Keith Fimian - Political Positions

Political Positions

Fimian supports a repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and proposes in his platform to tackle individual health care problems with "stand alone legislation". He estimates "most Americans like the coverage they have."

Fimian has made energy issues a central component of his political platform. He favors an expansion of offshore oil drilling where possible and has been interviewed about his energy policy positions by the news media. In response to a U.S. Department of Defense study concluding that drilling off Virginia's coastline would interfere with military activities and equipment covering 72% of the area, Fimian responded "so that still leaves one quarter" (for exploration and production), and suggested the use of directional drilling to access deposits and the drilling of areas north of the "tidewater" areas where leases have been proposed.

Fimian has advocated for ratification of new free trade agreements to spur economic growth. He believes in securing the southern border with Mexico while streamlining the immigration process, and a strong national defense.

On fiscal matters, he supports reducing federal spending through a federal balanced budget amendment, has proposed privatizing social security, and abolishing the United States Department of Education. He proposes simplifying the Internal Revenue Code, and has also pledged to oppose any and all tax increases.

On constitutional issues, according to his website, he is pro-life, opposes same-sex marriage, and supports Second Amendment rights. Fimian is opposed to voting representation in Congress for District of Columbia residents Fimian encountered controversy when he was asked about the idea of repealing the Seventeenth Amendment, which allowed for the direct election of U.S. senators, who were appointed by the state legislatures until the amendment was ratified. In a June 4, 2010 WTOP Radio debate preceding the Republican primary between Fimian and Herrity, host Mark Plotkin asked the two candidates whether they would support repealing the 17th Amendment. Then Fimian said, "There is some merit to that. Why it was changed in 1910...I'm not totally sure. There is merit. And frankly, I would entertain hearing both sides of that argument before I would say yes or no, but I am inclined to say no."

On economic issues, Fimian opposes tax increases, supports eliminating the capital gains tax on start-up companies and cutting the payroll tax in half for small businesses until unemployment is reduced to 5%.