John Sitka, III is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia’s Third District. His name will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
The 3rd congressional district of Virginia includes the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and parts of the city of Chesapeake.
Sitka, a Republican candidate, is challenging Rep. Bobby Scott, the Democratic incumbent, for the seat he has held since 1993.
The first day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office for this election is Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Click here to see who is on your ballot.
10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Name: John Sitka III
Age: 68
Race: U.S. House of Representatives, Virginia, 3rd District
Party: Republican
Website: https://sitkaforcongress.com/
Biography: Dr. John Sitka grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and he was the oldest of eight children of four sisters and three other brothers. He joined the Navy in 1974 and retired in 1994. While in the Navy, he was transferred to the Norfolk area in 1979. His three children attended Norview Elementary, Middle, and High School. Now, his grandchildren are also a part of the Norfolk Public School system. From 1994 to 2005, he sailed as a Merchant Mariner. Dr. Sitka first taught adult education for the Navy in 1989 and in the Maritime Education field from 2004 to 2019, both in commercial and community college settings. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Young Mariners Career Foundation to provide funding and educational opportunities for affected workers to facilitate education as professionals in the maritime and lifesaving trades.
Education:
Regent College, The University of the State of New York, graduated July 1995. Degree: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts.
Liberty University graduated in January 2002 with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling.
Liberty University graduated on April 6, 2016, with a Doctor of Education in Education Leadership.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running as the Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress VA-03. I see our country’s future in perilous times. Someone needs to stand up for people like myself, the LITTLE GUY. We are at the mercy of an out-of-control, overreaching government that has no regard for middle or lower-class Americans. That spends money that we do not have on illegal aliens, foreign countries, and over-bloated government agencies.
What are your thoughts on the direction of the country?
I am concerned about our country’s direction over the past three years for my children and grandchildren. It is rapidly heading toward a Socialist and Marxist government. I worry that our government’s overreach has affected every aspect of life and freedom. I see people in office constantly tramp on the Constitution. These same politicians are not being held accountable for their lawlessness while attacking their opponents for the actions these same politicians are committing themselves.
Are you backing a presidential candidate and if so why are they fit to run for office?
I am backing Former President Trump because he has a solid foreign policy against our nation’s adversaries. His economic policies have been proven successful under his administration. He takes border security seriously and takes the fentanyl crisis equally seriously. I support his energy policy of ALL the ABOVE. We need a strong nation; energy is the driving engine of our nation’s economy.
What are your top 2 or 3 priorities if you’re elected/reelected?
- Rebuilding a dying economy and creating a robust energy policy
- Secure the border and deport violent, illegal immigrants immediately
- Rebuild the Military
How should Congress address the issue of immigration?
Close the Border Now! Build the Wall, and remove the violent illegal immigrants immediately. I want less red tape/regulations for those seeking Legal Immigration. Let’s reward those who want to be U.S. citizens without violating Border Laws. Illegal immigration is not only costing our Nation untold Billions of dollars, but even at the State and local level, the cost is overburdening resources in Health Care, Schools, and crime.
How should Congress address climate change?
Even though that is an issue, I will be more than happy to discuss it. However, when I have these discussions with members of the Green Movement, they always shun Nuclear Power, which is the most Green Energy available to us today. As stated before, I support an energy policy for ALL the ABOVE. However, I also believe the U.S. has incredible technology and gifted people who, with a financial incentive, can develop technology to reduce emissions. Regardless, I do not support OVER-REGULATING various industries, private businesses, and farmers into economic oblivion just to satisfy some green goals decided by other nations that do not have our best interests in mind.
How should the U.S. approach foreign policy when it comes to Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, China and Taiwan relations, etc.?
To have a secure America, we need a strong Military and Economy! We need a leader who understands the world and our enemies. I strongly support Israel and would support any Bill that helps build or support our strongest ally in the region. I am not one for jumping into every conflict in the world. However, I am aware of China’s aggressive policy toward Taiwan, with whom we have an agreement to defend them in the event of an invasion. As for Ukraine, that is an example of why we shouldn’t be handing out money to any country without accountability. Some members on Capital Hill on both sides of the aisle have enriched themselves through the conflict in Ukraine. Let the European Union deal with the Ukraine issue since it is on its continent, and they do not need a free ride from U.S. involvement.
What are you hearing most from voters in your district?
The economy is a significant issue for Hampton Roads. It costs much more for rent/mortgages, groceries, and fuel. The rate of inflation has diminished their buying power. Buying a home or a new car for most is out of the question. They said they don’t see their futures as positive and worry about whether social security will exist and whether their investments and 401k will survive. Additionally, parents are upset with our schools since it is based on political indoctrination and not real education that matters for their children’s futures.
What’s an under the radar issue that’s maybe not getting enough attention?
The fentanyl crisis is where 5 Virginians die each as a result of fentanyl poisoning, and the purveyors are not being held accountable.
Many low-income people are not able to acquire federal assistance due to the poverty threshold being too low. Inflation under the current administration has made eligibility for program access out of reach. It is time to reevaluate this number and how the poverty threshold is calculated.
Social Security needs to be taken out of the General Fund. Congress needs to repay those funds stolen that belonged to hard-working Americans. Older Americans don’t need to be taxed on something they were forced to pay for out of their paychecks.