Robert Dambrino
Robert Dambrino (Republican Party) ran for election to the Mississippi House of Representatives to represent District 95. He lost in the Republican primary on August 6, 2019.
Dambrino completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Dambrino retired as a chief petty officer with the United States Coast Guard. He served with the Coast Guard from 1999 to 2017. Dambrino is affiliated with the NRA and URF.[1]
Elections
2019
See also: Mississippi House of Representatives elections, 2019
General election
General election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 95
Jay McKnight won election in the general election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 95 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jay McKnight (R) | 100.0 | 6,194 |
| Total votes: 6,194 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary runoff election
Republican primary runoff for Mississippi House of Representatives District 95
Jay McKnight defeated incumbent Patricia H. Willis in the Republican primary runoff for Mississippi House of Representatives District 95 on August 27, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jay McKnight | 59.3 | 2,791 |
 | Patricia H. Willis | 40.7 | 1,914 | |
| Total votes: 4,705 | |||
| = 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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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Mississippi House of Representatives District 95
Jay McKnight and incumbent Patricia H. Willis advanced to a runoff. They defeated Nancy Depreo and Robert Dambrino in the Republican primary for Mississippi House of Representatives District 95 on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jay McKnight | 39.9 | 2,218 |
| ✔ | | Patricia H. Willis | 29.4 | 1,633 |
 | Nancy Depreo | 21.7 | 1,209 | |
 | Robert Dambrino | 9.0 | 499 | |
| Total votes: 5,559 | |||
| = 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
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Robert Dambrino completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dambrino's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Infrastructure School Security/Education Economic Development/Job Creation Protection of the 2nd Amendment
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I feel that our state's infrastructure is crucial for economic development and job creation. Education and school security are vital to providing a safe and conducive learning environment for our children as long as we are being fiscally responsible with our state's revenue.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to Jesus and strive to live a life dedicated to the Lord. Jesus made tough decisions and stood up to the people who were wrong and not following the path that the Lord has laid out.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
The Conservative's Handbook written by Phil Valentine. This book is a road map as to the stance a true conservative should strive to achieve.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Character is the single most important trait in a leader. A person must have integrity and take responsibility for their actions. An elected official should have Christian values and live those Christian values. An elected official needs to be held accountable to the people that they represent.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have an extensive leadership background in the military. I bring integrity, transparency and accountability. I believe in Christian family values.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
An elected official should represent the will of the people. An elected official needs to available to the constituents of the district in which the represent. The elected official should be held accountable to those constituents.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to be known as an elected official who is a Christian man and represented the will of his constituents. I want to be know as being available and provided an open lines of communication. I want to be know has someone who made a positive difference in District 95 and the Great State of Mississippi.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I remember Ronald Reagan telling Gorbachev to "Tear down this wall!" I was 10 years old when President Reagan made this speech.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I was a janitor and an after school caregiver at a daycare at a Methodist Church. I had this job for less than a year.
What happened on your most awkward date?
I do not remember having an awkward date.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas. This is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
What is your favorite book? Why?
The Holy Bible.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Captain America
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My family. I enjoy coming home from work and spending time with my family.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Old Church Choir by Zach Williams
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I have struggled with work and home balance. I attempt to not and bring work home with me.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Both chambers are equally important and have their roles. We must work together to accomplish our desired outcomes.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
I think having government knowledge is important but we do not need career politicians. There are times that a political outsider can bring a fresh look or idea that a career politician cannot.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
I believe quality of education is a big issue. We need to find a way to compensate our teachers and still remain fiscally responsible. Infrastructure is important for economic development and job creation. We need better roads and bridges. We need to find out why more people are leaving the state than homesteading here.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
The legislature and Governor need to work together and be on the same page. If they are too far apart on issues, then we will be just spinning our wheels and not accomplishing what needs to be accomplished.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
It is very important to build relationships with other legislators. If you do not, then you will just argue and fight all the time and nothing gets done. I am not saying there cannot be debate, but it needs to be constructive and produce the best for our state.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I want to ensure that all residents are represented equally, as long as it is done fairly.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency/Military Affairs/ Investigate State Offices/Marine Resources/ Ports, Harbors and Airports/ Transportation/ Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I am not sure. I would like to get to Jackson and see what would be the best fit for me and my party.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
I want to be the best legislator for the state and our district. I want to be my own person and not try to model my views after one single person.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I want what is best for the Great State of Mississippi and District 95.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I was speaking with a voter and she was telling me about the drug issues that her son had. He had multiple kids and was in no shape to provide for them. She took them (the kids) in. The son went to rehab and she began to raise the children. The young man made multiple trips to rehab before getting completely clean and is now taking an active part in their lives. He found Jesus and made the decision to follow Jesus. This young man now helps other addicts. If more people accept Jesus Christ, then our district, state and country will be better for it.
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.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
I plan to move our state forward using conservative values and policies. I served my country for a really long time and now it is time to serve my district and state.[2] |
” |
| —Robert Dambrino[1] | ||
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
