Cece Heil, Republican seeking the 5th Congressional District seat

The following questionnaire has been submitted to each candidate running in the Republican primary seeking the nomination for Republican candidate for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. This seat is now held by Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper. Whoever wins the primary on August 5 will most likely face Cooper in November.

Tell me about yourself. Where are you from, what to you do for a living, what is your educational background, your political experience?

I come from a very politically involved family. My father holds a doctorate in education; he is a rancher and a retired state senator. My mother has practiced law for 63 years and is a retired judge. As such, I don’t remember a time that I was not engaged in the political process. I learned at a very young age how important it is to elect solid conservative leaders at every level of government. I followed in my mother’s footsteps and went to law school.

Shortly after graduation my father encouraged me to run for Congress in Missouri. I was the Republican nominee and had 22 counties in my district. After that race, my life took a wonderful detour when I met and married my husband. We have 2 children and we have started and run four small businesses, besides my law practice. My husband is in the band Sonicflood, and we own the band, a record label, a publishing company and a production company. I have practiced law for almost 20 years, with a focus on Federal Legislation and a passion for the Constitution.

Why are you running for this office:

As a small business owner and attorney very active in politics I have had many people ask me to run against Jim Cooper over the years, but it was never the right time. This year is different, as Jim Cooper is obviously very vulnerable and while at Congressman Blackburn’s Women of Distinction luncheon, I actually received a mandate to run from Dana Perino (President Bush’s press secretary). But the main and most compelling reason that I am running is for my children and the future of this Nation. Our Nation is in a desperate situation as the current Administration has a Fascist bent on ruining our Constitutional Republic. I know that I have the education, skill set, knowledge, friendship and support both in the 5^th district as well as Washington to get our Nation back on track quickly. I will protect our Constitutional Republic and restore the power back to the people as my loyalty is to my God and my Country.

What do you see as the primary issue is this race?

The primary issue in the primary election is to make sure we elect a candidate who can beat Jim Cooper. We must also make sure that we elect a candidate who is poised to take action immediately once in Washington. We need someone who can personally read the massive bills that are being presented and have the skill and knowledge to craft legislation to protect the people. We can’t afford to elect someone who has good intentions, but will have to hire a 3^rd party to read and interpret the legislation for them as well as to craft any response. I am the only candidate who has the education, ability and experience to personally read, understand, and craft the legislation needed to protect the citizens of this Great Nation.

If you are successful in wining the Republican nomination and you are successful in defeating Jim Cooper, when serving in the US Congress what issue will be your primary focus? What will be your priorities?

As Obamacare is the most urgent problem that needs to be addressed, my first priority would be to push for a Concurrent Resolution that states that Obamacare is unconstitutional, therefore it is null and void (Am. Jur.) as such, it will not be recognized or funded and shall further be stricken from the records. The President does not have to sign a Concurrent Resolution, so the law would be immediately stopped. My focus would then turn to reducing taxing and spending dramatically, and thus promote immediate economic growth. I believe that I am the only candidate that already has the conservative connections in Washington to make this a reality.

When I make my decision who I will vote for for this office, not only do I want to vote for someone who has solid conservative values and who I think would make a good Congressman, but I want to vote for someone who I think can beat Jim Cooper. Best person and electability may not necessarily be the same thing. I have heard that it will take anywhere from $500,000 to $2 million dollars to mount a successful campaign. Do you have the support, the time and resources to conduct a wining campaign?

Jim Cooper is a Harvard Law graduate, as I am also an attorney who has actually practiced for almost 20 years, I have no doubt that I can hold my own with Jim Cooper in any forum. Further, since my practice has focused on entertainment, I am uniquely positioned to represent two of Nashville’s top industries (music and religious publishing). I am also thrilled to have the support of Gary Bauer, Jay Sekulow, Mat Staver, Ken Blackwell, Tony Perkins, Cynthia Dunbar, Jennifer O’Neill, Dr. Mark Houston, Lex Luger, Nikita Koloff and many others. As such, my campaign is dedicated and has the ability to raise a substantial amount of money, as well as running a very aggressive grass roots campaign. I am confident that I will beat Jim Cooper.

If one wants to know more about your campaign or contact you how to they do that?

My website is www.ceceforcongress.com where you can find out more about my position on all the issues, links to Facebook and Twitter as well as contact information.

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