Focus

Former NRCA president Reid Ribble recently made two big decisions in his life: He announced his candidacy for Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District, as well as his departure from the roofing industry (he was president of The Ribble Group, Kaukauna, Wis.).

Ribble is challenging Steve Kagen, a two-term Democratic incumbent who Ribble says "claims he's right of center but governs on the far left."

Ribble decided to run for the House of Representatives after receiving encouragement from his family. Ribble says he frequently complained about big government, and his son finally told him: "Dad, you always said if we don't like the circumstances, we need to change the circumstances. When are you going to get in the game?"

Ribble particularly is concerned about the U.S.' health care crisis and the state of the economy.

"We have removed consumers from their responsiblility for their health care," he says. "And as far as the economy is concerned, the government is causing this contraction and lawmakers are wondering why the economy isn't functioning."

In addition, Ribble intends to support legislation that will benefit small businesses, such as roofing companies.

Ribble plans to govern with a right of center, libertarian bent. A self-described "states' rights guy," he counts among his contemporary political inspirations Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John Thune (R-S.D.).

Ribble says DeMint and Thune are committed to small government, which Ribble favors. Ribble also says he wants to truly represent his district and his constituents' values.

"The idea of representative government is a concept, not a reality," he says. "My responsibility is to stand up for what my constituents want unless it is against my own standard of morality."

For more information about Ribble's campaign, log on to www.ribbleforcongress.com.

Ambika Puniani Bailey is editor of Professional Roofing and NRCA's senior director of communications.