Why are you running for public office?
I am running for office because I am tired of millionaires and billionaires running everything now. What happened to “by the people, for the people and of the people”? Our founding fathers did not plan on the United States being run by the rich and famous. They wanted regular people to step up and participate in our country’s affairs. They did not want career politicians. They knew that would be a problem, and they knew that money should not be the deciding factor in every decision. Somewhere along the way we lost our focus. We need to find our way back to a more sane political arena. We need to go back to a time where decency and morals were important, and not just religious posturing to impress the voters.
I am also running because I come from the working class, and have always been a part of the working class. I understand poverty from experience. It is not just an abstract concept for me. I know what it’s like to work your butt off for decades and still not get out of poverty. I know the pain of choosing whether to buy new clothes that are much needed or pay the rent.
I want to give the voters in my district a chance to change directions. Let’s get out from under the hands of the millionaires and let’s take our country back. We deserve it. It’s past time.
Do you believe that old adage, “all politics is local” or do you believe it’s time to nationalize federal elections?
I do not believe all politics are local. That has never made any sense to me. I would like to see each state have their caucus or primary to determine their pick, and then each state gets one vote toward the presidency. Let DC and Puerto Rico vote together, and that will give us 51 votes.
What are the highlights you’d like to draw attention to in your resume and your upbringing that uniquely qualifies you to represent your district/state?
I was taught good morals from my parents and in Sunday School, and those morals were reinforced when I became a Boy Scout. Soon after I turned 18 I joined the Army to serve my country and take advantage of the GI Bill to get a college education. I served in the 101st Airborne Division.
Later on in life I was ordained into the ministry, and over the years I did various things as a minister, for example, I facilitated a Bible Study in a local prison. I preached at various churches, led Sunday School and Bible Studies, had a radio ministry and a prison ministry. I wrote Christian books and a Bible Correspondence Course that was distributed nation wide.
I also volunteered in a Christian 12 step ministry called Celebrate Recovery, and I have helped many alcoholics and addicts in their recovery over the years.
I have faced many challenges in my life that could have killed me, and one of those challenges almost did. I was an alcoholic by the time I turned 18, and I nearly killed myself with alcohol and drugs. I got into recovery when I was 28 years old, took my last drink at age 29, and now I have been clean and sober for almost 36 years. I owe that to God, a wonderful 12 step program, and a few amazing people that were there for me.
At the age of 30 I started college. I pursued my education until I earned an Associate Degree in Word Processing, a Bachelors in Organizational Management, and a Master’s and Doctorate in Ministry. I did this while working, as I could not afford to not work.
I was in the work force for over 40 years, doing many jobs, factory work, vacuum cleaner salesman, warehouse work, and even washed a few dishes in a restaurant, and many cars when I worked at a car wash. I have also worked in a church as Minister of Evangelism, Minister of Small Groups, and Pastoral Care Minister. I am proud to be from the working class. We do what we have to in order to live and feed our families. That is why I will always be in favor of helping the working class and the poor.
I have always worked hard until a few years back, when due to health issues I found myself having to get on disability. Since then I have volunteered as Manager of a Sober Living House and helping men in recovery. I also served as president of a non-profit for one year, and I still serve on the board of directors.
I am also a seasoned author. I have written and published eight books that are available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and a few other top book distributors. One of the books is my autobiography. It is called No One Walks Alone.
I am a Christian and my faith is very important to me. I was raised Southern Baptist, ordained into the ministry as a Full Gospel minister, and was recently confirmed as a Roman Catholic. God is in first place in my life, and my willingness to serve as a U.S. Congressman is part of me living out that faith.
I say all this to let you know that I am no stranger to adversity, and I have faced many challenges and came out on top. I will make this kind of tenacity work for me and northeast Tennessee. I hope the voters give me a chance to serve.
What is the policy that has your heart? Is there a policy that you’re more passionate about than any other?
The number one concern for me is the human trafficking epidemic in northeast Tennessee. I realize it is a world-wide problem, but I don’t have influence over the whole world, but I can speak out in northeast Tennessee. If I am elected I will do everything in my power to put a stop to this horrible disease in our district.
Senator Marsha Blackburn and President Trump have also spoken out on this, and are doing what they can to address this issue. I don’t agree with republicans on much, but I will be proud to stand with them on this issue. We need to seek out these human trafficker menaces to society and lock them up and throw away the key.
What will you do to attract business to the state or stimulate your economy while protecting the rights of workers?
I will work with the governor and individual counties and cities to work out ways to bring business in, but I will fight with everything in me to protect the rights of workers. I will be pro-union. I believe everyone in America should be allowed to join a union, and every union has a right to exist.
Republicans are historically anti-union and will do all they can to squash the unions and deprive the workers of all the rights they can. I will work to get the minimum wage raised to $15 per hour for every worker in the 1st District. When I vote in Washington D.C. I will always vote in favor of the working class also.
Republicans have run the 1st District since 1881. It is time for a change. Let us make some progressive decisions and move forward with the rest of the world.
What policies will you advocate for to improve healthcare in your state: access and cost?
We need to go to a single-payer system. We can make that happen for all Americans, just as it is in other developed nations, and I will work hard to do exactly that. Lives would be saved.
What is one policy that you believe in that you think you can work with Republicans in the legislature to improve the lives of constituents in a bipartisan way?
I can and will work with republicans on two issues, the 2nd Amendment and Abortion. I am in favor of keeping our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. That should never be taken away. Also, I am against abortion. I value and respect human life, and a baby is a human both before and after birth. I feel strongly about that.
Steve Holder 