Justin Bernier (CT-05)

Notable Headlines ...................................................................................... 2 Editorials.................................................................................................... 2 Budget Issues ............................................................................................. 2 Business and Consumer Issues .................................................................. 2 Campaign Finance Issues........................................................................... 2 Crime & Public Safety Issues .................................................................... 3 Economic and Financial Issues .................................................................. 3 Education Issues ........................................................................................ 3 Energy Issues ............................................................................................. 3 Ethics Issues .............................................................................................. 3 Foreign Policy Issues Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea ................... 3 Gay and Lesbian Issues.............................................................................. 3 Gun Issues ................................................................................................. 3 Health Care Issues ..................................................................................... 3 Immigration and Border Issues .................................................................. 4 Israel .......................................................................................................... 4 Labor and Working Family Issues ............................................................. 4 National Security Issues............................................................................. 4 Other Social Issues .................................................................................... 4 Stem Cells .................................................................................................. 4 Tax Issues .................................................................................................. 4 Tea Party .................................................................................................... 4 Transportation Issues ................................................................................. 4 Womens Issues ......................................................................................... 5 Miscellaneous ............................................................................................ 5 2012 Campaign .......................................................................................... 5

Notable Headlines
CT House GOP Candidate Wants Spending At 1998 Levels [Talking Points Memo, 1/27/11]

Editorials Budget Issues

Bernier: Government Needs to Return to 1998 Spending Levels In July 2011, Republican candidate Justin Bernier said that the federal government needs to return to 1998 spending levels as a percentage of GDP. With GDP at about $15 trillion, that would require a reduction of about $500 billion in spending to achieve anything close to the budget surplus seen in 1998. [CTMirror.org,
7/15/11]

Bernier Signed Cut, Cap, and Balance Pledge In July 2011, Republican Justin Bernier Marino joined with more than 40 conservative groups and 20 members of congress to sign the Cut, Cap, Balance pledge, committing to opposing any effort to raise the debt ceiling that does not come with substantial spending cuts beginning in fiscal 2012, enforceable spending caps and congressional passage of an amendment to the US Constitution that would require a balance budget, spending limits and a super-majority for rising taxes. Bernier is the first candidate in Connecticut to sign the pledge. He said, The Cut, Cap, and Balance pledge is a sensible way to break the politicians addiction to overspending and to show the world that America is getting its finances in order. [facebook.com, 7/12/11] Bernier Wanted Spending Down to 1998 Levels In a January 2011 campaign video, Bernier said, Lets get federal spending below 1998 levels. Compared to current federal spending, Berniers proposal would be a 57 percent spending cut. [Talking Points Memo, 1/27/11]

Business and Consumer Issues Campaign Finance Issues

Bernier: Received Donations From Haley Barbour

Bernier received a $1,000 donation from Mississippi governor Haley Barbours PAC. [courant.com, 10/17/2011] Bernier: Received Donations From Freedoms Defense Fund Bernier received a $1,000 donation from the Freedoms Defense Fund, a group the New York times accused of running harsh attack ads against Obama in 2008. [courant.com, 10/17/2011] Bernier: Received Donation From DeLuca Bernier received a donation of $500 from Lou DeLuca, former Senate minority leader who stepped down after pleading guilty in a misdemeanor charge of conspiring to threaten his grandson-in-law. [courant.com, 10/17/2011] Bernier: Raised Over $160,000 in Q3 In October 2011, Bernier raised over $160,000 in Q3, beating his rivals and taking in more money than Q2. [courant.com, 10/16/2011]

Crime & Public Safety Issues Economic and Financial Issues Education Issues Energy Issues Ethics Issues Foreign Policy Issues Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea Gay and Lesbian Issues Gun Issues Health Care Issues

Immigration and Border Issues Israel Labor and Working Family Issues National Security Issues Other Social Issues Stem Cells Tax Issues
Would Fight to Cut Taxes, Not to Make Deals with Democrats In July 2011, Republican candidate Justin Bernier said that, if elected, hed fight to cut taxes, not to make deals with Democrats. Bernier said, Voters tell me they want to see commonsense spending reductions and policies that will let our economy get off the map. They know that closing the budget deficit requires more taxpayers not more taxes. [courant.com, 7/23/11]

Tea Party
Bernier Veered to the Right In June 2011, Connecticut Confidential reported that Republican candidate for Connecticuts fifth district Justin Bernier has continued to veer to the right as he tries to win the Republican endorsement.
[Connecticut Confidential, 6/08/2011]

