Campaign Evaluation: Nick Zoller (U.S. House, FL-13)

[CG1976]

This thread is intended to be a collection point of the strong pros and cons of any potential liberty candidate / campaign that is being discussed / promoted on the forum. You are welcome to post both positive and not-so-positive attributes about the candidate as they related to their position on supporting liberty as well as issues relating to their campaign. The most important information may be aggregated in this top post for easy reference.

Candidate Name: Nick Zoller
Office Sought: U.S. House, Florida's 13th Congressional District
Website: http://www.zollerforcongress.com/
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter

Candidate Profile: On the Issues
Civil Liberties: [Rating TBD]
Constitutional Issues: [Rating TBD]
Economic Issues: [Rating TBD]
Foreign Policy: [Rating TBD]
Social Issues: [Rating TBD]
Overall Issues Rating: [Rating TBD]

Race Profile: Competition & Demographics
State: Florida
District: 13
Incumbent: Bill Young (R) - Will not seek re-election.
Other Primary Candidates: Larry Crow
Non-Incumbent Candidates from Other Parties: Jessica Ehrich
Cook PVI: R+1 (leans Republican)
Relevant poll numbers: None
Overall Race Profile Rating: [Rating TBD]

Miscellaneous Pros/Cons
Key strong points:

Unknown points for further research:

Possible weak points:

Possible deal breakers:

Overall Rating: [Rating TBD]

 

[CG1976]

"Economy & RegulationsGovernment should not decide how citizens and businesses spend their time and money. The excessive regulations hurt nearly all individuals and businesses, while benefiting special interests who are able to lobby for favorable legislation. Expansive regulations generally benefit a few large corporations and punish thousands of small businesses that do not have the resources to comply. Government can best help the economy by making regulations simple, and letting businesses stand or fail on their own merit."

 

[mz10]

I got nervous when I saw that he helped Scott Brown, but I love that he's coming out so hard against the PATRIOT Act and CISPA. Sounds like someone who could really win and is worth our time and money.

 

[Smart3]

I got nervous when I saw that he helped Scott Brown, but I love that he's coming out so hard against the PATRIOT Act and CISPA. Sounds like someone who could really win and is worth our time and money.

helping Brown isn't exactly a mortal sin. Not like he helped Ayotte.

 

[CG1976]

Yeah

helping Brown isn't exactly a mortal sin. Not like he helped Ayotte.

Plus we have to remember he was employed as a political consultant, and based on his issues page he definitely doesn't agree with brown on much. Plus working for Schiff that's pretty legit. Lets get tons of small donations coming in to this guy from around the country, show them a real liberty front runner and are there PACs we could email?

 

[compromise]

This is a great chance to get another liberty Congressman. It's a red open seat.

 

[CG1976]

This is a great chance to get another liberty Congressman. It's a red open seat.

Did some research and it looks like the county has a libertarian friendly gop voting base, especially in crowded primaries. Ron Paul supporter Dan Tucker is the state committeeman from Pinellas county and won a 3 way race with over 40% of the vote last year to defeat a liberal incumbent. Who's going to join me in donating $10 online?

 

[Smart3]

Zoller is gay? Why didn't you mention that? We have even more reason to support him, as a gay man who doesn't support big government.

http://atr.rollcall.com/gay-republican-plans-to-file-for-young-seat/

 

[CG1976]

I didn't know, his issues page basically just says federal government shouldn't get into the marriage issue. I don't see anything but roll call that discusses him being gay, but who cares as long as he is right on the issues.

 

[Spoa]

He sounds like a great candidate. Love that he opposes subsidies as well:

All forms of energy production should be allowed, and none should be given special benefits. Energy subsidies make no sense. Subsidizing inefficient energy production is simply wasteful and ineffective. It requires higher taxes, locks in old technologies, and unfairly punishes entrepreneurs and inventors who do not have friends in government. Energy sources that truly meet the demands of consumers will thrive in the marketplace over time and do not need government handouts to be viable.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

What is Nick's position on the Iranian threat?

 

[CG1976]

I don't see a specific stance on Iran. Here's his military stance "National defense is the most critical function of the federal government, as provided in the United States Constitution. The exclusive power of Congress to declare war must be respected, and executive reactions to imminent dangers must not be allowed to drag on without the express authorization of Congress."

 

[Brian4Liberty]

I don't see a specific stance on Iran. Here's his military stance "National defense is the most critical function of the federal government, as provided in the United States Constitution. The exclusive power of Congress to declare war must be respected, and executive reactions to imminent dangers must not be allowed to drag on without the express authorization of Congress."

Not terrible, but this has become a standard response to a certain extent. I'm not one to freak out about Ted Cruz, but my guess is that we will have a lot more candidates in the future that are more like Ted than Ron Paul. A slight difference in "Purity" level.

 

[CG1976]

When I spoke to Nick he said he's always aligned more with Ron Paul on the issues.

 

[CG1976]

I'm a Ron Paul guy myself, I am not a huge Cruz fan but he's better than most.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

I'm a Ron Paul guy myself, I am not a huge Cruz fan but he's better than most.

Cruz managed to keep his true foreign policy hidden until a very recent speech. He avoided any in depth discussion for a long time. Lesson learned for future candidate vetting.

 

[CG1976]

You should e-mail his campaign with the specifics on what you want answered and he will answer it: [email protected]

 

[Bastiat's The Law]

Not terrible, but this has become a standard response to a certain extent. I'm not one to freak out about Ted Cruz, but my guess is that we will have a lot more candidates in the future that are more like Ted than Ron Paul. A slight difference in "Purity" level.

Our liberty candidates have to phrase it that way otherwise they will be labeled as pacifists who wouldn't defend the country.

 

[MelissaWV]

Cruz managed to keep his true foreign policy hidden until a very recent speech. He avoided any in depth discussion for a long time. Lesson learned for future candidate vetting.

I think it's also important to keep in mind that this is Florida. It is nearly impossible to get people elected to national office here who have anything near a Ron Paul sort of stance. That makes this an even more valuable opportunity.

 

[CG1976]

Exactly if we help this guy with his fundraising there's a real opening - especially with a crowded primary