Vincent Cavaleri
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Vincent Cavaleri (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Washington's 1st Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Cavaleri completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Vincent Cavaleri was born in Flushing, Queens, New York, New York. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1983 to 1989. His career experience includes working as a deputy sheriff and as an assistant recreational director for the juvenile rehabilitation administration at Indian Ridge Youth Camp. Cavaleri has served as the director of education at the Silent Majority Foundation and as a member and volunteer for Christian Faith church.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Washington's 1st Congressional District election, 2022
General election
Nonpartisan primary election
Endorsements
To view Cavaleri's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Vincent Cavaleri completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cavaleri's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I first started public service in 1983, when I began serving in the United States Army Reserve. After serving for 6 years, I moved to Washington. I am currently a deputy with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s office, where I have been for over 21 years. In addition, I am also a councilmember for the City of Mill Creek, a position I have held since I was elected in 2015, and am currently serving my second term. As a councilman, I have been able to accomplish many things that have kept my city prosperous and safe from the soaring crime rates neighboring cities are currently experiencing. While other cities were voting to defund their police, I hired additional officers. When the Washington Supreme Court decriminalized possession of drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, I authored an ordinance that made it illegal in my city again. Mill Creek boasts some of the best response times in the state.
Most importantly, though, I am a husband, father, and grandfather. I have been married to my wife, Lilian, for over 32 years. Together, we have two adult children, and welcomed our first grandchild in 2021. As a longtime resident of Washington's 1st Congressional District, I am running to keep our community safe.
- My most important issue is restoring public safety to this great nation. Nothing works if our citizenry isn't safe, and I have legislation ready to introduce on day one that will help restore law and order.
- I am running to revitalize our economy and help small businesses recover from the COVID mandates.
- I will hold Congress fiscally accountable. Currently, inflation is soaring and America is being bankrupted one congressional spending bill at a time. I will tighten the purse string in Congress, much like our citizens have done in their homes.
First and foremost, I am focused on restoring public safety. On day one, I will introduce the Law Enforcement Community Standards Act (LECSA) which will hold cities, counties, and states accountable that defunded their police. They will be exempt from federal loans, federal grants and federal programs. This will hold local elected leaders accountable for decimating law enforcement budgets as political stunts, and will be measured based on metrics such as crime statistics, response times, minimum staffing requirements, and community incentives. In addition, I will also introduce the Prosecutor Responsibility and Detention Act (PRADA) which will hold prosecutors accountable for deviating from the minimum bail set by the state legislature, often allowing repeat offenders back in our communities.
As for our economy, I will repair the damage done to small business in America. Small business is the lifeblood of our economy, and since January 2020, nearly 100,000 businesses have permanently closed. I will introduce my “Reapply and Retry” Bill, which will divert $900 million of unused American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and return it to small businesses that were decimated by the COVID mandates.
When it comes to fiscal responsibility, we need to reign in our spending. I will propose a 5% budgetary cut to all areas except military spending, and promote laws to encourage energy independence.
Finally, I support repealing Section 230 and making the Internet a public utility. Ronald Reagan has and will always be one of the primary role models I look to as an example. President Reagan knew how to unite us as a nation. He also was a man of action, not empty promises like so many other presidents in my lifetime. He was a true leader.
The Federalist Papers is an excellent collection of essays and a resource in not only understanding my personal political philosophy, but the political philosophies of some of our most important Founding Fathers and what vision they had for America.
I believe leadership and integrity are important for elected officials to have, but also believe they must be focused. I am focused specifically on what I want to accomplish to improve the state of our nation, and will not seek reelection once I have completed these goals. Fulfilling campaign promises to voters is something not many elected officials are willing to do, and is why many Americans are disillusioned with the political process. As a councilman, I have brought results to my city, and will continue to do so as your next representative.
I believe I have the courage to stand by what I believe in, and have proven this through my consistent voting record as a member of the Mill Creek City Council. Having a clear and concise list of goals also allows for transparency in government, which I believe to be paramount. I also believe I am receptive and diplomatic in order to work with representatives from all over the country.
Some core responsibilities representatives of Congress are expected to carry out include fulfilling campaign promises, being receptive and responsive to the constituents of the district, and having a clear agenda you are able to work on with your colleagues, no matter where they stand on other issues. This is all necessary in order to protect and improve the lives of everyday Americans.
I would like to leave behind a legacy of true servitude to the people of my district, and show that anyone who truly cares about serving others can make a change as long as they stand for what they believe in. I have served as a soldier, deputy, and councilman, and hope to serve the people of Washington's 1st Congressional District.
I remember witnessing the Moon Landing on TV in 1969. Though I was only 4, I still remember the moment I watched Neil Armstrong making his first step on the Moon's surface.
My very first job was working at McDonald's as a frycook and cashier as a teenager. Though I only worked there for 6 months, it taught me both the importance of patience and a strong work ethic.
Something I have struggled with is balancing my professional and family life. I am currently balancing my work life as a deputy, councilman, non-profit director and congressional candidate with being a husband, father, and now a grandfather.
With how frequently elections are held and how many representatives there are, the House is unique in that, not only are representatives held accountable by a smaller portion of voters, but also change occurs much quicker. The U.S. House also has the unique Power of the Purse in that they choose both the amount and the ways our government spends taxpayer money.
Yes, I believe having prior elected experience is vital in being able to properly represent the people. There are exceptions, but understanding how to author bills, operate aboard committees, work with other elected officials, and understand the legislative process are key to effectively serving the constituents, and is something that must come from experience. In addition to being an elected official in my city, I also sit on the SNO911 Board, Joint Fire Board, Parks and Recreation Board, and Arts and Beautification Board.
Over the next decade, America must face a handful of challenges. We must focus on stabilizing our nation's economy to allow for the next generation to prosper. Things like home ownership and raising a family were once aspects of the American Dream that were attainable, and must make a return. We also must focus on balancing our budget and preventing our national debt from increasing. The most concerning, however, is the ever-growing divide between classes of Americans. We must find a way to stop this divide and unify as a nation. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
The main committee I would like to be part of is the House Oversight and Reform Committee, specifically the Government Operations Subcommittee. I believe we need more representatives on that committee that are not afraid to ask the right questions. Other committees I would seek to be on would be the House Judiciary Committee, House Budget Committee, and Small Business Committee.
Yes, two years per term for representatives is the right amount to both be held accountable by the voters while also not having to campaign year-round, which frees representatives up enough to be able to do their job.
I believe term limits should be instituted in both the House and the Senate. I believe imposing four terms for Representatives for a total of 8 years, and two terms for Senators for a total of 12 years would prevent stagnation and corruption in Congress.
I respected Newt Gingrich for his leadership in authoring the Contract with America, which I believe built trust between representatives and the American people by laying out a clear agenda with specific promises. If elected, I have similar plans in introducing bills on day one in order to fulfill my campaign promises.
What's kept me on motivated as a candidate is the fact that it isn't just one story, it's every story we hear at the doorstep. Nearly every American family is hurting right now. With shortages of baby formula, the rising fuel prices, and the problems with our education system becoming worse, it's clear America needs new leadership. The lack of trust between America and their elected representatives is the worst its been in recent history, and needs to change.
Concerning policymaking, I believe in reaching across the aisle and having discussions in order to come to an understanding on what we want to accomplish. Being able to convince those that a position or solution is the correct path forward should be the primary goal before having both parties compromise on their respective issues. I do not believe compromising is desirable, but understand it is necessary in certain areas. However, there are key issues I will not compromise on, and believe it is our duty as representatives to be trusted in not to waiver on our convictions.
As a councilman, there have been many bills that I have worked with other councilmembers on to make sure we are able to accomplish what our constituents expect of us, and there have been other bills where I have been the lone vote.
Congress has abused the Power of the Purse and passed spending bills far beyond our means, while ignoring the needs of the taxpayers time and time again. If elected, I will put a stop to the unnecessary spending originating from the House.
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Campaign website
Cavaleri's campaign website stated the following:
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Public Safety
I will make public safety a top priority. The American people have the right to expect safe streets in their communities. We will not allow lawlessness to take root in our cities and towns.
I will bring forward legislation that rewards safe cities and towns. Safe communities are those that do not defund their police departments.
Law Enforcement Community Standards Act (LECSA)
On day one, I will introduce robust legislation that holds cities, counties and states accountable that defund their police.
They will be exempt from federal loans, federal grants and federal programs. This will hold local elected leaders accountable for decimating law enforcement budgets as political stunts. This will be based on metrics such as:
- Crime statistics
- Response times
- Legislative initiatives
- Education proliferation
- Minimum staffing requirements
- Community incentives and programs
Fiscal responsibility
America is being bankrupted one congressional spending bill at a time. The American people deserve a Congress that believes in fiscal responsibility.
I will tighten the purse string in Congress, much like our citizens have done in their homes. I will identify reckless spending and bridges to nowhere; and eliminate them. I believe in not spending more than we make.
Small Business
Repair the damage done to small business in America. Small business is the lifeblood of our economy. Since January 2020, nearly 100,000 businesses have permanently closed. I will promote legislation to encourage the revitalization of small business in America.
Big Tech oversight
I will move to make the internet platforms a public utility, governed by the people, for the people. Committees dedicated to the pursuit of free speech will be established to stop shadow banning and discriminatory de-platforming practices.
When elected, internet providers will be forced to pay their fair share, just like any other public utility.[2]
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| —Vincent Cavaleri's campaign website (2022)[3]
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See also
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Senators
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Republican Party (2)
