LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Bobby Kahn, a candidate for Nevada’s 1st Congressional District running with no political party affiliation, discussed his campaign platform in an interview, including veterans benefits, tax policy, housing and water issues.
Kahn said he decided to run independently after growing frustrated with both political parties in the state.
“Both parties here in our state are run by a bunch of idiots, so I decided I’m going to go and do it on my own,” Kahn said. “They didn’t want to give me a seat at the table, so I built my own table.”
Kahn described himself as a businessman who said he has fought the federal government in the past.
“I’m a guy that’s been around the block, but I’m a businessman that just got tired of the system after fighting the government a couple times and seeing all the struggles that Americans are facing,” Kahn said.
Kahn said his social media following has grown, citing analytics showing 87 million views in a month on Instagram.
On veterans benefits
Kahn’s platform includes a proposal to eliminate federal income tax on veterans’ income. He said veterans should receive full health care benefits immediately after leaving the military.
“There’s no reason that somebody that served in the military should be sleeping on the streets,” Kahn said. “You should be able to leave the military and get full benefits the day you leave.”
Kahn said an average of 22 veterans a day die by suicide, and he said that number could rise to 38 a day, citing the most recent war. He said he supports eliminating federal income tax for veterans regardless of their income level.
Kahn said his father-in-law, a Purple Heart recipient, waited 27 months to receive a hearing aid through the VA. Kahn said veterans he has spoken with described long wait times and denied benefits. He proposed breaking up the VA and transferring its services to a private company while continuing to fund veterans’ health care.
On tax policy
Kahn’s platform also calls for eliminating federal taxes on retirement income and gambling winnings. He said seniors are struggling with the cost of medication and deductibles under Medicare and Medicaid.
“No matter how much money we give the government, they’re going to find a way to always be broke,” Kahn said. “We need to tighten our belts.”
On gambling winnings, Kahn said Nevada takes in $17 billion a year in gambling-related tax revenue. He said eliminating taxes on jackpot winnings would encourage people to spend more at casinos, restaurants and other businesses.
“If we don’t do something now, Vegas will end up becoming Atlantic City,” Kahn said.
Kahn said he believes the federal government can reduce spending to offset lost tax revenue by cutting funding for programs he described as outdated or unused.
On housing and inflation
Kahn said 80% of land in Nevada is controlled by the federal government, and he called for that land to be returned to the state at below-market prices to be used for affordable housing.
“We need homes that are $250,000,” Kahn said. “The person that’s making 60 grand a year can’t go buy a million-dollar home in Summerlin.”
Kahn also called for reducing regulations and simplifying the permitting process for construction, saying that contributes to rising costs and inflation.
On water policy
Asked about the possibility of Lake Mead reaching “deadpool” status, in which water would no longer flow over Hoover Dam, Kahn said Nevada should stop sharing its water allocation with California.
“That deal was made in 1930, wherever it was made. It’s old. This is our water. Don’t touch it,” Kahn said.
Kahn said he supports building desalination plants and pipelines to help other states secure their own water supplies rather than drawing from Nevada’s allocation.
On his candidacy
Kahn said he supports term limits and would serve no more than two terms if elected.
“I have no intention of doing this more than four years. I’m done after that,” Kahn said.
Kahn said he is not accepting campaign donations or endorsements.
“I’m not taking money. I did one fundraiser. I felt so dirty. I never did another fundraiser after that again,” Kahn said.
Asked why people should vote for him, Kahn said he would not withhold his opinions from voters.
“I’m actually going to go out there and be the voice for the people,” Kahn said. “I’m the only one that’s going out there and fighting for things that everyday people need, from the business owner to the guy that’s walking out of prison, to the single mother.”
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