Why I Back Ray Nash For Congress

I have long been a fan of Mark Sanford and I still am. Yet some who know me have wondered why I am backing Ray Nash in the election for US House District 1. Like many others in recent days and weeks across southern coastal South Carolina and beyond, I have been impressed with Ray Nash’s principled conservative positions, rock-solid integrity, and fundamental belief in a Constitutionally-limited approach to government.

I first heard Ray Nash at a Charleston County Republican Party meeting about a month ago. At the meeting he articulated a solid conservative message of cutting spending, eliminating several departments, following the Constitution, ridding ourselves of the IRS, protecting civil liberties, and ending overseas nation-building. I was intrigued but skeptical as I usually am when I hear candidates talk.

Not long after at a major grassroots candidate forum sponsored by FreedomWorks and other conservative organizations, I had an opportunity to hear Ray Nash discuss issues much more in depth than I had before. It became clear that Nash was not giving talking points; he was speaking from the heart. He was well-read and well-versed on the topics and had a thorough understanding that contrasted sharply with other candidates. I was not the only one to walk away with that impression; in fact, he scored higher than any other candidate in a scorecard graded by representatives of a number of local conservative groups at that event, edging out my long-time hero, Mark Sanford.

On February 20th, Nash attended a Republican Liberty Caucus forum which proved to be a pivotal moment for me in the path towards backing Nash. As we asked questions that I fully expected him to waiver on, he did no such thing; in fact, he continued to build support among RLC members with his consistent defense of individual liberty and limited government. For instance, when asked about NDAA indefinite detentions, not only did Nash oppose indefinite detentions without due process, but he also brought up his opposition to drone attacks against non-combatant US citizens within the United States and argued against any such attacks without the rights guaranteed to citizens under the Constitution.

Of course, opposing drone strikes on US citizens is not especially surprising today in the aftermath of Rand Paul’s filibuster. Ray Nash, however, raised an objection to drone strikes two full weeks before the filibuster that brought the issue to the attention of Main Street America. Nash was ahead of the curve. He was leading. Nash’s commitment to civil liberties and due process is solid and heart-felt.

Ultimately, I was persuaded to support Nash because of his leadership on civil liberties and due process, his commitment to limited government, and his thorough understanding of the Constitution and the founders who wrote it and ratified it. Ray Nash not only gets my endorsement and my vote but he has earned my respect. He is a man of faith, integrity, and character. He has led a life of true public service: Not in pursuit of fame and high political office but in defense of the defenseless as a law enforcement officer and first-responder. He has strong conservative convictions, a heart of compassion and humility, a voice that is articulate and persuasive, and a vision for a more free and prosperous America. He not only has the right ideas but the understanding and persuasiveness to go to Congress and lead his colleagues in the march for freedom.

There is no doubt that Ray Nash is the right man for Congress for such a time as this. Please vote for him on March 19th. You can visit his web site at http://NashForCongress.com.