This is the transcript of an interview with with District 5 Senate Candidate Rep. Carton (SP-FR-5) by Congressional Report Reporter Rep. Smith held June 18, 2020.

Rep. Smith: Thank you for listening to the Congressional Report on this fine Thursday night. I’m your host, Rep. Smith. Tonight, we have a special guest. A representative from France, Socialist candidate for the District 5 Senate seat and a fine gentleman, Rep. Carton. Mr. Carton, thank you so much for joining us.

Rep. Carton: Thank you for having me, it’s a pleasure to be here!

Rep. Smith: The pleasure is ours! So let’s dive right in. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

Rep. Carton: Well, as most of the other contenders in D5, I’m a somewhat new member on the server, given that I celebrated my first month on VC just yesterday. I’ve been diving right into the congressional business from my arrival, though, endeavouring to learn the ropes and the current status of our politics to the best of my abilities. I’ve been a member of the Socialist Party since my arrival, albeit firmly identifying myself as a moderate social democrat. My legislative record to date is already something I think I can be proud of, having introduced five bills and a resolution, and having pased five of these through the House. Three of these bills have already become law, and I hope the fourth will be signed into law by the President soon.

My participation in House proceedings, and my attention to the evolution of our politics may be the reason why my fellow party members have entrusted me with the role of Deputy Whip, which I have enjoyed so far. It has allowed me to engage more directly with congresspersons across all parties, and that’s the kind of contact I’ve endeavoured to cultivate to make sure my contributions are always open to contributions by everyone.

Rep. Smith: Well firstly, congratulations on your 1 month anniversary and the bills you’ve gotten signed. Having mentioned your legislative record, what is your top issue that you’ll pursue and work on if you get elected to the Senate and why?

Rep. Carton: I have to be honest here: I don’t have a TOP issue. I’ve tried to keep my bills as eclectic as possible in the House, as there are so many issues that must be addressed, and I don’t believe you should be elected just to act on one. As a Senator, I would need to cast votes on just as many bills as any member of Congress, and I would get to introduce legislation on as many topics as I think need to be discussed. I don’t believe in single-issue politics, I believe in politics where you can forge yourself an opinion on every piece of legislation.

Of course, there are topics that come first to my mind, but they’re only part of what I would like to achieve. Strengthening our public education is one. Fighting Climate Change is another. Reforming our criminal justice system too, with its overly harsh sentences, and its blindness to many issues, in particular to the vicious cycle that perpetuates violence in minority communities. There’s also the issue of our personal rights, such as our right to the ownership of our personal data in the digital ages. All these need concrete legislation and deliberation, and I hope I get to introduce some in the Senate, the most deliberative body in the world.

Rep. Smith: These are all noble endeavors, and I appreciate the detailed response. Going into more of the political side of this race, how do you intend to appeal to the wide swaths of voters in District 5 as the nominee of what is seen as the furthest left party in the race?

Rep. Carton: First thing first, we should state the obvious: I’m the only candidate from any party on the left side of the political field, as no Democrat is running in this election. There are other candidates who are left-leaning people and are running as independents, but I doubt you would call me the most radical of them all.

I understand why people would vote or not vote for me based on the letters next to my name. But I personally have always voted based on what a candidate stands for, and how they want to achieve it. I’m a reformist, I’ve always been. I believe you achieve great things by meticulously tipping the scales, and changing the laws. You do it by finding what doesn’t work, and fixing it. Piece by piece. One law at a time.

I’m deeply convinced that when you take that kind of approach, people don’t see you for an ideologue, even though you have your own convictions, but see you for what you are: someone who sees injustices, shortcomings, waste, redundancies, all the small defects that make our society so hard to live in, and tries to fix them. With the guidance of my aspirations and my hopes, for sure, but not by force or without reflexion. Now, if that’s too radical a vision for D5 voters, they are free to pick a different candidate, I won’t mind. But I think it’s exactly what we need right now in politics.

Rep. Smith: Thank you for that answer. What do you bring to the table that sets you apart from the other candidates running to represent District 5 in the Senate?

Rep. Carton: My dedication. My record. The convictions and policies I just shared with you. Clarity, too: I announced as a Socialist Party candidate, and I haven’t changed my party affiliation since then. I will serve the people of D5, and only the people of D5. I wouldn’t be running for higher office as long as I serve as a Senator, and I certainly wouldn’t promise in my senatorial platform that Education is one of the biggest things I want to focus on during my presidential campaign.

I would bring my sense of respect, attention and compromise to the Senate, with a listening ear to my fellow Senators and to every D5 constituent. I already have an office I use for archive purposes, and where you can find a record of all the bills I introduced and all the votes I ever cast. If I’m elected, it will be open to anyone who wants to talk with me, share their opinion, ask me about my positions, and so much more.

Eventually, I think I would bring my political acumen, my ability to understand situations, and to get the best out of it for the people I would serve. The same political acumen that tells me we need diversity in the Senate, not a controlling Republican supermajority.

All the candidates in this race have qualities of their own, I’ve seen that in many of them in the time we served together in the House. I simply hope voters in D5 see my own qualities for what they are, and for what they need.

Rep. Smith: Thank you for that Mr. Carton. Just to close us out, is there anything else you’d like District 5’s voters to know about you before casting their ballots tomorrow? The floor is yours to talk about anything you’d like.

Rep. Carton: I think I’ve said my piece, mostly. But I’ll just add this: let’s not mess around. This one is too important for all of us to just sit it out and watch. Get the ballot, cast your vote, make your voice heard. And know that if you put your trust in me, you will have an ally in your Senator, who will endeavour to always listen, always speak his mind, and deliver.

Rep. Smith: Thank you for that answer, and thank you so much for taking the time at this late hour to speak with me about your candidacy, Rep. Carton.

Rep. Carton: You’re very welcome, thank you for offering the interview, for your questions, and listening to everything I had to say!

Rep. Smith: The pleasure is all mine, and good luck in your race tomorrow.

Rep. Carton: Thanks, I look forward to the results.

Rep. Smith: This has been the Congressional Report. I’m Rep. Smith signing off.