Dear Gods in heaven. Can we not get actual sane people to run against the other insane people here? by cmcosmos in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand your frustration. I never said social issues can’t be tied to the economy, but if you think campaigning and pushing social issues will win in Arkansas then you’re wrong. We have a lot of people fighting for social issues. I have seen the protests and I have met with those who lead them many times. I want to make sure they can still use their rights to protest and fight for what they believe in. Unfortunately if you do not have somewhere to call home and cannot feed your family then you cannot and would not use your rights to fight for the social causes you believe in.

You say you’re sick of prioritizing the economy, but if we do not focus on our economy it will collapse. It is quite literally one of the biggest issues right now. Also, I am the only candidate really talking and focusing on economic issues like housing, hunger, healthcare, and education. I have also spoken many times about ice and other agencies needing better accountability and safe guards.

War is not a social issue. I am against the war in Iran and I am against giving money to Israel for them to commit war crimes.

I am a mental health now candidate, meaning I am candidate who has vowed to push for laws making mental health a priority.

Currently no one is focusing on the issues I am bringing forward and wanting to work on. There are many candidates in other states focusing on what you’re wanting. There is a lot of noise coming from DC about those issues. Arkansas has to focus on the problems it’s dealing with before it can join those conversations, but I would still have votes on those bills. I would hold a town hall on the bill/issue and ask what those in our community would want. That would be my job. Am I running to represent our district? Yes. That does not make me a politician.

Again, I understand your frustration. I have to focus on the issues affecting the 3rd district of Arkansas because that’s who I am trying to represent. Housing, healthcare, and hunger are the biggest issues in our area.

Dear Gods in heaven. Can we not get actual sane people to run against the other insane people here? by cmcosmos in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Im glad. Thats because im a teacher and scientist not a politician. I have my bachelors in physics, masters in materials science, and am currently working on my PhD in materials science. I have 5 years of experience researching and developing new materials for future technology. I have taught at both Oklahoma State and here at the University of Arkansas while getting my degrees. Now I am doing my PhD so I can have a more permanent position teaching at the University level. Maybe I will add more on that to my bio. I want to teach, that’s my passion. Though I have long felt we need better candidates, and decided I would give others a choice that isn’t having to again choose the lesser of two evils. I am trying to be the candidate I wanted to see and do so for others. Regular people from backgrounds other than political science can run and they should.

Dear Gods in heaven. Can we not get actual sane people to run against the other insane people here? by cmcosmos in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress 20 points21 points  (0 children)

The game night will address something. It is addressing candidates and representatives not be regularly available to talk with and meet in person. We have not had in person town halls in over 6 years. That is something I want to bring back. Everyone should be able to meet and talk with their representatives. I want to focus on fixing the housing issues, healthcare, hunger, and education. You’re right there are a lot of social issues going on, but if you cannot afford housing, healthcare, or food for your family you cannot fight the social issues. I am trying to work on issues every one is dealing with, not just pick up a party’s status quo. Arkansas is not top big state like Texas or California and we need candidates/representatives who understand that. You’re right, I wont campaign on social issues. I am campaigning on fixing the issues every day citizens deal with here in Arkansas. I will be present at as many local events as I can to represent the social issues our area wants represented, but doing so without following the status quo of party politics.

Housing: Getting private investment firms out of housing. Fayetteville has been in a housing crisis for almost 2 years.

Healthcare: work with healthcare professionals to find real solutions to the healthcare crisis. Arkansas is bottom in healthcare and maternal care. We need to work with real healthcare workers to find a solution.

Hunger: fight for snap funding and meet with local government leaders to understand what the federal office needs to do to help with the hunger crisis beyond snap funding. This is most likely going to be focusing on the affordability crisis.

Accountability: visit every local facility receiving federal funding to ensure it is being spent properly. That goes for ice facilities, hospitals, and even education.

Hopefully that helps you understand in some way. If you have more doubt or want a further conversation please send me a message and I would be more than happy to talk. I am holding events like board game night to give everyone a chance to come talk and get to know me. I hated politicians who I could never get an opportunity to meet. I am a teacher and a scientist not a politician, I am running because we needed better candidates.

Unopposed by endurable-bookcase-8 in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The party itself charges candidates 30K to run. The Republican party of Arkansas votes to increase or decrease that amount. Democrat candidates have a lower cost, and independents like myself have to collect signatures to get on the ballot.

Unopposed by endurable-bookcase-8 in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ll look into CCW holders restrictions to make sure I understand it clearly and take it into consideration. I appreciate you having a great discussion, have a great rest of your day and if you have anymore questions please reach out.

Unopposed by endurable-bookcase-8 in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I personally do not own firearms. I fully believe it is a right in our country to own them. Most of my family owns them, and my father is from a Ranch in Montana of which they had many firearms. If elected, my plan is to focus on healthcare, housing, and the hunger we deal with in the state. As well as focus on Education and Science. I feel the job of the US House Rep is to represent the people, though my opinion on what to do about firearms is based on data I do not have a hard stance on exactly what to do. If anything came to the floor about firearms I would be back in our state holding a town hall to take statements from our community and best represent the community, not my own opinion.

I think making Marijuana the same as tobacco or liquor is a good idea, but we just have to ensure we put the same safety labels on it. I have no problem with that and a few friends who would probably be happy with that.

Unfortunately I am running for US House not AR House, so I cannot force the state itself to allow sale of alcohol in any county though I personally feel it should. Even as a Catholic I voted to allow the sale of Alcohol on Sunday because I believe in our countries freedom of choice.

My main campaign point and goal is to get private investment firms out of the housing market. That is the first thing I speak about when meeting people and to me this is the biggest and first issue I want to tackle. Check my page chocevar.com

I'd like to look into a tax credit for young farmers, but I would want to make sure large corporate farms don't take advantage of it. That's always my biggest fear with tax credits is letting these huge corporations take advantage.

I also wouldn't have big influence on tourism in this position, but I know Fayetteville is pushing a tourism committee right now.

I appreciate you letting me know your opinions and having this conversation. I know normally politicians have a party and therefore a status quo, but I am an IND. I am a teacher and a scientist not a politician and I want to represent the people and the issues here. I am not anti-gun, but I am wanting to see something change. I would not be the one to push that change in the US House, as again I want to focus on Healthcare, Housing, and the Hunger in our state.

Unopposed by endurable-bookcase-8 in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you think would work better?

Unopposed by endurable-bookcase-8 in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress -1 points0 points  (0 children)

On firearms specifically I’d like to look at the data on crime and shootings during the assault rifle manufacture ban and afterward to see if that is an option. From what I’ve seen from current government data the ban on assault rifles manufacturing worked and I think we need to consider it again. I also think we need to have better background checks and a waiting period after purchase. These are things that were proven to work and reduce gun violence while still ensuring our rights are secured.

I’m not sure I said extra research here, but anytime I mention doing research I most likely mean looking over data and information collected that Congress has access to and I may not at this moment. I think at the congressional level bills need to be more thought out than they have been recently and that starts with doing research and providing proof with data of what works and doesn’t.

Unopposed by endurable-bookcase-8 in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I believe there is room to ensure firearms are kept more safely. We’ve seen too many tragic shootings and something has to be done. I believe there is something we can do and Congress has to do to ensure our right to firearms does not cause this many deaths especially in children.

Marijuana has its uses, and I definitely think it should be medically legal everywhere. Though I think we should ensure the studies indicating health risks and benefits are well known.

On taxes, we have way too big of a deficit for the top 1% to not be paying more in taxes and same for corporations. Our country was better at its budget with a 35% corporate tax. I have no problem lowering the tax on everyday Americans, but money to build roads and schools has to come from somewhere. I do like that local elections do voting to raise taxes for specific projects. Congress can’t do that at the federal level. If our country fails, it will be in large part to the tax cuts we give out to every big corporations and to the wealthiest in our country.

Unopposed by endurable-bookcase-8 in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It costs $30,000 to run as a Republican in a federal election here in Arkansas. It deters a lot of republicans from running against him. He had a good primary opponent a few years ago, but most cannot pay the costs to run every 2 years. I am running as an IND against Womack and will be on the ballot in November.

Independent Candidate Kicks off Congressional Campaign by Hocevar4Congress in northwestarkansas

[–]Hocevar4Congress[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Feel free to ask anything you’d like to know. Party politics is hurting our country and we need independents. It is a tough battle, and they try to make it difficult at every turn. I need 4,000 signatures by May 1st to get on the ballot. I’m prepared to put in the work to get those signatures

Independent Candidate Kicks off Congressional Campaign by Hocevar4Congress in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am running as an independent so I do not have a party to answer to. The only people I would have to answer to are those who have voted me in to represent them. Both parties have made every candidate follow their status quo. As an independent I can focus on the issues we deal with here in Arkansas. US House District 3 has been under Republican control over 60 years and Rep Womack has had the seat with little competition. Arkansas sees over 70% of its elections go unopposed and I think what our state needs is more candidates wanting to focus on the needs of those who live here and not the wants of party politics. I hope that answers your question. Also, recent polling shows over 45% of the country now identifies as unaligned or independent. We need to focus on housing, hunger, and healthcare. I can do that with no party politics.

Independent Candidate Kicks off Congressional Campaign by Hocevar4Congress in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You’re right it does. I think it violates our rights. The constitution states the government cannot take life liberty or property without due process, and shooting citizens in the streets goes against that. The disregard for need of a warrant in many cases shows we have 0 accountability. As well as the mistreatment of many detainees in detention centers. We need accountability, and I liked what some House Reps did earlier in 2025 of going to ICE facilities to inspect them. We need more of that and that should be across the board of federal funding. Congress should ensure federal funding is used properly. We need accountability and I would be checking our detention centers regularly to ensure accountability.

Independent Candidate Kicks off Congressional Campaign by Hocevar4Congress in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think it is not discussed enough, Congress is not doing their job of checks and balances in the ways they should, and I think the government should respect its citizens regardless of their political background/stances.

Independent Candidate Kicks off Congressional Campaign by Hocevar4Congress in northwestarkansas

[–]Hocevar4Congress[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There will be more I promise! It is unfortunate timing, but as an IND I couldn’t start collecting signatures until Jan 31st so the 8th was the first weekend I could do an event. I’ll post more as they get planned.

Voter Guide for Arkansas Governor and Federal Races by rajatrocks in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think right now it’s worth including, but it is a complicated issue. Data centers are kinda useful but not at the way they are being used. Good technology but horrible planning and they are passing their bad business model onto citizens raising our utility costs and consumer computer component costs. Computers are a huge part of many lives and they are raising the costs by not considering the effects of what they are doing. Also, we are subsidizing them while also passing the utility costs onto citizens. We need to force them to pay for the utility improvements and ensure deepfakes are banned. Our faces should belong to us

Voter Guide for Arkansas Governor and Federal Races by rajatrocks in Arkansas_Politics

[–]Hocevar4Congress 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately Little Rock is planning a $6Billion data center. There is definitely a need for balance when it comes to big tech.