Candidate Tony Fulton in five:

1. I am a husband who, after 10 years, is still deeply in love with his wife. This is my No. 1 responsibility in life.

2. I am a daddy to five little children. If I fail at No. 1 or No. 2, not much else matters to me.

3. I dreamed, conceived and founded Guardian Angels Homecare. This is one of those idealistic streaks of stubbornness that has been successful and helpful to many people. 

4. I work — a lot.  I don’t watch TV.  With the exception of exercise, church and family time, I work continuously, probably 12 to 14 hours a day every day. We’re on this earth for a short while, and there is much to get done. 

5. I think — a lot. When I should be sleeping, I think. I will string syllogisms in my sleep, wake up and write down what I just thought. 

Republican Fulton, 35, was appointed to the Legislature by Gov. Dave Heineman in 2006. He has a degree in mechanical engineering and is an entrepreneur.

On the campaign trail:

Fulton has knocked on about 3,500 doors in the past year. Several hundred people are actively engaged in his campaign, he said, and he has nearly 1,000 donors, many of them giving $20 to $25.

He has raised $93,500.

He has learned people do pay attention to what is going on in the Legislature.

They think all taxes are too high.

And they are concerned about illegal immigration.

Q: Should the state have a role in the (illegal) immigration issue? If so, what specific legislation or bill might you propose?

A: I take both a personal and political view of the issue. The maternal side of my family is in the Philippines, and many of the people there live in abject poverty.

They would love to come to America and enjoy the benefits of this country, but it takes money and time to navigate the immigration system. They respect the laws of our country, as do many people in the world.

I sponsored or helped sponsor an immigration bill and  a resolution in the 2008 session. The resolution (LR224) would have encouraged law enforcement agencies in Nebraska to enter into a memoranda of agreement with the secretary of Homeland Security for training in federal immigration enforcement.

The bill (LB963) would have required verification of lawful presence in the United States to receive state and local public benefits.

Both bills were killed in committee.

Q: What should be done to ensure that residents of the Beatrice State Developmental Center, the Lincoln Regional Center and other Nebraska institutions get safe, adequate care?

A: Our policy should be based on respect, even awe, for the inherent dignity of humans. With this basis, financing, staffing, training, etc., are most properly ordered, and an uplifting culture can be established. I supported the creation of a special legislative committee with the powers of a standing committee to investigate  and propose solutions by Dec. 31, 2008.

— JoAnne Young