4th Congressional District race: Gardner seeks tax reform

Cory Gardner, the Republican incumbent in the 4th Congressional District, describes himself as a strong voice for rural families and small businesses. He knows both well. Gardner grew up working for his family's farm implement dealership in Yuma, the community he still calls home.

Gardner graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor's degree in political science, and then earned a law degree at the University of Colorado.

Prior to joining the Colorado House of Representatives in 2005, Gardner served as general counsel and legislative director for U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard. In 2010, he defeated incumbent Betsy Markey for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Gardner, his wife Jaime, and their two children live in a historic house that once belonged to his great-grandparents.

Colorado Community Media asked the following questions of the candidates in the 4th Congressional District. Below are Gardner's answers.

What makes you the best candidate for this office?

I represent the values of the district, and have a three-part plan will that will get this country back to work and turn our economy around.

First, we need comprehensive tax reform that is based on lower, flatter rates.

We also need regulatory certainty in this country. That is why I co-sponsored legislation that says any new major regulation is contingent on congressional approval.

Last but not least, we need to reduce the debt and deficit by passing a balanced budget amendment and supporting responsible entitlement reform.

If elected, what would you do to promote job growth?

Get government out of the way and let America work. We do this by providing regulatory and tax certainty for businesses.

In order to plan for future growth and hiring, businesses need to know what kind of regulations to expect and what rate their profits are going to be taxed at. I have supported legislation that would keep taxes from increasing next year and repeatedly voted to get rid of burdensome regulations.

What is the best way to meet the nation's growing energy demands?

Economic growth depends on abundant, affordable energy. We should meet America's growing demand by producing more American-made energy. I support a true “all of the above” strategy that includes development of traditional and renewable energy.

We cannot continue to rely on hostile countries for our energy. I have passed legislation to increase domestic energy, which, if signed into law, would create 50,000 jobs. I also support the Keystone XL pipeline.