For the first time, Don Miller is stepping from behind the scenes to center stage in politics.
“I never had any intention of running for public office, but that changed when I had a family, started working, and raising kids,” said Miller, a businessman from Clay, Then he realized, he said, that state government is “the biggest obstacle to the well-being of my family and I needed to do something.”
Miller, 44, is the Republican candidate for the 121st Assembly District. Miller is challenging incumbent Al Stirpe, D-North Syracuse, who has held the seat since 2006. The 121st Assembly District includes the towns of Cicero, Clay, Manlius, LaFayette, and Pompey. Election Day is Nov. 2.
The Republicans have the advantage in voter enrollment. For the Republicans, 32,696 voters are enrolled compared to 28, 946 Democrats, according to the New York State Board of Elections.
In his campaign for the 121st Assembly District seat, Miller calls for a cap on property taxes, term limits on elected officials and an end to the estate tax on inheritances. Supporters stress his commitment to limiting government as capturing the right policies and philosophies to reinvigorate Central New York.
Miller is a native of Liverpool. He graduated of Liverpool High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a master of arts degree in teaching and education administration from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He and his wife Tracy have two young daughters: Evangeline, 4; Charity, 2.
In politics, Miller has worked on campaigns for a diverse group of Republican politicians. On his resume he lists: volunteer for Ronald Reagan’s 1984 presidential campaign; staff member in 1990 for Jack Kemp, a secretary of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Affairs and Republican vice presidential candidate; manager for New York Giants football player Phil McConkey’s Congressional campaign in 1990; and campaign manager for the 1993 campaign of the late Bernie Kraft, legislator from Onondaga County’s 2nd District. His resume also describes him as an “unofficial advisor” to leaders of the Communist Party of China from 1998 -2005.
After pursuing careers outside of Central New York, Miller returned to Liverpool in 2006. He became the quality manager at Jadack Technologies, an engineering firm in North Syracuse that provides communication technologies for the healthcare industry.
He was struck, he recalls, to find that many of his friends from childhood had left the area. “The houses were the same, the streets were the same, but the families weren’t the same. Most of the kids I grew up with couldn’t find jobs and moved out. They said they would come back and never did,” said Miller.
People close to Miller describe him as tireless, passionate and intelligent. Those qualities coupled with his economic policies will help New York get back on its feet, say his supporters.
Kevin Holmquist, R-East Syracuse, of the Onondaga County Legislature’s 10th District, has been friends with Miller since their college years when both were members of the New York State Association of College Republicans. “Don loves America, cares about the country, studies the issues carefully and is an independent thinker. He is an advocate for limited government and will help provide much needed balance in New York,” says Holmquist.
Jim Corl Sr., Republican Committee chairman of Cicero, agrees. “He understands the political systems at work. He has abundant experience in a political arena,” said Corl.
In his call for property tax cap, Miller argues that the cap would create predictability and certainty because residents will know the cost of their property taxes for the next 5 to 10 years.
On term limits for elected officials, Miller also wants to extend the legislator’s term to four years, instead of the current two-year term. But a legislator could only serve a maximum of two terms for a total of eight years in office, he said.
“This will get rid of permanent politicians, special interest money, and structure that corrupts people when they get to Albany,” says Miller.
On the estate tax, Miller maintains government has no right to tax the estate of someone who dies and leaves an inheritance. “Families work hard to save for education, healthcare, retirement, and something to pass down to their kids so they have better life,” he said. “Government has no business inserting itself into that process.”
(Hilary Levin is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism.)
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