Bob Adams is running against Jefferson County Commissioner Rusty Morgan in the Republican primary election for state senate in May. He lives with his wife Allison and four sons in Charles Town. Adams, 38, grew up outside of Baltimore in Harford County, Md. He spent one year in the Navy. In the 1990s Adams worked in Washington, D.C., as a political consultant for a number of groups, including Creative Response Concepts and National Right to Work, and as a spokesman for Pat Buchanan. In 2003 Adams moved with his family to West Virginia and started Great Inflates, a “moon bounce” rental business with his wife.

Observer:  You worked for nine years as a political consultant in Washington. What was that like?

Adams: Some of us are born entrepreneurs, business people, risk takers. Others are born to be good employees. I’m an entrepreneur. I didn’t like being told when to come and go. I didn’t like that there was a ceiling on how much you can make for your family. I didn’t like to be told if I could go home when I had a family member sick. I found it suffocating. It is a rat race.

Observer: So how did you get out of it?

Adams: I got to the point where I was looking for a solution. A good friend of mine suggested I read this book, Rich Dad Poor Dad. It presented a whole different picture. I was still taking the MARC train every day and hating every moment of it. I had to reprogram my mind to think like a business person. About this time we moved to West Virginia with nothing but my family. I had a little money left from selling our home in Maryland. In October 2003 we went out and bought three moon bounces. People told me I was out of my mind. We now have over 30 inflatables and have become one of the biggest party rental businesses in the state.

Observer: The Republican primary race for state senate is between you and County Commissioner Rusty Morgan. You have never held an elected office, while Rusty has a lot of experience. What do you have to offer?

Adams: I would disagree with what you said about experience. There is a world of difference between being county commissioner and state legislator. Neither Rusty Morgan nor I have served in the legislature, so neither of us has experience of the legislature.

Observer: Has Rusty Morgan been a good county commissioner?

Adams: He’s done a good job at identifying problems, not solving problems.

Observer: What in particular?

Adams: There is lots of posturing in the county commission, and not much is done. Take, for example, the garbage on Bloomery Road. Rusty Morgan went down there, got a nice write-up in the papers walking down there and looking at sofas, but there are still washing machines and dryers down there, there are sofas right down by the Shenandoah on Bloomery Road. He identifies problems but does not solve them.

Observer: What is the difference between you and Rusty Morgan on the issues?

Adams: Rusty has one issue. He is no-growth. He is against annexation. My number one issue is the economy. I want to spur economic growth in the state. I want to get rid of the franchise tax. I want to bring locality pay to teachers. And I want to increase the homestead exemption.

Observer: Exactly how would you increase the exemption?

Adams: I’m not going to pick a number out of the air. In terms of a specific number, I don’t have it. We need to increase it.

Observer: Did you vote in favor of table games at the racetrack?

Adams: When I ran for House of Delegates in 2006, I was in support. But when I saw the specifics of legislation, I voted against. I was concerned about the impact of table games on infrastructure in the county, on traffic, on police protection, and fire crews.

Observer: How much money are you going to put into the campaign?

Adams: I’m putting a significant amount in. Over $25,000 into the primary. The good thing about funding yourself is that you can be accountable to yourself.

Observer: Are you in favor of pipe-stem annexations?

Adams: To quote Rusty Morgan, “Not all pipe-stemming annexations are bad.” I agree with that. If you look at a number of pipe-stems, a good portion of it helps affordable housing. I think we should not take away this tool.

Observer: In 2004 you ran as state treasurer. In 2006 you ran for house of delegates. In 2007 you said you would run for governor. Now you are running for state senator. Do you think the voters will be confused by you running for all these different offices?

Adams:  Voters won’t be confused. You look at Governor Manchin; look at any of the leaders. A number of them run for different positions. The thread is that Bob Adams wants to give back to his community, and wants to be a public servant. He can’t be one if he is sitting around doing nothing. You have to run for office to be elected, and that’s part of the process.

Observer: If you won this term, would you commit to running again in four years for the Legislature?

Adams: Yes, absolutely. Will I stay for four years and then run for Congress? No.

Observer: Is there a disconnect between Charleston and Charles Town?

Adams: There is a huge disconnect. That is why it is important to send someone with huge energy, and who has patience to listen and work with the leaders of both sides of the aisle. I believe I’m that person.

For more information, http://www.questionanarchy.com/meetbob.html