Joe Chow, long-time Dallas-Fort Worth resident and former mayor of Addison, is running for U.S. Congress. Chow is the man with a vision for real change. He brings to the 6th District the promise of smaller government, fiscal responsibility, a balanced budget, lower taxes and term limits. What Joe promises, he delivers. His life’s work provides the proof.
Thirty two years ago, Joe came to America on a student visa. Having graduated with honors from Chung Hsing National University in Taiwan, Chow pursued his graduate studies in business and finance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. In December 1980, Joe graduated with his Masters in Business Administration.
After obtaining his MBA, Joe filed for a practical training visa and began to work as a waiter at a local restaurant. Applying strong self discipline, Joe saved half of every paycheck. After one year of working as a waiter, Joe was promoted to manager and general manager soon after. Another two years and he had the capital and experience to open his own restaurant. In 1986, Joe opened the May Dragon. A hands-on businessman, Joe became an accomplished chef as well. His creativity was revealed when he invented both the sesame chicken and the lettuce wrap. Twenty
five years later, the May Dragon continues to earn multiple accolades for being the best four star Chinese restaurant in Dallas.
While successfully running a newly opened restaurant, Joe continued to pursue citizenship by filing all the necessary legal documents. His perseverance paid off. In 1987, Joe celebrated as he became a citizen of the United States.
Joe’s entrepreneurial spirit drove him to accomplish more. “I never felt being a restaurant owner was enough for me,” Chow shared. With his background in business and finance, Joe ventured into additional venues. He has owned an insurance agency and holds a real estate license.
Joe’s strong work ethic and insatiable drive for excellence have established patterns for success that he’s applied in public service. “I feel like I have a broader knowledge as [a] restaurant owner, insurance agent and realtor.” Chow thought, “If I run for city council, I can give back my knowledge and expertise to the people of the city. So I decided to run for city council.”
Challenging 3 incumbents, Joe knew it would be an uphill battle. His strategy? Campaign harder than his opponents. “I knocked on every door once, twice, three times. And I wore out two pairs of shoes,” Chow reported. “But I heard all the issues and concerns….” His hard work paid
off. Joe Chow was elected to the Addison City Council in May 2002.
After spending three years on the city council, Mr. Chow decided to run for mayor. “I campaigned a lot harder; I’m a hard-working guy. I knocked on every door four to five times this time. I wore out three pairs of shoes…I believe [if you] work harder…listen to the people, care about people…you get elected.” His campaign strategy impacted voter turnout. “Before I ran for city council, only 286 people voted. At the time of my last term as mayor, 1700 people…vote[d].” Again, Mr. Chow’s hard work paid off. In 2005, he won the election, becoming the first Asian-American Mayor in North Texas. Under Joe’s mayoral leadership, Addison’s tax rate became one of the lowest in Texas. He cut property tax rates the second and third year in office, and during his first term, Addison received its first-ever AAA bond rating. Only 5 out of 1,215 cities in Texas have achieved this rating. When the recession hit, Mayor Chow had Addison well prepared with $11 million, an astounding 40%, in reserve funds. Mr. Chow further strengthened the city of Addison by bringing in an elementary school, a hospital and the impressive redevelopment project, Vitruvian Park.
Upon completion of his mayoral term, Mr. Chow felt compelled to run for U.S. Congress. “I decided to run for U.S. Congress because our country is in crisis.” His main focus in congress will be on smaller government, lower tax rates, fiscal responsibility, constitutional rights and term limits.
SMALLER, MORE EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT
One of Mr. Chow’s greatest concerns is the disproportional size of the federal government. “Our major problem is big government. So we have to take out all the earmarks. We have to review it, sunset most of the programs-at least half-and then scale back what’s left. Even President Ronald Reagan said, ‘Government is not the solution to our problems. Government is the problem.’ When you have big government, you have more bureaucracy.” Chow believes reducing the size of the federal government will have a direct impact on governmental spending.
TAXES/ECONOMY
Joe Chow shared, “I want to lower tax rates.” When Mr. Chow was mayor, he lowered the tax rates, twice! By reducing tax rates,
individuals have more discretionary money to spend. With increased consumer spending, companies produce more products and services, having to hire more employees. The greater number of people working increases the number of tax payers, who then contribute back to the economy through their tax dollars. Chow says, “It’s a good cycle that will bring back the economy.”
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
“I’ve never heard of any responsible individual who would spend more than they…earn, but our federal government is spending more money
than they…receive. I remember when I was just starting to work; I saved about 50 percent of what I earned.” Mr. Chow applied wise financial principles, benefiting those he served. “When I was mayor, I lowered the tax rates but kept 40 percent for rainy-day funds.” Joe, like so many Americans, is deeply concerned about the increasing national debt. “If you look at the new proposal from President Obama for this year’s budget, he proposed $3.8 trillion [in] spending and $2.9 trillion [from] revenue. I believe this spending is an underestimated number, and the revenue is an overestimated number.” Chow is convinced that America is a great nation, in part because “we ensure everyone has [an] equal opportunity.” But he’s quick to point out that “success is determined by how hard you work.” Mr. Chow has achieved great success, both in business and the public office, by following and applying prudent financial principles. He stated, “I need to take the same financial discipline to Washington.” With his proven track record, Joe Chow is just the man Congress needs to bring about positive and lasting changes.
NATIONAL DEFENSE
When asked about our national defense, this is what Mr. Chow had to say. “We…want to have a strong military to ensure our national security.” Chow knows the heavy financial investment America has made in this war. Additionally, he is keenly aware of the sacrifices our troops have made. “We need to bring back our troops, however, not right now…. We want to make sure we…win the battle, then we come back.” Mr. Chow understands responsibility. He believes it would be financially and morally irresponsible to have paid such a huge price, only to withdraw prematurely. “We want to make sure…Afghanistan can stand up and govern themselves before we pull out.” Chow further concludes, “We fight to the end, to victory!”
CONSTITUTION
Mr. Chow is concerned with what he believes is an excessive use of executive power being wielded in the Oval Office. “President Obama, in the past three years, has issued more than 1,000 executive orders. The definition for executive powers is the president (and his cabinet members) has the right to execute whatever laws [are] passed and approved by the Congress.” Chow is troubled by what seems to be Mr. Obama’s approach to governing. “I feel…whatever the president wants to do, he will issue an executive order and bypass…Congress… I think we need a constitutional
amendment to clarify that. We also need…amendment[s] on term limits and balanced budget. I understand it will be difficult to do.” Chow understands it may take years to accomplish, but “if you don’t start, it will never happen.”
Regarding term limits, Joe is adamant. “I want term limits. I have no fear of voting for what I believe in since I don’t work for the interest groups. I will stand up and fight for your best interests.”
Joe Chow’s confidence and conviction were evident as the interview came to a close. “I’m the best-fit, best-qualified [candidate] with the most varied business and public service experience. I am the person to represent you in Congress.”
For more information
about Joe Chow and his campaign, visit his website: www.chowforcongress.com
Remember to vote
in the primary on May 29.
To register to vote and find
your voting precinct, visit www.canivote.org.
Come meet Joe
A town hall meeting, just for you!
When: Wednesday, May 9, 6-8pm
Where: The Ranch Coffeehouse
100 N. College (in Waxahachie)
Join Joe for pizza and conversation.
He wants to hear your ideas, issues and concerns.
