🚫 Not fit for public office. Fewer than three stars, and a critical Article fails (Open Books & Free & Fair Elections). This isn’t a close call. Expect to hear from us — often.
Editorial opinion — our judgment against the Seven Articles, not a legal disqualification or an allegation of any crime. Ratings terms · Challenge this review
1Open Bookscritical
2%☆ not yet
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
57.2% of receipts from PACs — over the 15% cap; fails the money floor. (FEC 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
35%☆ not yet
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
Voted to overturn the 2020 election (Jan 6, 2021 certification objection). Fails Free & Fair Elections.
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
55%☆ not yet
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Culture-war framing is combative but the record shows no signature pattern of dehumanizing whole classes of opponents.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
48%☆ not yet
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Campaigns lean on grievance and cultural-threat themes, with a thinner affirmative policy agenda in the public record.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
40%☆ not yet
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
Ran as staunchly anti-abortion while court records showed he urged his ex-wife and a mistress to have abortions.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
40%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Consistently votes with his party; no documented pattern of costly independence from Republican leadership.
60
7Morality
30%☆ not yet
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Tennessee medical board fined him $500 in 2013 for affairs with patients whom he also prescribed medication; documented conduct.
60
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →