[RANA] Interview: LSFD Junior Journalist Edgars Gudlevskis kicks off campaign for state office

[Al-Malikah]

 

THE RANA REPORT

Your source for the latest Los Santos news, investigative journalism, and city-wide updates.

 

 

INTERVIEW: LSFD Junior Journalist Edgars Gudlevskis kicks off campaign for state office

BY RANA KHATI

 

 

Edgar Gudlevskis (R) 

 

The airwaves have no shortage of offers, deals, and sparkling advertisements, but Edgars Gudlevskis is the only candidate for an as-yet-undetermined State office who has begun to sell his campaign in the early month of January. With six months until the elections, Los Santans will undoubtedly see a chorus line of candidates dance before them in the months to come and the Rana Report will endeavor to interview each and every one of them with the thoroughness you might expect from a job interview- after all, they are vying for the most important job in representing the public interest.

 

We sat with Mr. Gudlevskis in at The Rotten Apple bar in Strawberry for a beer and a quick interview on his campaign, his political goals, and his background.

 

RK:  Let's start off with the basics. What's your name, age, and the office you are running for?

 

EG: Edgars Gudlevskis. I'm 27. I've filed paperwork to represent the Republicans in the upcoming election. I expect to run for a Senate District position, possibly Blaine County. We're also looking at the Mayor Election situation, but we're not too sure on that yet.

 

RK: When you say "We" are you speaking about the city-wide Republican party or you and your team?

 

EG: Well, I've filed as a Republican, but I don't believe in party labels. I'm more of an independent with policies that focus on freedom. That can be seen on my campaign website.

 

RK:  Okay so you don't have particular coordination with the local Republican officials just yet?

 

EG: The initial paperwork has been filed. I've been in contact with party officials about my plans. We're moving forward right now, so far so good.

 

RK: Mr. Joseph Hoffman is the Republican City Council District Representative for Blaine County. Is he someone that you've worked with in the past? Do you have any opinion on how his work has been as a District Representative?

 

EG: I'm not a fan of any of the Senate District Representatives [sic], that's partially why I'm so passionate about running. I support the Republicans slightly more than the Democrats, but it's really just a formality.

 

RK: Let's talk about your past. How long have you lived in Los Santos, what has your job history been like, and how has it made you the perfect candidate?

 

EG: Well. The people will be glad to hear that I love to fight for them. I've been here for a little while, not too long, but I love this city and its citizens.  I have volunteered at many local businesses, including the Grand Casino in Rockford.  I also have a connection with the Los Santos Fire Department in their Public Relations division. 

 

EG shows RK a badge issued by the Los Santos Fire Department denoting him as a Junior Journalist.

 

They serve the people. That's why I associate myself with them. I want to serve the people as well.

 

RK: Recently the Senate convened to nominate former City Operations Officer Charles Lockhart to be Attorney General. In his hearing, he was asked about the recent corruption scandal from former Mayor Oswald Halford. He was asked whether he thought anything could be done to have stopped the corruption before it happened.

 

He said "the system worked" [and implied] that there was nothing really that could have been done. Do you agree with this or do you have a plan to make our elections less prone to this sort of corruption?

 

EG: I must say that I think there are things that we can do.

 

RK: What would some of those be?

 

EG: What that is... It's going to be tough to really look at those changes. But I think we need a system centered around people, transparency, and freedom. Freedom is my major platform. I reiterate this over and over and over… It's stamped all over my website too. But I want freedom. Elections need to be free and fair. People need to have faith in the system and I'm going to fight to make that happen. 

 

RK: In the Senate, if you are elected you will have the power to write and propose legislation. Do you have any experience in writing legislation in your personal history?

 

EG: Writing legislation is important. I went to the University of Latvia and earned a degree in Economics. I would focus a lot of my legislation on the Economy, but also on freedom. I want gas prices to be lower for the Trucking and Taxi Cab industries. So I need to take a look at supply and demand.  I think the Senate also needs to look at supporting the farmers. One way we can do that is to provide them with grants and ensure that their crops remain valuable in our markets.

 

RK: I'm seeing freedom is a big theme. Can you give me your positions on the following hot-button issues: The Housing Shortage, Marijuana Criminalization, LGBT Rights, and Second Amendment Rights?

 

EG: Marijuana should be legal. LGBT will have equal rights, I am fighting to protect and 'EXPAND' the Second Amendment. Three very important... issues. I'm very clear. Legal. Equal. Protect.

 

RK: Do you have a plan for expanding housing so people are not living out of hotels? In Blaine, the housing shortage has people living in the city who work in the County.

 

EG: Expanding housing, well there's pros and cons to that issue. At the same time, I've lived in a Motel and I loved it. So I'm looking at that carefully, but I really think I'm pretty neutral on that issue. I'd probably vote to expand housing due to the shortage. I'd love to hear more about it from the people.

 

RK: Public housing you mean?

 

EG: Er. Yes.

 

Look. I've been around all of the districts. I've been in restaurants, bars, gas stations, all of it. The people are starting a movement behind Edgars. Behind... me... You know? That's important.  People are going to be shocked real soon.

 

RK: You, like so many Los Santos citizens, are someone who made Los Santos their home but still have a culture from another place. I am like this too. How does your Latvian culture inspire you to be a better Los Santan?

 

EG: Well. I love my home country of Latvia, but it had its problems. So does Los Santos. One thing that I've learned about being here in Los Santos is that I love working with the people.  I love farmers, fishermen, bartenders, dealers at the casino, citizens, police, firemen. I think we can find unity in that because we're all the same. Our backgrounds may be different but we're all from Los Santos, we're all living here. We need to work together to make it better, and even though I'm from Latvia, I'm fighting for them regardless. 
 

 

For more information about Mr. Gudlevskis and his campaign, you can find his website linked here. Are you part of the movement, do you have questions for Mr. Gudlevskis? Sound off in the comment section below and have your voice heard!

 

 

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Edited January 22, 2021 by Al-Malikah
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[Craazy]

Username: Tr3ySANkTA

Comment: this whats wrong with the city, niggas reporting on some goofy from LSFD and not the thousands of people getting harassed and abused by LSPD plus the many ongoing gang wars in south central

[Al-Malikah]

1 minute ago, Craazy said:

Username: Tr3ySANkTA

Comment: this whats wrong with the city, niggas reporting on some goofy from LSFD and not the thousands of people getting harassed and abused by LSPD plus the many ongoing gang wars in south central

 

Username: RKHATI

Comment: Thank you for comment Trey Sankta.

 

I just began reporting in Los Santos two days ago. In this time, I make three articles and one audio cast.

One of these three includes reference to overpolicing and gang wars in a street interview with young man from Davis.

 

I know that the media in this city has not always been thorough. I am one woman for now but I will do my best to give everyone a voice as much as possible, okey? In meanwhile I make no money from this and just try my best. 

[charles]

Username: WESTOW

Comment:  Met this guy in a bar, he's strange as fuck but he's got a good heart. Too bad he doesn't change his pair of clothes every now and then.