Karen Hartley-Nagle

Karen Hartley-Nagle is the Democratic candidate in the 2008 congressional elections for the At-Large Congressional District (map) of Delaware. She is the Democratic nominee who will challenge incumbent Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.). She won in primary elections which took place on September 9, 2008.

Positions, record and controversies
Open and Accountable Government Keeping Congress Honest The American public has grown tired of the Republican culture of corruption that is running rampant throughout Washington and as a result has grown weary of the political process as a whole. In Congress, Karen Hartley-Nagle will work to restore faith in the hearts and minds of Delaware and our country, by putting an end to the scandals, cronyism, mismanagement, and out of control spending that is plaguing Washington. The good people of Delaware deserve leadership they can trust and be proud to call their own.

In order to be truly committed to real ethics reform and meaningful campaign finance reform, we must take the necessary steps to reverse the ethical failures of Congress and restore the public trust. It is essential that we clean up the way Congress does business by putting an end to the unethical practices of lawmakers and lobbyists, and establish clear standards that prevent the trading of official governmental business for gifts.

The key to fundamental reform is ethics training, disclosure and accountability. Karen Hartley-Nagle understands that Congress is elected to represent the people, not the powerful. The American people need leaders who represent their voices rather than simply being a "rubber-stamp" for the administration. She will stand up for real reform and fight against the "business as usual" mentality of corruption to restore honesty and openness on Capitol Hill.

National Security and the Iraq War Keeping Families Safe. Remembering Our Heroes. In order to have a strong national defense we must be both tough and smart. We also must recognize that homeland security begins with hometown security. Real security doesn't rely solely on military strength but also strong diplomatic alliances and intelligent foreign policy. We need a comprehensive plan that will win the war on terror, protect our homeland security, and end the war in Iraq as soon as possible while honoring the sacrifices made by our troops and their families.

America's men and women in uniform bravely serve and protect our country, while asking nothing in return. Karen Hartley-Nagle recognizes this service and believes we have a duty to take care of those who protect our freedoms while away and when they return home. She will be a tireless advocate for our servicemen and women currently serving and working at Dover Air Force Base and will ensure our military facilities are fully funded and maintained. Taking care of our military families strengthens our community, making for a better Delaware and a better America.

We've made progress since 9/11, but there is still much work to be done to keep Americans safe. In Congress, Karen Hartley-Nagle will work to close the remaining gaps in our national security by working across party lines to fully enact the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Our government has a responsibility to protect the ports, infrastructure facilities and chemical plants across our country - some of which are located right here in Delaware. In Congress, Karen Hartley-Nagle will work to ensure that states like Delaware receive the resources and protection they need, including funding for our first responders and programs that keep our communities safe.

Environment and Energy Keeping Delaware Clean and Green Taking the necessary steps in pursuit of alternative energy solutions, such as wind energy, that create energy independence not only allows America to reduce our dependency on foreign oil but also protects both our environment and economy by creating new jobs for American workers and decreasing the financial burden on Delaware families.

Renewable energy sources – like wind farms and solar energy – are more efficient than traditional energy sources and Karen Hartley-Nagle understands that we need to embrace the use of these types of energy. By implementing use of alternative energy sources, such as harnessing the energy of the wind, through out our state and country we can reduce our dependency on oil and ensure that our environment and natural resources are protected for future generations.

Karen Hartley-Nagle believes it is our responsibility to protect our natural resources, including our estuaries, oceans, forests and other extraordinary treasures. In Congress, she will work with the rest of Delaware's delegation to promote legislation strengthening the laws that ensure we have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink.

The health of our families and our economy depend on our environment. In Delaware, a strong and healthy environment grows a strong and healthy economy. Many of our industries such as farming, fishing, and tourism depend on a healthy environment for success. New technology that protects our environment and allows it to flourish also creates a stronger economy with more higher-wage jobs for Delaware.

A well thought out, common-sense approach to America's environmental and energy policy will start us on the path to a stronger economy, a cleaner future and healthier communities.

Affordable and Quality Health Care Keeping Families Healthy We need a health care system that makes sense and puts the wellbeing of patients first by putting them in control. In the wealthiest, most powerful nation on earth, no one should have to make the choice between protecting their health, taking their child to a doctor, paying the rent, and putting food on the table. This is simply unacceptable. It is a moral outrage that 50 million Americans lack health insurance and many more are underinsured. Quality health care coverage should be available, reliable and affordable for everyone.

