By HANK HAYES

ROGERSVILLE Knoxville physician Josh Gapp is trying to stand out in a crowded 1st Congressional District Republican field that stands with President Trump and is pro-life.

We have a lot of great candidates and they are running on conservative principles, Gapp said during a stop at Hawkins County Republican headquarters.

I think Im probably further to the right. Theres a couple of key areas that matter to the people. One is this culture war thats been thrown at our feet. It stems from political correctness. That was the aha that got me out from underneath my microscope. The fabric of our country is being torn apart by political correctness. I am standing up to it. The other thing I think is important is Im an outsider. Ive never run for political office before. This is a project of passion for me.

Gapp addressed these questions:

If elected, what is your plan for the district?

Theres a couple key issues that we need to face. The key issues right now are this political correctness run amok. We cant have Black Lives Matter coming in and disrupting our communities. This COVID crisis, weve got to figure out a way to get the economy back up safe and secure for everybody. We cant afford as a country to have everything shut down. We need to get back open. President Trump was doing a wonderful job with the economy prior to this COVID. Weve got to get back to that.

How is the COVID crisis going to affect the Republican primary?

COVID is making it difficult to meet people in person. Weve done a lot of digital things. Weve done a lot of virtual events to make up for it. Were trying to talk to as many people as we can. I think theres enough motivation now that the vote wont be suppressed. I think its going to be a high turnout and people will go to the polls regardless of COVID.

Do you favor a second economic stimulus?

This is a tough one. It depends on what happens in the next couple of months.

If we shut down the economy again, then we absolutely need to do that. If we can keep the economy from fully shutting down, I think theres enough pent-up demand in the economy that we can let people get back to work and places open back up. The economy isnt shut down because of market forces. Its this exterior thing that is going on with COVID. The economy wants to jump. It wants to run.

Early voting has begun in the August GOP primary.

A Democrat hasnt been elected to the 1st Congressional District seat since the 19th century.

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Gapp tries to stand out in crowded GOP field - Kingsport Times News