I stand for traditional American values; that is, respect for the Flag, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and honoring those veterans and other American icons, who came before us to make this country great.  God gave us our Rights and they gave us the ability to speak without fear of retribution, to attend or not attend church, to defend one’s self and family, to privacy, and to bring our children up as we see fit.  In short, we have the Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property, which are always close to extinction, requiring a fight to keep them.

As a Marine, I swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States. I took this oath very seriously. In the years since I first took this oath, I witnessed many politicians ignoring the Constitution and doing only what was politically expedient.  This must end. Our country is being torn apart by politicians with personal agendas; specifically, to gain and maintain power over their constituents.

After 35 years of service as a Marine and civilian Intelligence Professional; having worked on very sensitive topics including being a Subject Matter Expert on Port Security, Terrorism, Yemen, and Syrian refugee vetting over the last 18 years since retiring from the Marine Corps, I have a myriad of experience and expertise in the very areas that are being fought in Congress today.  I believe I can add tremendous insight and value to the discussions and potential legislation.

Like everyone else, my life has influenced my positions on many issues – many of which are inconsistent with the positions of Congressman Scott.  One in particular is School Choice for inner city children. I believe all children deserve a high quality education and will support a School Voucher Program that can be used in both public and private schools, at the discretion of the parents.  This is opposed by Democrats as a means to keep poor people poor and dependent on Democrats.  I pledge to help people rise into the middle class, not simply be sustained in poverty for political gain.  

I believe in Limited Government, Free Enterprise, a Strong National Defense, and Traditional American Values.  I will never vote for anything unconstitutional. 

Why have I decided to run for office?  First and foremost because most Americans don't trust politicians but have high regard for the military.  As a retired Marine First Sergeant, I will bring the values of honor, courage, and commitment.  That is, I will always be honest, no matter what; I will maintain the moral courage to give my opinion, even when it conflicts with others in my party; and I will remain committed to my constituents and to the Constitution of the United States, as written and amended.

We must take back the freedoms and liberties that have been part of American culture since its inception.  Over the past five decades, we have surrendered too many of our freedoms to faceless bureaucracies, whether it’s a Homeowners Association, School Board, City Council, all the way up to many federal agencies, as well as to our so-called Representatives.

Many Americans can't put a new door on their home without asking permission but their underage daughter can have an abortion without their permission.  This is beyond ludicrous; this is insane.

When you compare my experiences, both professional and personal, you’ll conclude that I, John Collick,  will represent Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District much better than Bobby Scott ever could.

If you can help elect John Collick, please consider contributing whatever you can and volunteering to help get our message out.  

Note: The maximum contribution limit is $2,800.



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    “Mr. Collick's passion and pure motivation to do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons is what the American people need to remain a strong nation.”

May 12, 2019

Op Ed: Entry Control Points - Do We Really Need Them

                After considerable thought and reviewing the Democratic party’s position on building the wall along the Southern border, it seems only appropriate to discontinue interviewing and inspecting foreigners entering the United States through airports. If we don’t need to do this on the borders, why waste money doing it at the airports?

                When anyone enters (or returns to) the United States through an airport, they must stop at a checkpoint, show their passport, and answer any questions posed by the Customs and Border Protection Officer.  This is precisely what any barrier on the Southern Border would do – it would create a means of forcing people to use the entry control points and enter the United States legally.

                While some people would continue to try to cross illegally – and some will succeed – the vast majority will not.  Most people will realize that to enter the United States, they must do so legally.

                While Democrats are claiming that building a wall is racist, they wholeheartedly support the security measures for both in and out bound travelers using airports.  Could it be that they use airports too?  They want the airports secure for their personal safety but couldn’t care less about the average citizen’s safety.

                In fact, when the parents of people who were slain by illegal aliens tried to meet with several Democratic members of Congress, they were turned away.  While most Democrats are on record as supporting the building of a wall, they would rather see Americans killed by illegal aliens than let President Trump claim credit for getting it built.  These politicians need to go – they don’t have your best interests in mind, only their own.

                Who comes in through the Southern Border? Mexicans and other Central Americans mostly; however, an increasing number of people from the third world, including Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, are flying to Mexico in order to enter through the Southern border.  We know that there are people who wish to do us harm, including drug runners, gang members, and terrorists have entered the United States through the Southern border – and continue to do so.  We must have a means of keeping them out.

                So, if a wall is a bad idea, let’s just build several checkpoints that will be manned by Customs and Border Protection, who will process those wishing to enter the United States in the same manner they would in an airport. To ensure nobody enters illegally or brings anything into the United States that we don’t want in our country, we must do exactly what is done at the airports – we need barriers to funnel the people toward the entry control points, instead of a wall to keep them out.  If all their papers are in order, they have no communicable diseases, are not felons and have not previously been removed from our country, they should be admitted in accordance with our current laws.

                The Democrats cannot have it both ways. If security is paramount for people entering the United States through international terminals in airports, it must be at least equally important on the borders. Building formidable barriers and entry control points along the southern border isn’t racist, it’s simply one more method of keeping our country safe and it’s the right thing to do.

John W. Collick Jr. is a 100% disabled and retired Marine First Sergeant and a Republican candidate for Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District in the 2020 election. 

April 9, 2019

UPDATE - I’m officially running!

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported my campaign. It’s official – I’m running! In the next 24 hours, the money you pledged toward my campaign will be processed into a donation. The charge will appear as “DEMENG CROWDPAC” on your credit card.

