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Richard Castaldo (Oklahoma)

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Richard Castaldo
Image of Richard Castaldo
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 3, 2020

Personal
Birthplace
Tulsa, Okla.
Religion
Christian
Contact

Richard Castaldo (Libertarian Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

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

Biography

Richard Castaldo was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1]

Elections

2020

See also: Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020

Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (June 30 Republican primary)

Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (June 30 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2

Incumbent Markwayne Mullin defeated Danyell Lanier and Richard Castaldo in the general election for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Markwayne Mullin
Markwayne Mullin (R)
 
75.0
 
216,511
Image of Danyell Lanier
Danyell Lanier (D) Candidate Connection
 
22.0
 
63,472
Image of Richard Castaldo
Richard Castaldo (L) Candidate Connection
 
3.0
 
8,544

Total votes: 288,527
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Danyell Lanier advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2

Incumbent Markwayne Mullin defeated Joseph Silk and Rhonda Hopkins in the Republican primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2 on June 30, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Markwayne Mullin
Markwayne Mullin
 
79.9
 
53,149
Image of Joseph Silk
Joseph Silk Candidate Connection
 
12.7
 
8,445
Rhonda Hopkins
 
7.4
 
4,917

Total votes: 66,511
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2

Incumbent Markwayne Mullin defeated Jason Nichols, John Foreman, and Richard Castaldo in the general election for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Markwayne Mullin
Markwayne Mullin (R)
 
65.0
 
140,451
Image of Jason Nichols
Jason Nichols (D)
 
30.1
 
65,021
Image of John Foreman
John Foreman (Independent)
 
3.0
 
6,390
Image of Richard Castaldo
Richard Castaldo (L) Candidate Connection
 
1.9
 
4,140

Total votes: 216,002
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary runoff election

Democratic primary runoff for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2

Jason Nichols defeated Clay Padgett in the Democratic primary runoff for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2 on August 28, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jason Nichols
Jason Nichols
 
56.8
 
19,562
Image of Clay Padgett
Clay Padgett
 
43.2
 
14,850

Total votes: 34,412
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2

Jason Nichols and Clay Padgett advanced to a runoff. They defeated Elijah McIntosh and Virginia Jenner in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2 on June 26, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jason Nichols
Jason Nichols
 
37.9
 
32,549
Image of Clay Padgett
Clay Padgett
 
24.2
 
20,833
Image of Elijah McIntosh
Elijah McIntosh Candidate Connection
 
19.0
 
16,359
Virginia Jenner
 
18.9
 
16,222

Total votes: 85,963
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2

Incumbent Markwayne Mullin defeated Jarrin Jackson, Brian Jackson, and John McCarthy in the Republican primary for U.S. House Oklahoma District 2 on June 26, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Markwayne Mullin
Markwayne Mullin
 
54.1
 
32,654
Image of Jarrin Jackson
Jarrin Jackson
 
25.2
 
15,204
Image of Brian Jackson
Brian Jackson
 
11.5
 
6,907
John McCarthy
 
9.2
 
5,549

Total votes: 60,314
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

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

Expand all | Collapse all

I am married to Kathy Castaldo, an E.R. & Travel Nurse. I am a homeschooling dad to two sons, Elisha (8) and Isaiah (6). I am a pastor, writer, and counselor as well as a liberty activist. I am also a lifetime member of the Libertarian Party of Oklahoma. I am running for Congress to defend life, not government.
  • I believe that abortion violates the non-aggression principle and is inherently inhumane because of its violence against preborn individuals.
  • I believe to defend life we must defend the right to bear arms against tyranny and crime, which is an inherent right protected by the U.S. Constitution, and that all infringement must be undone.
  • I believe we must convert our punitive justice system that focuses on vengeance to a restorative system that focuses on direct public safety and rehabilitation instead of mass incarceration and the prosecution of victimless crimes..
I have a 10-point plan to #DefendLifeNotGovernment and I am passionate about every point, but perhaps the most important part of my plan is to abolish abortion and transition our society from one that accepts termination as a false "reproductive right" to a society that values life and human dignity at every stage of human development. We should focus on prevention methods, which science and medicine can innovate and invent so that we have affordable, effective alternatives to abortion. We should reform adoption and give every child a safe, loving home. We should also focus on criminal justice reform so that we don't create more destruction by creating legal consequences for abortion that hinder restoration. And finally we should foster economic opportunity by ending corporatism and federal interventionism, including excessive taxes and licensing requirements.

