Candidate Name: Mark Pugh

Party: Republican

Age: 58

Hometown: Leipsic

Political experience: Town Council & Mayor of Leipsic

Professional experience: Draftsman- Playtex & Star Design, Mechanical Designer-Metal Masters, VP- Pugh's Service Inc, Co-Owner & Realtor - The Home Team @ Keller Williams Realty, Co-Owner - PSE LLC / Pugh's Service. Community Service: Life Member Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company (Age 14 years), Co-Chair Kent County CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Delaware, Co-Chair Meals on Wheels Strawberry Festival Golf Tournament, Member Ducks Unlimited, Dover Colonial Rotary Rotarian and President, Smyrna/Clayton Rotary Rotarian.  

What are the top three issues for this office in your view?   

• Education: Delaware currently ranks 24th in the country in terms of educating our students. We are also near the bottom in SAT scoring. As a skills-based employer, we see a lack of talent in these areas as well as a lack of basic academic knowledge. Speaking with college administrators, I've learned that they feel roughly 15% of students are college ready. These facts don't bode well for our students, families, or Delaware's future. Today's K-12 education system's model is obsolete; it was developed years ago when mothers stayed home and children were guided in life skills, resulting in an all-inclusive school day. In most cases, this family-oriented model is not what our homes look like today. Many students come home to an empty house only to be taught such essential skills by the TV, video games, or the streets. I have proposed a new strategy that addresses these issues and remakes our schools into a model that fits today's family. It is a flexible model for today's family and today's schools and allows parents to take the reins in the complete education of their sons and daughters, both in and out of school. It aspires to a singular high standard and allows schools and teachers the creative freedom to help each student attain it. To see my plan, please visit my website. www.makedelawarebetter.com
• Inflation/Economy/Jobs: Inflation/Economy/Jobs: Can State government positively affect these challenges? I say yes! The quality of life it can offer its employees is one of the top reasons a business elects to establish and maintain a presence in an area, and the quality of education available in that area is central to that quality of life. The fact is, Delaware is so tiny that the entire State is viewed as a single location option by corporate businesses. We have lost many prominent manufacturers and industry leaders such as Chrysler, GM, Dupont, and others precisely because the quality of life our State has to offer couldn't compete with that of other States. Delaware's State Government is our largest employer. That must change if we are ever going to improve the standard of living we offer to families, retirees, and all citizens. Delaware is uniquely advantaged geographically and has the potential to set the national standard for living conditions. To do so, however, we must devise and implement policies that once again attract the types of businesses needed to create that high quality of living. One of Delaware's most significant advantages is that we're small. This should allow us to be flexible and make us an attractive place to set up shop! It's great that we have proximity to commercial shipping ports and urban centers of commerce - but that's not enough. That's why, for example, BMW chose South Carolina as their second home instead of us (https://www.bmwblog.com/2017/07/09/bmw-chose-south-carolina-second-home/).
• In addition to a strategic location, we need to offer an educated workforce, a top-rated infrastructure, a business-friendly tax and regulatory climate, a secure and safe environment, and recreational and cultural amenities that define a prosperous community. The good news is that with proper leadership, all of that is within our reach!
• Public Safety: Public Safety is the backbone of our quality of life. I am a life member of the Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company. I understand the extreme value in terms of tax dollars, life, and property our public safety agencies play in our quality of life. One part that is seldom pointed out is the amazing degree of positive influence these outstanding houses of volunteerism provide. The value of the life experience they give our young people is incalculable. I joined our fire company when I was 14 years old. The lessons of responsibility, work ethic, and leadership given to me are sorely needed in our youth today. I will be a huge advocate for our public safety sector, and I look forward to doing everything I can to help the great community-minded individuals that lead it.

What would be your top priority if elected?

Bringing a great education system that delivers opportunity for all and is worthy of every child’s dreams.  

If you could change one state policy or law, what would it be?

My team and I have knocked on over 14,000 doors. This is what the folks of the 14th have personally told me they want; go to Dover and work for us - not a party but for us! For me, this will be very easy. I'm far less concerned with partisan politics than I am with representing the people I represent. This is my mission statement you can find on my website:

"Family, community, and education are the bedrock upon which the pillars of excellence are built. Opportunity, freedom, and prosperity spring from these integral values. Delaware was dubbed the "Small Wonder" and aptly regarded as the jewel atop the "shining city on the hill" when these traits were cultivated harmoniously. Family was once celebrated, and education was considered paramount. I intend to be a voice that heralds the good works of our past and welcomes the positive voices of the future.

Is bringing about a better Delaware something you care about? This is my primary focus, and a better Delaware tomorrow starts with a better plan today! Through a common-sense approach to issues and returning the focus back to our families and communities, we can make huge strides in the betterment of all Delawareans. I am thrilled you've decided to invest some of your time to learn about my vision for our state and the amazing folks we call neighbors. I invite you to step into my website, and I hope you come away inspired!"

What can Delaware do about its workforce issues?

Please see my comments above.

What, if any, gun laws would you change?

Nobody wants criminals and the mentally ill to be able to acquire guns and ammunition. Everyone agrees on that. However, disarming the law-abiding is not the solution to curbing the epidemic of violent crime and does nothing to alleviate it. Disarming the law-abiding would only make victims and potential victims of violent crime all the more vulnerable. Instead, we must focus on things like ending the revolving door justice system and making school security a priority. Every student, teacher, and school employee have the right to the expectation that they will return home safely to their family every day. Soft targets of violent crime must be eliminated.

How would you protect or change abortion rights in the state?

Irrespective of how one may view the ethics surrounding the nature of the procedure itself, I think the overwhelming majority of people would agree that abortion should not be utilized as a routine method of birth control. After all, a lot has changed since the early seventies when safe and effective contraception was hard to get and stigmatized. Today, safe and effective contraception is inexpensive, readily available, and socially acceptable. Consequently, using proper contraception should always be society's strong preference. However, in the event of an unwanted pregnancy, my view is that surgical termination of the pregnancy is an option that should not be without time limitations - which is consistent with current Delaware law. Where that time limit is defined is something that I feel is a fair question for future debate - at least in the context of situations in which there is no impending medical danger to either the mother or the child. Regardless of legal boundaries and ethical questions, though, I believe that any expectant mother considering having an abortion is entitled to comprehensive and politically neutral information regarding the procedure so that she can make an independent decision. 

Do you support the State Employee Benefits Committee’s move to Medicare Advantage Plan for state retirees? Why?

I don’t. Talk to the everyday state employee. They chose to work for our state for the benefits and forego receiving higher pay elsewhere. They were told, “While the pay isn’t as great the benefits are”. People make life decisions based on the information given. For me, this is as simple as keeping your word and a promise is just that, a promise. I completely support our state retirees. When an employer goes back on their word the difficulty in attracting qualified, hardworking people suffers greatly.