District 42
Zach Dickerson (D) |
Niraj Antani (R) |
Bio: I was born in a small town called Independence. I spent many weekends as a kid with my great grandmother. She was my role model and hero. She had a beautiful soul. She set an example for me and so did my parents. My father taught me to hunt and value hard work. My mother taught me to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and value honesty. After my undergrad, I put myself through law school in Denver. Today, I am 38 yrs old and a first-time candidate. I understand that running as a Democrat in this red district will not be easy. But I value public service. I believe in the goodness of people. I think fair minded individuals will vote for a person instead of party. So I took a leap of faith and put my name on the ballot. I appreciate your consideration. |
No Response |
What legislation do you support regarding the cost and availability of healthcare? We can increase access by lowering cost. And we can lower cost by promoting value-based healthcare. That means programs that pay providers based on quality, not quantity, of care. Moreover, I support the state's effort to reform its partnership with Pharmacy Benefit Managers. They act as middlemen in our healthcare system. They've been inflating prices to cheating taxpayers. Fortunately, we figured it out and started down a path of reform. Lastly, we can look at the innovation happening in Maryland, Oregon, and Arkansas to control costs. Bundled payments and coordinated care organizations are saving tax payer dollars. We should import some of that innovation here. |
No Response |
How do you plan to address the opioid/prescription drug epidemic in Ohio? We need to protect Medicaid expansion. It has been critical in providing access to addiction treatment. We need more support for law enforcement to stop the drug makers and dealers. And we need a partnership between treatment centers, courts, and local employers to help people with drug convictions get jobs. People like Paul Wise, a 29 yr old with a felony drug charge. Paul got a job at Electripak in Miamisburg because someone decided that the bad decisions in his past should not destroy his future. His story, recently featured in the Dayton Daily News, gives us a model for the state. If someone with a felony drug charge wants to turn their life around, we should be willing to help them do it. Employment is part of the path to recovery. |
No Response |
What are your views on the current legislation regarding firearms in Ohio? I am a hunter and a gun owner. I support the 2nd Amendment and I also support smart gun safety laws. If we take a thoughtful, balanced approach we can protect public safety and the right to own a gun. This is a major area of disagreement with my opponent. His views are rigid and extreme. Earlier this year, in a discussion about how to make schools safer, Niraj Antani said we should let 18-yr-olds to bring a gun to school for self-protection. He wants to end background checks for concealed weapons. He wants to eliminate gun-free zones and allow people to carry weapons almost anywhere. I think he’s wrong. Most people agree we need a ban on bump stocks, a device that turns a legal semi-automatic into an illegal fully automatic. Most people agree we need a ban on strawman purchases to strengthen our background check system. Those things are practical and reasonable. They have bipartisan support. But my opponent will not pursue them because he values his endorsement from the NRA more than common sense policy. |
No Response |