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BORN: Feb. 11, 1967, Auburn, N.Y. EDUCATION: Cornell U, B.S., 1989 FAMILY: Wife, Amy; one child RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Insurance agent; teacher POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 426 Harvey Street, Punta Gorda 33950. Tel.: 941-575-6157
In what the local press calls a David-and-Goliath matchup, Nolan is definitely not Goliath. He has chosen to run his first political race against an incumbent he admits is "a popular guy" so that he can fight for entitlements and family values. Nolan believes it's important to balance the federal budget, but not at the expense of Medicare, school lunches, food stamps and public education. Although a former environmental-education teacher, he can't count on environmental advocacy as a pebble in his slingshot, because the popular guy is an advocate too.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I have a problem with pro-lifers who say they want mothers to have children, but aren't willing to step up and provide help with insurance and child care."
JOHN BYRON (D) District 15 (Central--Brevard, Osceola and Indian River counties; Palm Bay; Melbourne)
BORN: May 22, 1937, Omaha, Neb. EDUCATION: U of Washington, B.S., 1965 FAMILY: Wife, Bettie; five children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: Navy, 1956-93 OCCUPATION: Submarine commander; business manager POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 541 East New Haven Avenue, Melbourne 32901. Tel.: 407-952-8550
In an Army-Navy matchup in space territory, this former submarine commander hopes to surgically remove his first-term incumbent opponent. Byron stresses educational issues, especially supporting federal student-aid programs. A private-school graduate himself, Byron opposes efforts to spend public funds to send students to private schools.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion NO Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I think there needs to be a wall between church and state...I don't think you can make the public schools better by taking money away from them [with school vouchers for private schools]."
DAVE WELDON (R) District 15
BORN: Aug. 31, 1953, Amityville, N.Y. EDUCATION: State U of New York at Stony Brook, B.S., 1978; State U of New York at Buffalo, M.D., 1981 FAMILY: Wife, Nancy; one child RELIGION: Christian MILITARY: Army Medical Corps, 1981-87; Army Reserve, 1987-92 OCCUPATION: Physician POLITICAL CAREER: U.S. House, 1994- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 968, Melbourne 32902. Tel.: 407-676-6400
As a former army physician and as a Representative of the district in which the Kennedy Space Center is located, Weldon was a natural for the House Science Committee, where he is vice chairman of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. He has brought home money to expand NASA facilities at the space center and half a million dollars to plan Brevard County beach restoration.
THE ISSUES