Kurt Gottschalk

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

Kurt Gottschalk

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 9, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Pennsylvania State University, 1977

Personal

Birthplace

Philadelphia, Pa.

Religion

Spirituality, New Thought

Kurt Gottschalk ran for election to the Reno City Council to represent Ward 5 in Nevada. He lost in the primary on June 9, 2020.

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

Biography

Kurt Gottschalk was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned an undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University in May 1977. His professional experience includes working in sales, management, retail, finance, real estate, and as an entrepreneur. Gottschalk has served with Kiwanis, including twice as president.

Elections

2020

See also: City elections in Reno, Nevada (2020)

General election

General election for Reno City Council Ward 5

Incumbent Neoma Jardon defeated Darla Fink in the general election for Reno City Council Ward 5 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Neoma Jardon (Nonpartisan)	53.6	12,135
		Darla Fink (Nonpartisan)	46.4	10,499

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 22,634
= 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.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Reno City Council Ward 5

Incumbent Neoma Jardon and Darla Fink defeated Kurt Gottschalk and Lee Wilhelm in the primary for Reno City Council Ward 5 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Neoma Jardon (Nonpartisan)	52.1	5,412
✔		Darla Fink (Nonpartisan)	27.3	2,834
		Kurt Gottschalk (Nonpartisan)	12.1	1,251
	Submit photo	Lee Wilhelm (Nonpartisan)	8.5	884

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,381
= 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.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kurt Gottschalk completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gottschalk's 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.

I am a 40+ year resident of Reno and the Truckee Meadows. I have been involved in my community in a variety of capacities; from a youth soccer coach, to a 2x President of the Reno Kieanis Sunrisers to a 2term member of the NW Reno Neighborhood Advisory board. Married 35 years, been a business owner, 2.of the Greatest Grandkids. Will be retiring at the end of this year and I am looking forward to the next chapter.

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?

• Transparent Goverent: Not withholding what Council is looking into until Council is voting on an item or the issue has become a problem. Ex: Swan Lake, City Mgr. here, Corona Virus shut down by the Mayor.
• Open Access and Communication: Full time Councilman. I am not a Career Politician or Longterm Civil Servant/ Bureaucrat. I am an outsider, who has small business and entrepreneur experience.
• Financial Efficency & Accountability. The Citizens of Reno need to know that their tax dollars and welfare are # 1. Not any of the Special interests groups not, Personal agendas or Government and it's employees. Flat budgets are skirting the issues.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Supporting and respecting all City, County, State and Federal laws. Not passing laws or resolutions that inhibit our Law enforcement community, at all levels. Honoring the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Not putting off financial decisions that future generations have to pay for. All employees of the City have the same standards, no special treatment.Keeping our Community safe, vibrant and in touch with who the community is not what outsiders want us to be.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

All Government starts at the local level. This is were you can see and effect your community and its citizens.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Founding Fathers, President Lincoln, General Patten, General Eisenhower, President Kennedy, President Regan, MLK, Ghandi, Dali Lama, Jesus.

The Founding Fathers gave us 2 of the Greatest Documents the World has ever seen. Respecting the spirit of their intent instead of what's in it for me.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Books about Lincoln, Washinton, Jefferson, Madison, MLK, Jesus, Frederick Douglas, Patten, Emerson, Edison, Einstein to name a few.

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

Being open and honest. Knowing that your employer are the Citizens and Businesses of Reno. That 8 years is enough to be in this office, another 4 years is not warranted, just another Career Politician. Compassion, Communicate, Respect, Honor and Uphold the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Stand above Partisan Polotics. The group of Congress people in the Nations Capital, No Labels is doing just that.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Diverse background, persistence, compassionate, involve people.

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

You work for the Citizens of Reno and Ward 5, not Special Interest groups. Be humble, open and get pit amongst your constituents .

What legacy would you like to leave?

I left it better than I found it..

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

Our 1st and subsequent Astronauts we launched into space. Pre-teens, Elementary school age.

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

Paperboy, 3 years

What is your favorite book? Why?

Anything written by Malcolm Gladwell, The Game of Life and How to play it by Floremce Scovel-Shinn

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman with a new anti-cryptonate cape.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Whatever was the last song that I was listening to. Franklin's Tower as performed by the Allman Brothers band.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Not enough time in the day. Trying to make my wife's wishes come true, to walk again.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

That this office also participates on the Regional side on other boards and Commissions. So it's much more than just Ward 5 of the City of Reno it's also about Washoe County.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, though the experience can never hurt. I served on the New Northwest Neighborhood Advisory Board for over 7 years. I was Vice Chair and Chair of the board.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Business education both College and hands on. Persistence to ascertain all relevant information. You dont need to invent a new solution, though you can modify proven successful formulas to your unique situation. Listen, ask a lot of questions formulate a course of action. It's not my way or the highway, it's what President Reagan and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill did, they hammered out an amicable solution. Surround yourself well well educated specialists, you dont need to know it all.

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.

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