The burden of skyrocketing health care costs affects us in many ways. Many businesses, especially small businesses, are increasingly unable to pay the high health care premiums. They are forced to put more of the burden of health insurance onto the backs of their employees, increase the costs of their products, or outsource jobs to other countries. Providing tax credits for self-employed business owners and small businesses will allow them to stay competitive by reducing costs, easing the financial burden of health care for both employer and employees.

In Congress, Karen Hartley-Nagle will work to ensure that all Americans have access to the affordable, quality health care they deserve. She will work to lower the cost of prescription drugs, invest in medical research that offers real hope for cures and treatment for millions of Americans, and ensure that our seniors have access to simple and secure health care by fixing Medicare prescription drug benefits.

A Champion for Women and Advocate for our Families Keeping Equality a Priority As a Mother, political activist and head of a national non-profit organization, Karen has dedicated much of her life as a volunteer, child advocate and leader in the fight for issues important to women and families.

We've made great strides over the years to expand and protect Women's rights and equality. However, from the glass ceiling to the sticky floor of poverty there are still many issues that must still be address in order to ensure the equality and opportunity that all women deserve. We must strengthen equal pay laws, improve financial security in retirement, increase support for women-owned businesses and stand firm on a woman's health and her right to make the most personal of life decisions.

American women earn only 77 cents for every dollar men earn -- and women of color earn even less. Despite legislation such as the Equal Pay Act passed more than 40 years ago, along with numerous others prohibiting employment discrimination, these economic disparities still exist. Karen will work to end pay disparities between men and women, strengthen the penalties associated with wage discrimination and increase support and access to capital for women-owned businesses.

Gender disparities also exist in the current Social Security system which unfairly penalizes women, who generally receive lower benefits than men. Karen will work in Congress to see that women are treated more equitably in retirement and will vigorously fight any effort to privatize Social Security and Medicare.

Women's health decisions are best left to women and their doctors -- without interference from politicians. We should do everything possible to protect a woman's right to choose and work to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies in Delaware and the U.S., through efforts such as increased availability of Plan B and access to family planning services. Each woman deserves the right to make the most personal of life decisions and Karen will stand firm as an advocate for a woman's right to choose.

The problem of domestic violence and sexual abuse still does not get the attention it needs and is a continuing problem. In Congress, Karen will work to reform our court systems and raise awareness of this critical issue that is plaguing our communities. She will support legislation such as the reauthorization of The Violence Against Women Act, work to increase prevention strategies and broaden assistance offered to children and teenagers who are victims of violence and abuse. Karen has dedicated much of her life as a volunteer, child advocate and leader in the fight to end domestic violence and sexual abuse and improve awareness in our communities and action in our court systems.

Economic Prosperity and Jobs Keeping Communities Strong Congress has a responsibility to be as careful with taxpayer money as any of us would be with our own. Because of runaway spending and fiscal irresponsibility, America is now facing the largest deficit in our nation's history. By setting clear priorities and adhering to strict fiscal discipline, we can achieve a balanced budget and pay down the national debt so we can meet our current obligations and limit the burden placed on future generations.

In Congress, Karen Hartley-Nagle will work to ensure that your hard-earned tax money is not wasted away, but rather put to work for you. She'll stand up for Delaware families by fighting for better wages and job security, putting an end to tax giveaways to the rich and companies who move good jobs overseas.

We must always be looking for ways to build and strengthen our economy. It is essential that we upgrade and modernize our infrastructure, outdated water systems and railways in Delaware. Karen Hartley-Nagle will make it a top priority to put Delaware at the forefront of technological innovation in order to keep us competitive in today's global economy. By encouraging small business, innovation and productivity that promotes long-term economic growth we create better, higher-paying jobs for Delaware workers.

-- Protection of Our Children Keeping Our Children Safe and Secure. We need leadership that will fight for our children. From lobbying for legislation, such as Jessica's Law, that protects our children and strengthens punishment for sex offenders to working to create the PROTECT Our Children Act to her work as the Executive Director of a national non-profit organization, Karen has continuously backed legislation that promotes children's rights, strengthens sex-offender laws, and calls for more protections from abusive parents in family court.

