Michele R. Weslander Quaid
| Candidate Name | Michele R. Weslander Quaid |
| Position Sought | U.S. Congress, 24th District |
| Website / Social Media | www.MWQ2022.com Facebook: MWeslanderQuaid Instagram: @mweslanderquaid Twitter: @MWeslanderQuaid LinkedIn: micheleweslanderquaid Truth Social: @MWeslanderQuaid Gettr: @mweslanderquaid |
| Why are you running for office? | I am a Constitutionalist running as “No Party Preference” (independent) because my loyalty is to America and the American people – not to a political party. Too many elected officials are violating their oaths and pursuing an agenda of “fundamentally transforming” America by dismantling the U.S. Constitution. We need people in elected office who will uphold their oaths. I first took the oath of office to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” 20 years ago and my oath lasts a lifetime. Running for elected office has never been a career aspiration of mine. So many people sacrificed so much for our liberty over our nation’s 245-year history, and now that liberty is in danger. We must all take a stand to preserve that liberty, and I feel a calling to do this by representing California’s 24th District in the U.S. Congress. |
| What makes you qualified for the job? | I have extensive experience working with and within the U.S. government, both as an industry partner and as a senior government official. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Engineering Science (double major) with honors and a Master of Science in Optics. I served as an image scientist and chief engineer in industry for over a decade before being recruited into government service in 2002. I first took the oath of office 20 years ago and was sworn in as a senior executive in defense intelligence, serving as a peer to generals and flag officers in the military. I served on the executive teams of national agencies and was the first Intelligence Community Deputy Chief Information Officer for the first Director of National Intelligence. In these roles, I worked across the 17 agencies that comprised the U.S. Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense, interfaced regularly with the U.S. Congress, testified as a subject matter expert twice, and served on official delegations to allied nations. After serving in government, I became Google Inc.’s Chief Technology Officer for Public Sector and Chief Innovation Evangelist, serving as the primary interface to the U.S. government and giving keynote presentations internationally. I’ve worked at the executive level in the private sector and public sector, and managed offices of hundreds of people, budgets of $150M, contracts worth $0.5B, and portfolios over $10B. Most of my 25-year national security career was spent working in the Washington D.C. area. I will use my experience and expertise to successfully represent the interests of the people of California’s Central Coast in the U.S. Congress. |
| What are your two main priorities if you win? | We must return to a constitutionally limited government and enforce fiscal responsibility. The primary role of the Federal government is outlined in the preamble to the U.S. Constitution and government officials derive their power from the consent of the governed – We The People. The current administration has demonstrated dereliction of duty in this regard while trying to control every aspect of our lives. Our southern border is wide open, leading to an increase in crime, homelessness, drugs, and human trafficking. A sovereign nation must have secure borders. The government is interfering with the economy and printing money, devaluing the U.S. dollar. Inflation has now reached a 40-year high. U.S. Congress has acted irresponsibly, spending far above our means thereby increasing our national debt, which is not only an economic issue and national security issue but also a moral issue because we are burdening future generations with a debt they cannot repay. In 2021, the federal government spent $6.82 trillion, but only collected $4.05 trillion in revenue, resulting in a deficit of $2.77 trillion. The Federal government must have the discipline to focus on its core responsibilities to the American people and spend within its means. I will work towards that end in the U.S. Congress. |
| How will you collaborate with other governments? | Throughout my 25-year national security career, I led precedent-setting information sharing and collaboration efforts, which benefited America, the American people, and our allies. I worked in and across the Federal government, and with state and local governments. As a senior official in the executive branch, I worked extensively with the legislative branch (Congress) and with allied foreign governments. In my roles at Google Inc., I was the primary interface to the U.S. government at the Federal, state, and local levels, and with Commonwealth and other Allied governments. I’ve successfully served in ambassador-type roles working to build relationships and bring people together toward a common goal. I will use these skills in Congress for the good of America and the people I represent. |
| What are the next two issues that are most important to you? | Individual liberty and personal freedom are core tenants of America’s founding principles that have enabled our country to prosper and our people to thrive. Our liberty is being threatened like no other time in our nation’s history and government officials (elected and unelected) are acting to limit personal freedom. Alarmingly, many students are not being taught true American history and civics, so they are unaware of America’s founding principles and their inalienable rights, which are outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. We must have a moral and educated citizenry if we are to preserve our constitutional republic. Our children are our future, and we must ensure that they receive an excellent education, including reading, writing, arithmetic, science, art, accurate history, and civics. Toward this end, I will support school choice and protect parental rights. |