There are two ways we can end this holocaust without a new Supreme Court decision. In Congress I would propose and support Senator Rand Paul's "Life Starts at Conception Act." The other way is for the state of Oklahoma to pass SB13 or similar legislation that would criminalize abortion.
F.A. Hayek, Milton Friedman, & Dr. Ron Paul are a few of my favorite Libertarian philosophers and economists. Representatives Justin Amash (L), Thomas Massie (R), and Tulsi Gabbard (D) are a few political figures in Congress that I respect due to their nonpartisan, consistent principles and integrity. Recording artists Michael W. Smith and the late Rich Mullins have also had a great impact on me, especially my faith. G.K. Chesterton and J.R.R. Tolkien are my favorite authors.
Integrity is first and foremost the trait most important for an elected official. In addition, one should possess genuine listening skills, courage, and non-partisanship.
I remember being in 3rd grade public school during Desert Storm under President Bush Sr. Our teacher, Mrs. Cash, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance each day, we had a moment of silence for our soldiers, and we listened to the song "God Bless the U.S.A."
Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
Gandalf from Middle Earth, from J.R.R. Tolkien
The House of Representatives is unique because it consists of localized representatives that are more accountable to the people.
I do not believe it is beneficial for representatives to have previous government experience. In fact, political service should never become a lifelong career.
Restoring free markets and individual liberty will be the greatest challenges over the next 10 years.
I would likely often caucus with the Republican Liberty Caucus and I would hope to participate in either the Budget Committee or Education and Labor.
I believe two years is the right term length for representatives and I support term limits as well.

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.

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Richard Castaldo participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on May 25, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Richard Castaldo's responses follow below.[2]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Fiscal responsibility, protection of the Bill of Rights, and preservation of individual liberty.[3][4]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

The freedom to live, freedom to love, and freedom to worship as an individual sees fit, not as the federal government dictates.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[4]

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Richard Castaldo answered the following:

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

President Thomas Jefferson and President James Madison were the first libertarians of that time in America and believed strongly in a limited federal government constrained by the Constitution. I also greatly respect Congressman Justin Amash who is a strict Constitutionalist and makes his votes transparent to the public.[4]
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?
The Revolution by Ron Paul as well as Don’t Hurt People and Don’t Take Their Stuff by Matt Kibbe.[4]
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
The non-aggression principle which says one will not use force as a means of achieving political or social goals. Also, a strong and courageous honesty as well as compassion for others.[4]
What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?
I have strong principles that are clear and I would not bow to outside pressure; I answer only to the people I represent in my district and state. I have leadership skills I’ve acquired as a Christian pastor and retail manager. I am able to bring people together over principles instead of focusing on differences.[4]
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To serve the people you represent and to protect the Constitution.[4]
What legacy would you like to leave?
A legacy of compassion for others, a dedicated proponent of individual liberty, and a passionate family man.[4]
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?
I remember having a moment of silence and prayer in my 3rd grade public school for the soldiers departing for Desert Storm in Iraq. The teachers also played a few patriotic songs like God Bless America that we stood in a circle and sang to. Then we said the Pledge of Allegiance together. It’s a special memory as I remember the gravity of the war as well as the patriotism of the teachers.[4]
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I worked for a graphic design firm for three years beginning my senior year of high school.[4]
What is your favorite book? Why?
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning and Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton because both inspire me to live my faith with grace and passion.[4]
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Sometimes By Step by the late Rich Mullins[4]
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
Preserving freedom and personal responsibility in each generation is always the greatest challenge.[4]
What are your thoughts on term limits?
I support term limits and would advocate for no more than serving three terms, or 6 years, for Representatives.[4]

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 22, 2020
  2. Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
  3. Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Richard Castaldo's responses," May 25, 2018
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.


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Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
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Tom Cole (R)
District 5
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