Transportation Issues

Womens Issues Miscellaneous

Bernier: Would Fight to Cut Taxes, Not to Make Deals with Democrats In July 2011, Republican candidate Justin Bernier said that, if elected, hed fight to cut taxes, not to make deals with Democrats. Bernier said, Voters tell me they want to see commonsense spending reductions and policies that will let our economy get off the map. They know that closing the budget deficit requires more taxpayers not more taxes. [courant.com, 7/23/11] Republicans Need to Remind Voters that We Can Grow Our Way Out of A Lot of These Problems In July 2011, Republican Justin Bernier said, 'Democrats are trying to make this election about Republicans cutting services to taxpayers and the elderly. That's not the case. We're talking about cutting waste and getting government down to its correct size. Republicans need to remind voters about economic growth, and that we can grow our way out of a lot of these problems and that the only way you can get job creation is through economic growth and not through cutting alone. Democrats just want to talk about the cutting side of the ledger because they don't have a plan for economic growth. [ctnews.com, 7/10/11] Electricity Costs and Healthcare Costs are Major Problems Facing Connecticut In July 2011, Republican Justin Bernier said, Connecticut has the highest electricity costs in the continental United States. That makes manufacturing in Connecticut very expensive. We also have the highest healthcare costs or thereabout, which also makes it hard for folks to hire new employees. We need to get healthcare costs down using common sense solutions rather than Obamacare. [ctnews.com, 7/10/11]

2012 Campaign
Proposed GOP Primary Pledge In January 2012, Justin Bernier proposed a pledge in which signers agreed to withdraw from the race for Congress if they do not receive at least 15 percent of the vote at the state's Republican Party Convention. The Republican presidential primary has become a bloodbath, Bernier said. The personal attacks being used will only help Barack Obama in the end. I believe we are seeing this because there is a crowded field of candidates whose campaign managers and consultants play to a media that prefers to cover Republican infighting instead of the issues. [ctstatepolitics.blogspot.com, 1/30/12] Obama Missed an Opportunity with SOTU Address

In January 2012, Bernier criticized President Obamas State of the Union address. President Obama missed an opportunity to lead tonight, Bernier said. He talked about how our military uses teamwork to achieve common goals, but quickly blamed others for the grave state of our union. Thats not real leadership. Candidate Obama departs the capital for the campaign trail tomorrow morning. Its now up to the Republicans to offer voters real leadership and real solutions for moving America forward again. [Hartford Courant, 1/25/12] Called Himself GOP Frontrunner on Fundraiser Invitation In November 2011, Berniers campaign listed him as the frontrunner on a fundraiser invitation and cited the fact that Bernier had been put on the NRCCs On the Radar program, despite the fact that 4 of the Republicans running for the seat were put on the program. [Connecticut Mirror, 11/20/2011] Bernier: Received Endorsement From Thomaston Republicans In October 2011, Bernier received an endorsement from the Thomaston Republican Town Committee. The chairman of the RTC said, Justin is a patriot who volunteered for duty in Afghanistan as a Naval Intelligence officer. Hes a particularly strong candidate, and one Republicans in Connecticut should be very proud of. Bernier said, Theres a growing buzz around Connecticut that Republicans have a great opportunity to pick up a seat in the Fifth District. The Thomaston endorsement, along with the support weve received from Republican leaders all over the district, are a testament to the growing enthusiasm surrounding our campaign. [foothillsmediagroup.com, 10/12/2011] Bernier: Received Endorsement From Canaan Republicans In October 2011, Bernier received an endorsement from the Canaan Republican Town Committee, making them the first Republican Town Committee in Connecticut to endorse a candidate. The chairman of the Canaan RTC said, Justin is exactly the kind of leader we need in Congress. Hes been out in front on issues like the Balanced Budget Amendment, dynamic spending reform and the growing threat of inflation. As a veteran and naval intelligence officer, Justin has the experience and leadership qualities that Congress desperately needs. It wouldnt hurt to have a little more intelligence in the Capitol as well. Bernier said, Im honored by the outpouring of support we are receiving in Canaan and the other 40 towns in the district. Theres a buzz in Connecticut: nearly everyone on the campaign trail I speak with is disappointed by the lack of leadership in Washington and Hartford. Voters tell me they want to elect leaders who will work for fiscal responsibility and economic growth. [registercitizen.com, 10/11/2011] Bernier Announced Support of Republican Leaders

In June 2011, Bernier announced the support of 60 Republican leaders for his Congressional Campaign. The list of supporters includes Republican activists, officeholders, and town committee members from 27 municipalities across western Connecticut. Thirty-eight of the 60 supporters served as delegates during the 2010 Connecticut Republican Convention. [Connecticut Mirror, 6/21/11] Caliguiri, Bernier and Greenberg Considered Another Run for Office In January 2011, the National Journal reported, The three Republican musketeers who ran against Rep. Chris Murphy (R) in '10 -- ex-cong. aide Justin Bernier, ex-state Sen./'10 nominee Sam Caligiuri and hardware owner/businessman Mark Greenberg appear ready to take to the field again now that Murphy is running for Senate in '12. [National Journal, 1/24/11]