This campaign would not have been possible without folks like you. Thank you for believing in me - let’s keep the momentum going and win this for [enter your city/state]!

April 7, 2019

Time to Begin

This week, I will officially establish an exploratory committee to seek the nomination as a candidate for Virginia's 3rd Congressional District.  In this campaign, I intend to use every form of communications available but the most important is meeting people face-to-face. Therefore, I am asking that all of my supporters in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District help me meet other voters here - and assist in raising funds.  If you'd like more information on how you can help, please contact me.

Again, thanks to all for your support so early in the election process. I'll never forget those of you who supported me from Day 1.

More to come soon.  Have a great week.

February 10, 2019

Meet John Collick

John is a disabled Marine, who served as a Signals Intelligence Collector and Analyst for 17 years, before being promoted to First Sergeant.  Due to service-connected injuries, he retired in early 2001; however, after 9/11, he began working as a Terrorism Analyst translating documents and conducting Open Source research for the U.S. Joint Forces Intelligence Command. He continued working for several Hampton Roads organizations, as well as in Washington, DC through the next 15 years, primarily analyzing National Security issues emanating from the Middle East.

In 2015, after two years working at United States Citizenship & Immigration Services Headquarters in Washington, DC, as a Senior Intelligence Analyst vetting Syrian refugees, he returned to Norfolk as an Immigration Services Officer.  A year later, while returning from a naturalization ceremony, he was involved in an automobile accident and subsequently retired from government service.  Because the federal government denied all claims for Workman’s Compensation, our family relied on a large withdrawal from his 401K, in addition to his military retirement and VA disability pay, so as not to go bankrupt.

Early Life

John was raised in Abington, MA, where he still has a large extended family – mostly cousins. He attended Abington Public Schools through the 8th Grade but wanted to go to a local Catholic High School.  Because his parents could not afford it, the Pastor at St. Bridget’s Church offered him a job of answering phones at the church several evenings each week.  Later, John started cleaning the church, the church hall, and the school.  In the spring of his Freshman year, John added mowing both the church grounds and parish cemetery to his list of jobs.  Because of this help from the Pastor, John attended Cardinal Spellman High School, where he graduated in 1980

When John was 8 years old, his mother’s Central Nervous System began deteriorating; doctors were never able to properly diagnose her.  She was restricted to a wheelchair for 24 years, including most of John’s youth.  He and his siblings immediately became responsible for all the chores typical of a housewife of that era, in addition to the normal yard chores.  Because her medicine was so expensive, there were times, especially when his father was laid off, when he and his older sister could have only two meals a day.

John graduated from Cardinal Spellman High in 1980 and joined the Marine Corps several months later, going to boot camp in February 1981.

Military

After graduating from Parris Island, John was transferred to Company K Marine Support Battalion, in Pensacola, FL, where he was trained as a Manual Morse Intercept Operator, followed by an 18-month assignment in Misawa, Japan.  In September 1983, John returned to the United States, being assigned to 2d Radio Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC and was immediately assigned to 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, which was being deployed as part of a NATO exercise in Norway, followed by operations off the coast of Lebanon.

John reenlisted in 1984 and continued his career as a Signals Intelligence Analyst, Morse Code Instructor, Arabic Linguist, Cryptologic Training Chief/Foreign Language Chief for the Marine Corps (1997-98), and finally, as First Sergeant of Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 8th Marines and 2d Military Police Company, before retiring.

Post-Military

John worked for a year as an Executive Team Leader at Target in Jacksonville, NC, but due to his service-connected injuries, had to leave this job.  Shortly after leaving, he was offered a temporary position at U.S. Joint Forces Intelligence Command, analyzing captured documents from Afghanistan.  After less than six months on the job, Booz-Allen-Hamilton offered John a consultant position, supporting Standing Joint Forces Headquarters, Homeland Security (SJFHQ-HLS), along with a large pay raise.  In this position, John was assigned as the Lead Counterterrorism Analyst, responsible for briefing the Commanding General each day. 

When SJFHQ-HLS was disestablished, John was assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard supporting the newly created International Port Security Program, with intelligence information for Coast Guard port inspectors traveling abroad.  After 18 months, John was hired by the U.S. Coast Guard as the Senior Threat Analyst for U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area in Portsmouth, where he worked for the next five years.

John also worked as a Senior Watch Analyst at the Department of Homeland Security, Supervisory Intelligence Specialist of the Illicit Travel Unit at Immigration & Customs Enforcement Headquarters, and Senior Intelligence Analyst, developing the Syrian Refugee Vetting Program for the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services Headquarters.

Family Life

John was married to his wife, Lisa, in 1986 and they have four children and two grandchildren. John’s youngest son, James, has Down Syndrome and is a Cancer Survivor. 

For most of their married life, they were living paycheck-to-paycheck, always seeming to have a health emergency whenever they had saved money for their future.  It wasn’t until John was in his late 40’s, when they finally achieved middle class status.  They lost middle-class status when John was injured at work, since the government denied his Workman’s Compensation application, but have prevented bankruptcy due to having savings and having VA Disability pay.

Personal Information

Education:           Certificate, National Intelligence University (formally, Joint Military                                           Intelligence College)

                             Bachelor of Science, Campbell University

                             Master of Business Administration, Northcentral University

Religion:               Roman Catholic, St. Mary of the Presentation, Suffolk, VA

                             Suffolk Knights of Columbus, Council 7363

Vets Groups:       Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 13

                             Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 824

                             American Legion, Member at Large

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