Credit: Erich Martin/NewtownPANow.com
For Dr. Marc Duome, the call to get into politics comes from wanting to change the course of America for his grandkids.
Duome became a grandfather 15 months ago and quickly decided that he wanted to run for office in order to try to change the direction the country is heading.
Running as a Republican, Duome is valuing the importance of fresh minds in congress. Duome has been in the private sector for over 30 years, working as a neuropsychologist and a clinical psychologist in Middletown.
“People are tired of the career politicians,” Duome said. “I think our profession has a lot to offer the country in terms of being secure.”
Duome, a resident of Buckingham, persists in saying that he would represent the will of his constituents. He does have his own voice when it comes to local issues as well, though.
Medical marijuana has gotten a strong push recently at the state level in Pennsylvania and has been approved on the state-level in many states. Some of these states have even moved to legalize marijuana in a recreational fashion. Duome supports the medicinal qualities of the drug but indicates that he stands against a recreational legalization push. Due to varying standards in terms of levels of intoxication, regulation is something that needs to be fully sorted out before marijuana gains widespread use as a medicine, Duome said.
“The use of medical marijuana is wonderful if it is properly regulated,” he explained.
When it comes to jobs and the economy in the Eight Congressional District, Duome mentions that his experience in business could go a great length towards helping the business owners of the district to create jobs. He commented on the regulations that he feels are stifling small businesses and noted that small private businesses are really the entities that create jobs.
“We don’t need any more attorneys in D.C.,” Duome said.
The issue of the proposed Elcon waste water treatment facility in Falls Township has been a huge discussion point in Bucks County as of late. Duome noted that he understands that the issue is a local one, and if the decision came down to him, he would not hesitate to support the consensus of his constituents.
Moving to a more national focus, the discussion moved to the question of whether or not the sitting senate should confirm a new supreme court justice before November’s election.
“We’re a short distance away form the election, I think we should let the people decide,” Duome said.
The neuropsychologist and clinical psychologist commented on the political gridlock that Washington D.C. has been facing in recent times. Describing himself as a “problem solver,” Duome believes that he could help to begin getting things done in Congress. “As a problem solver, you need to make things work. You can’t say ‘my way or the highway,’ that’s not going to work.”
During an interview with LevittownNow.com, Duome has declared that if he is elected, he would serve no more than three terms while working to install congressional term limits.
Recovery homes and the heroin epidemic in the lower end of the county are also problems that Duome mentioned. He said that too much regulation is a slippery slope and that regulations of recovery homes need to be revisited and fine tuned.
Another large issue that candidates are speaking on coming up to the April primary is Planned Parenthood. Duome stated that the organization should be defunded. He also stressed that his beliefs aren’t anti-women but more so easily described as “anti-bloat.”
“There are plenty of other worthy female-based services that would welcome our funding in the country,” Duome said. He mentioned that he does not believe that the government should be funding abortions.
In recent weeks, Duome signs have been popping up along area roads and he has been making a push to get his name out to Republican voters ahead of the Tuesday, April 26 primary.
Duome is running against fellow Republicans Brian Fitzpatrick and Andy Warren, both of Middletown.
