Republican challenger to Goodlatte kicks off 2012 campaign

STAUNTON — A 2012 Republican challenger to 6th District Rep. Bob Goodlatte said Thursday she would work for a tighter federal government if elected, and challenged the incumbent to a series of debates starting after the November elections.

Challenger Karen Kwiatkowski was openly critical of 10-term incumbent Goodlatte during her announcement at the Augusta County Courthouse.

Kwiatkowski’s entry into the race means Goodlatte will likely face her in a Republican primary or convention in the summer of 2012.

She described him as “unresponsive and self satisfied,” and as a representative who has failed to listen to the voters of the 6th District and instead voted with the establishment.

Neither the congressman nor his spokesman could be reached for comment on Thursday regarding Kwiatkowski’s challenge.

 Kwiatkowski said an establishment vote was cast most recently when Goodlatte voted to raise the debt ceiling.
     Shenandoah County resident Kwiatkowski spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and holds a doctorate in world politics from Catholic University. She now manages a small cattle farm.

She describes herself as a Republican who honors the Constitution, believes in liberty and is a hardcore fiscal conservative.

If elected to Congress, Kwiatkowski would work to reduce federal agency budgets, cut the benefits
members of Congress receive and redirect federal spending so that the savings could be offered to the states.
   Her reduction of congressional benefits would include reduced paychecks and eliminating the retirement and taxpayer-funded healthcare plans congressional members receive.

Kwiatkowski said Goodlatte previously supported ethanol subsidies but now claims to oppose them, and has supported the Patriot Act even though portions have been found to be unconstitutional.

Kwiatkowski wants to have at least three debates with Goodlatte across the 6th District, including one just after the November elections.

“I am ready to meet the incumbent anywhere in the 6th District and talk publicly about the issues, the philosophy of real conservatism, and the liberty that our founding fathers hoped we would enjoy,” she said.

 If Goodlatte fails to participate in a debate, Kwiatkowski plans debates with an empty chair representing the congressman.
   Kwiatkowski is not the only opposition for Goodlatte.

Democrat Andrew Schmookler announced his challenge earlier this year.

Schmookler, an author and also a Shenandoah County resident, said when announcing his challenge in April that the Republican Party has been consistently dishonest, chosen issues that divide America and has sought to make President Obama a failure during a time of national crisis.