Doug Tudor for Congress

Background:

I recently retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer from the U.S. Navy, having most recently served for eight years at U.S. Central Command as the flagwriter, or Administrative Assistant, to GEN Tommy Franks, GEN John Abizaid and ADM William Fallon. During the past six years, I have made over thirty trips to the combat zones of Iraq, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, and the Levant.
I also recently received my law degree. I have lived in Riverview FL (Florida's 12th Congressional District) for over eight years. I have an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a life-long interest in political and civic philosophy and process.

Goals:

I left my Navy career so that I could help to restore representative democracy to the citizens of central Florida. We certainly deserve better in Washington than the rubber stamp of President Bush's policies that comes from Adam Putnam. I believe that the historic beliefs and association with the working man's needs and Democratic Party ideals are best suited to fix what's ailing our great nation.

Issues:

The four primary concerns I will address in my campaign are:
- getting our troops safely and smartly out of Iraq;
- fixing our broken economy and its systems;
- ensuring access to affordable healthcare for every American; and
- fairly settling the immigration issues facing our nation.

Grassroots Support:

The Doug Tudor for Congress campaign has already started meeting with and speaking before local Democratic clubs in the 12th District to include the Lakeland Democratic Club, the East Hillsborough Democratic Club, and the South Shore Democratic Club. Working with the support of the local Democratic Executive Committees in Polk and Hillsborough Counties, and to include Osceola County in the future, we will be able to use trained grassroot organizers to enlist volunteers, garner financial contributions, and address voter concerns. Additionally, we will utilize the state party's VAN to organize our voter files and make contact with all Democratic and many independent voters.

DFA Values:

I have espoused liberal beliefs all my life. I believe in and will support equality for all Americans, celebrating the great levels of diversity that we bring together everyday. I believe in a progressive tax system that shields the working and middle classes from carrying the burden for the wealthiest in our nation. I believe in a woman's right to reproductive freedom. I believe in the importance of protecting our environment and searching for alternative energy sources. I will support sound and fiscally responsible Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and CHIP systems and entertain their increased coverage where needed, and will support the programs needed to ensure the protection of the poorest in our nation. And I will vote for the funding to pay for the programs I support, by doing away with unnecessary expenditures where possible, but always considering the effect of unmanageable debt to be left to future generations.