As a mother whose family survived domestic violence and abuse, Karen's life journey has given her the first-hand understanding and compassion for children and families who faced the same struggles. Learning from her personal experience as a mother protecting her children and overcoming the barriers of the family court system, Karen is an advocate for children's rights by speaking out to decrease abuse, neglect and family violence in Delaware and across the nation.

Her mission to fight child predation led to her strong push for legislation, such as Jessica's Law, that protects our children and strengthens punishment for sex offenders. A tireless advocate for the underrepresented, Karen has dedicated much of her life to providing a voice and assistance for women and children in abusive homes.

Serving as the Executive Director of The Nagle Foundation, a national non-profit organization with offices in Wilmington and Dover, Karen has continuously backed legislation that promotes children's rights, strengthens sex-offender laws, and calls for more protections from abusive parents in family court. A constant presence in the halls of government and court systems, Karen has worked for more awareness, accountability and funding for services and shelters for children victimized by violence and sexual abuse.

Karen's dedication as a child advocate and leader in the fight to end domestic violence and sexual abuse has increased awareness in our communities, and provoked action in our government and court systems. In congress, Karen will continue her efforts by supporting legislation that fights abuse, toughens laws and offender penalties, and promotes prevention strategies to stop abuse before it starts.

Increased Educational Opportunity Keeping Our Kids a Top Priority Our children are our most precious resource and we must ensure they have a safe environment in which they can learn and grow to their full potential. By providing every child with a strong foundation of education, we can expand the opportunities available to them for years to come.

The proud mother of four children currently in Delaware public schools, Karen Hartley-Nagle is committed to ensuring that our schools are the best they can possibly be. Our children and their education must be at the top of our priority list in Washington, with support for initiatives that improve the effectiveness of our schools without placing excessive and undue burdens on students and educators with unfunded mandates.

As a Member of Congress, Karen Hartley-Nagle will work so that all our children have access to a lifetime of learning. We must support programs for early childhood development and provide our children the knowledge and skills they need to build the strong foundation necessary to succeed and compete in today's demanding workforce. College should be within every child's reach and can be by making college tuition tax deductible, expanding Pell Grants, and cutting interest rates on student loans.

- Effective Immigration Reform Keeping America Strong Finding a comprehensive solution to immigration reform in America is critical to the security, strength and well being of our Country, our states and our communities. In Congress, Karen Hartley-Nagle will work towards a practical solution of comprehensive immigration reform. Building a consensus on effective immigration reform will be difficult, but by working across party lines we can craft legislation that not only makes steps in the right direction, but makes great strides for the future of our country.

We need comprehensive immigration reform that is tough, fair and practical. Securing our borders and strengthening border enforcement is a necessity. Better control of our borders can be accomplished by using advanced technologies, expanding the number of trained border control agents and taking advantage of sophisticated new tools that bolster security officials' abilities to enforce U.S. immigration laws and reduce illegal immigration.

Securing our borders is only the start. We must discourage employment of illegal immigrants by increasing penalties for employers who hire illegals and enforcing current employer sanctions. In addition, we must create solutions that are fair to American workers, those who pay their fair share of taxes and immigrant families who play by the rules to acquire legal citizenship.

We must develop a fair and practical system that addresses the status of the 12 million illegals currently in the United States, but does not grant amnesty and puts them on a proper path to full, legal citizenship. By instituting a comprehensive plan that is tough, fair and practical, we can create real immigration reform, secure our borders, and strengthen our country without trampling on the liberties, freedoms and rights of U.S. citizens.

Source: http://hartley-nagle.com

Bio
Hartley-Nagle serves as the Executive Director of The Nagle Foundation.

2008 elections
Hartley-Nagle is the Democratic nominee who will challenge Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) in the 2008 congressional elections. She won in primary elections which took place on September 9, 2008.

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Campaign contributions
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Committees
Hartley-Nagle will be assigned committees if and when she is elected to Congress.

Contact
email facility available through the hartley-nagle.com website.

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Delaware's At-large Congressional District
 * Hartley-Nagle's official campaign website
 * "Democrats see Castle as target in 2008" The News Journal, September 4, 2007.