for immediate retaliation. It is no longer the focus of serving the American people - but to serve the party or the cause.

Leadership is the solution. We need leaders that are willing to unite the people, the parties, and our Nation. It is not "a leader" but multiple leaders across the country, in communities, and in our government that are required for this to happen.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I believe that term limits are a necessary measure to keep people out of government positions and establish too much power. I propose that Representatives have 8 years (4 terms) and Senators have 12 years (2 terms). It is also important to note that if Representatives want to transition to seek election as a Senator, that is also a possibility - putting the maximum time served in these government positions at 20 years. If at any time, those individuals run for and are elected to President - the two term limit is then imposed as well.

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See also

2020 Elections

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External links

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Footnotes

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Arizona's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ruben Gallego (D)

Mark Kelly (D)

Representatives

District 1

David Schweikert (R)

District 2

Eli Crane (R)

District 3

Yassamin Ansari (D)

District 4

Greg Stanton (D)

District 5

Andy Biggs (R)

District 6

Juan Ciscomani (R)

District 7

Vacant

District 8

Abraham Hamadeh (R)

District 9

Paul Gosar (R)

Republican Party (6)

Democratic Party (4)

Vacancies (1)