DISCLAIMER: Rep. Smith, the interviewer, is a fellow Libertarian Party member and has endorsed Rep. Battle’s campaign for the District 5 Senate seat.

This is the transcript of an interview with with District 5 Senate Candidate Rep. Battle (L-VA-5) by Congressional Report Reporter Rep. Smith held June 19, 2020.

Rep. Smith: Welcome to the third part of the Congressional Report’s interview series with District 5 Senate candidates. I’m your host, Rep. Smith. Today I’m joined by the representative from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Libertarian candidate for the District 5 Senate seat, Rep. Battle. Rep. Battle, thank you so much for joining us!

Rep. Battle: Thank you Rep. Smith for inviting me on and hosting this great series!

Rep. Smith: My pleasure! So let’s jump right in! Tell us a little about your background and your experience in Congress thus far.

Rep. Battle: I am a amateur constitutional scholar and an avid history buff, particularly as it pertains to the founding of the nation and the political parties. I am currently representing Virginia’s 5th district as a Libertarian and have two pieces of legislation currently up for consideration.

Rep. Smith: That’s great, did you want to give a brief overview of those two bills you’re proposing to those who may not be aware?

Rep. Battle: It’d be my pleasure, the first bill I’m proposing is the Dignified Death Act, which after seeing a Psychologist and having a valid medical condition, a person could request an assisted suicide. My second bill, the ATF Deletion Act, would do exactly as it sounds, it would abolish the ATF and move the responsibilities of Alcohol and Tobacco to the FDA and would move Explosives and Firearms to the jurisdiction of the FBI.

Rep. Smith: Thank you for your explanations! Let’s dive into policy. What is your top issue you’ll fight for if elected to the Senate?

Rep. Battle: My biggest issue is Freedom, I believe that all people should have personal liberties, especially the LGBTQ+ community, they deserve every right that any other person would have. Personal freedoms is something I will never stop fighting for.

Rep. Smith: Thank you for that answer. There have been some critics who have questioned whether you have the experience necessary to be a Senator. How would you respond to those criticisms?

Rep. Battle: I believe that I have just the right amount of experience necessary for the job. In my second day of congress I put one bill up for consideration, and in my third another bill. I have showed what my policy is, and how I will fight for it, and for these reasons think I am more than qualified to be a senator. Not to mention, I have gained the support of my own party as well, and have been endorsed by my Party Leader.

Rep. Smith: Thank you for that. Moving on to the political side of the race. You’re running against several formidable candidates, including a former Senator from District 5. How do you plan to stand out from the field and show District 5 voters why they should support you?

Rep. Battle: I stand out from the field by showing both my opponents and the voters of District 5 that my policies always remain the same. There is no double talk, there is no sugar coating it, I am here to fight for their freedoms and ensure that no one is able to infringe upon them.

Rep. Smith: Thank you for that. To close us out, is there anything else you want the voters of District 5 to know about you and your platform before they cast their ballots? The floor is yours to speak on the topic of your choice.

Rep. Battle: I’d like to close out with speaking on my biggest policy, freedom. People should have the freedom to love who they want, wear what they want, worship as they see fit, and protect themselves and their family’s if they choose to, freedom should never be infringed.

Rep. Smith: Thank you so much for that, and thank you for taking the time to sit down with us today.

Rep. Battle: Thank you for taking the time to conduct this interview with me.

Rep. Smith: My pleasure! This has been the third part of the Congressional Report’s interview series with candidates for the District 5 Senate seat. I’m Rep. Smith, signing off.