Hear directly from Congressional candidates on the biggest issues in preservation today!

Richie Castaldo is a Libertarian running to represent the 2nd Congressional District of Oklahoma. To learn more about Richie’s thoughts on historic preservation issues, read his answers to our candidate survey below:

Is there a place you have visited, or a place in your Congressional district, that is particularly meaningful to you because of its history or cultural significance? Can you describe the place and what makes it special to you?

  • Cayuga Mission (100 yr old church and cemetery) near Grove, Oklahoma. Splitlog Church is a historic church building in Grove, Oklahoma. It was built in 1893 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 with NRIS number 72001061.

Do you think that heritage tourism (visiting cultural, historic, and natural resource areas) is a critically important economic engine for our nation?

  • Yes

Do you support National Park Service competitive grant programs, like Save America’s Treasures and the Civil Rights Grants program, which are designed to help communities highlight places where American history was made?

  • Yes

The National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act guarantee the public an opportunity to comment on proposals for federal undertakings, like major highway improvements, or federal building construction. Do you oppose efforts to weaken or reduce the requirement to solicit feedback from the public?

  • Yes

Do you believe that climate change considerations should continue to be part of the federal permitting process?

  • No

Do you support the Trump Administration’s current efforts to reduce the number of federal projects that require a review under the National Environmental Policy Act?

  • Yes

Do you believe that government-to-government consultation with federally-recognized tribes is vital when evaluating plans that could impact historic, cultural, and religious properties?

  • Yes

The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) is not funded through tax revenue; it receives money from federal oil and gas proceeds. Although the HPF is authorized to get $150 million per year, it has never received the full amount. Do you support full funding of the HPF?

  • Yes

Organizations like the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Science Foundation, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, are critical to understanding and preserving America’s historic resources. Do you support robust funding for these groups?

  • Yes

Would you be interested in joining the bipartisan Historic Preservation Caucus?

  • Yes

Have you had the opportunity to assist any historic preservation efforts in your community?

  • Harbor Village on Grand Lake, Oklahoma

Note: Richie’s opponents, Republican Rep. Markwayne Mullin and Democrat Danyell Lanier, have not yet responded to the survey.