Election 2018: Candidate Profile Of Joe Schneider

This is one in an occasional series looking at candidates running in contested races on November 6. Today we profile Joseph Schneider. Schneider is running for the U.S. House of Representatives for the 6th Massachusetts Congressional District, which includes Amesbury, Beverly, Gloucester, Lynn, Newburyport, Peabody, Salem, Andover (Precincts 1, 7A, 8, and 9A), Boxford, Danvers, Essex, Georgetown, Groveland, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marblehead, Merrimac, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, North Andover, Rockport, Rowley, Salisbury, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham, and West Newbury in Essex County and Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, North Reading, Reading, Tewksbury, Wakefield and Wilmington in Middlesex County.

BEVERLY, MA -- Both Joseph Schneider and his opponent in Nov. 6's election, Rep. Seth Moulton, have noted that they both served in the military. And both have noted that the similarities pretty much end there.

Schneider is an aerospace, defense, security and high technology strategy consultant who graduated from West Point in 1972. At 68, Schneider is a first-time candidate for elected office. The following are responses he gave to questions Patch posed to all candidates running in contested races on November 6:

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

We have a hyper-partisan dysfunctional political system. I will work hard to enact term limits for Congress.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

The incumbent puts the interests of his party and his own self interests ahead of the interests of his constituents. I will be an independent voice always putting the interests of the constituents first. Rep. Moulton support comes from special interest and "dark money". My support comes from constituents, friends, classmates and family.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

He has voted for the largest spending bill in human history, the omnibus bill. It transfers taxpayer money to the special interests that have given Rep. Moulton $8 million directly and millions more through "dark money" investments in his political career. I would have voted against it as did half the Massachusetts delegation.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I will work hard to restore civility to the political process. First bill I will introduce is for Congress to have the same health care benefits as the rest of America.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest. Mark Twain.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

The mission of West Point is to train and inspire leaders of character for the nation. Character is defined as integrity, honesty and courage. I try to ensure that my life and my political positions are the embodiment of West Point values.

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Photo submitted by Joseph Schneider.Used with permission.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).