Our examination of the Sixth District House race continues with the views of a first-time candidate. There are two Republicans and two Democrats vying for votes in next Tuesday’s primary.
67-year-old Roger Brill decided at the last-minute to challenge GOP incumbent Andy Barr. Brill, who has owned a steel fabrication company for close to four decades, says he filed because it appeared no one else would take on Barr.
When asked about the biggest issue facing Central Kentucky, Brill doesn’t hesitate in saying, "Securing the U.S. border.” He says it’s partly about lessening drug violence faced by Mexican families. “It’s simply logical. If the cartels could not get their product across the border, they would not be on the border. They would try to get it in some other way and all this horror would not occur,” said Brill.
Brill argues illegal drugs would be more expensive if the U.S.-Mexico border was more tightly secured.
As far as U.S. involvement overseas, Brill says it’s not the American government’s business who is president of Syria.
In the area of energy policy, Brill thinks Kentucky coal will still be viable in 20 years. The certified welder says he believes coal will come back. He's just not sure how.
He sees pitfalls with relying too heavily on renewable sources of energy like wind and solar power, "Their output is highly variable. Sometimes the wind doesn’t blow. Sometimes the sun doesn’t shine." "Every one of these plants has to be backed up with a natural gas generator,” said Brill.
Brill is not interested in a long period of service in Washington. He says term limits are absolutely necessary, but he realizes it’s a tall task with political challenges and constitutional requirements.
Reducing the partisan friction in the nation’s Capitol is an ongoing issue, which garners much talk among candidates on both sides of the political aisle. Brill says common ground can be found, but adds, it will probably be measured in square inches and not acres.
Brill is facing an uphill fight when it comes to financing a political campaign, going up against a two-term incumbent. He contends “big money” tends to come from supporters with an agenda. “People that make the little contributions sincerely support the candidates. People that make the big contributions want something in return,” explains Brill.
While never running for office before, Roger Brill has been active on the political sidelines. In the presidential race, the long-time businessman initially supported Ted Cruz. Now with Donald Trump in the driver’s seat, he thinks he understands how Trump got there, “One thing in Mr. Trump’s favor is that our country is so screwed up, that only a crazy man can fix it."
Brill’s race against Andy Barr will be one of just two Republican contests on the Primary ballot next week. GOP supporters already cast their votes in the presidential caucus in early March. ?
