Millsboro native Bill Taylor files for U.S. Senate candidacy
DELAWARE – A Millsboro native is running for United States Senate, and he’s not your average politician. In fact, this is his first foray into public office.
“Stuff that really shouldn’t affect your life is now affecting your life. That was one of the main reasons I wanted to jump in,” Bill Taylor said as he sat down with 47 ABC WMDT. “It’s that old saying, frog in a boiling pot. Well, instead of just jumping out and jumping ship, I’m thinking ‘where is the heat coming from and how can we eliminate this heat?”
“Straight shooter”
A classic car enthusiast, firearm collector, businessman, and avid outdoorsman, Taylor calls himself a “straight shooter.”
“I don’t like seeing people’s rights taken away. I like people to be able to do what they want to do. As long as they’re not hurting anybody, that’s the point of most things,” Taylor said. “If you’re going to ask me a question, it’s going to be a yes or no. I don’t care what topic it is, I will give you a yes and explain on it or a no and explain on it. You don’t see that in politics.”
Aiming for U.S. Senate
Taylor, being a political newcomer, says he wanted to shoot for the U.S. Senate because he’s passionate about defending constitutional rights; that includes the second amendment, and freedom of speech.
“The Senate is where they have control, and they make legislation based on the constitution,” said Taylor. “That’s why we have those freedoms. They were written a long time ago, but they have stood the test of time. You can’t argue with something that’s been around for 200 years, and everybody sill wants to go by it.”
Goals if Elected
One of the areas where Taylor feels the federal government is encroaching upon its citizens, is increasing emissions regulations.
“It all sounds nice on paper. All you’re doing is outsourcing your pollution,” said Taylor. “Either a coal plant is going to burn it, you’re buying stuff from China, or something like that. And, when you look at the mining they do for lithium batteries, or for anything along that line, we might be a green country; but the world is not going to be greener.”
Specifically, Taylor aims to get a seat on the the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
“There’s a big difference between somebody who is a conservationist, and somebody that’s an environmentalist. I’m a conservationist,” said Taylor. “I understand that you might have to give a little to get what you want. You just can’t let Mother Nature run wild, because you will have forest fires, you will have deer running across the street. It takes a natural balance.”
Taylor also hopes to help spur the economy through encouraging career growth, if elected. “I hear a lot of people wanting to create jobs. I’d rather see you get into a career, because that way you can work your way up the ladder,” he said. “If we had those tools here, if we had those jobs here, we could flip over and take care of things. I’ve got the feeling of that we’re losing that edge of we can make something ourselves.”
Meeting the People
As the campaign trail stretches out in front of Taylor, he says he will be busy attending community events, and meeting as many people as possible.
“I thought everybody would look at me and go, ‘Are you sure? Are you crazy?’ But, it’s been nothing but positive feedback. It’s kind of been overwhelming at times,” said Taylor. “I’ve talked to a lot our local state representatives and state senators, and every one of them has been kind, has been wanting to back [me]. ‘Is there anything I can do to help?'”
“We’re all in here together.”
Taylor believes that federal politics need to be more honest and transparent; and, those representing Delaware on the federal level should look out for their neighbors, as well.
“We get career politicians by people that stay in and work their way up, or just stay in. Everybody says term limits, but the best term limits are the voters. If you don’t like somebody, you vote them out; simple as that,” Taylor said. “Yeah, I’m running for Delaware; but, the Eastern Shore means just as much to me. I grew up fishing in the Nanticoke. It’s not just Delaware. We’re all in here together.”
Looking Ahead
If Taylor succeeds in the primary election, he will be competing against U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware in the race. Both are aiming to fill the seat that will be left vacant upon U.S. Senator Tom Carper’s retirement.
