For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.
| Pro-life | Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade? | ||
| No | Do you support expanding federal funding to support social safety net programs such as Social Security and Medicare? | ||
| Yes | Do you support a decrease in income taxes in order to balance the budget? | ||
| No | Do you support a wealth tax in order to pay for public programs? | ||
| Economic Impact: Implementing a wealth tax could have negative consequences for the economy by discouraging investment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. Taxing accumulated wealth could reduce incentives for individuals to save and invest, thereby hindering capital formation and job creation. Double Taxation: Wealth tax as a form of double taxation since wealth is typically accumulated from income that has already been taxed. Imposing additional taxes on wealth could discourage savings and investment, disincentivizing individuals from participating in productive economic activities. Administrative Challenges: Determining the value of assets for taxation purposes, particularly for illiquid assets such as real estate or privately held businesses, could be complex and burdensome. Additionally, enforcing compliance with a wealth tax could be challenging and could lead to tax evasion and avoidance strategies. Alternative Solutions: Instead of implementing a wealth tax, I advocate for pro-growth economic policies such as reducing regulations, lowering tax rates, and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. Fostering a vibrant and dynamic economy will generate increased tax revenue that can be used to fund public programs and services without the need for a wealth tax. | |||
| No | Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations, unions, and individuals? | ||
| Free Speech and Limited Government: I emphasize the importance of protecting free speech rights, including the ability of corporations, unions, and individuals to contribute to political causes and candidates. Excessive regulation of campaign contributions could infringe upon First Amendment rights and hinder political participation. Transparency over Regulation: I prioritize transparency measures over strict regulation when it comes to campaign finance. I advocate for robust disclosure requirements that ensure voters have access to information about who is funding political campaigns and advertisements. Transparency allows for accountability and helps prevent corruption without imposing overly burdensome restrictions on political speech. Opposition to Overreach: I oppose efforts to expand government regulation of campaign finance that they perceive as overly broad or partisan. Such regulations could disproportionately impact certain groups or favor incumbents over challengers. Support for Supreme Court Decisions: I express support for Supreme Court decisions such as Citizens United v. FEC (2010) and McCutcheon v. FEC (2014), which struck down certain limits on independent political spending by corporations, unions, and individuals. These decisions as upholding First Amendment principles and protecting political speech from government overreach. | |||
| Yes | Do you support protecting government officials, including law enforcement officers, from personal liability in civil lawsuits concerning alleged misconduct? | ||
| Qualified Immunity: I support the concept of qualified immunity for government officials, including law enforcement officers. Qualified immunity shields government officials from civil liability when their actions do not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights that a reasonable person would have known. Qualified immunity is essential for ensuring that public servants can perform their duties without constant fear of personal liability and frivolous lawsuits. Balancing Accountability and Protection: I'd emphasize the need to strike a balance between holding government officials accountable for misconduct and providing them with necessary protections to perform their duties effectively. While accountability for wrongdoing is important, overly broad exposure to civil liability could have a chilling effect on law enforcement and other government functions, potentially undermining public safety and effective governance. Reforming, Not Abolishing, Qualified Immunity: I acknowledge concerns about qualified immunity and support reforms to make the doctrine more narrowly tailored and transparent. I may propose measures to clarify the standards for qualified immunity, increase accountability for egregious misconduct, or provide avenues for redress for victims of civil rights violations without unduly burdening government officials. | |||
| Yes | Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth (e.g. grants, tax incentives)? | ||
| No | Do you support the federal government increasing funding for affordable housing programs? | ||
| No | Do you support the federal government taking action, beyond those of the Federal Reserve, to alleviate inflation? | ||
| Yes | Do you support requiring a government-issued identification in order to vote at the polls? | ||
| No | Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)? | ||
| Yes | Do you support the federal government allowing permits for drilling on public lands? | ||
| No | Do you generally support gun-control legislation (e.g. red flag laws, boyfriend loopholes)? | ||
| Second Amendment Rights: I strongly prioritize the protection of Second Amendment rights, which they view as fundamental to individual liberties and self-defense. Any gun control measures should respect and uphold the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. Focus on Enforcement of Existing Laws: I'd emphasize the importance of enforcing existing gun laws rather than enacting new regulations. I support for stricter enforcement of laws targeting illegal gun trafficking, prohibited persons from obtaining firearms, and preventing gun violence through effective law enforcement strategies. Mental Health and Safety Measures: I'd prioritize addressing mental health issues and implementing safety measures as part of efforts to prevent gun violence. I support initiatives to improve access to mental health services, enhance school security, and promote responsible gun ownership through education and training programs. Opposition to Overreach: I am skeptical of expansive gun control measures that they perceive as infringing upon Second Amendment rights without effectively addressing the root causes of gun violence. I may oppose proposals such as bans on certain types of firearms or ammunition, universal background checks that could lead to a national gun registry, or restrictions on magazine capacity. Support for State and Local Control: I'd emphasize the importance of state and local control over gun laws, arguing that different communities may have varying needs and preferences when it comes to firearms regulations. | |||
| No | Do you support a government-run (e.g. single-payer) healthcare program, such as Medicare-for-All? | ||
| No | Do you support expanding paid family AND/OR medical leave benefits (e.g. maternity leave)? | ||
| No | Should the government be able to regulate the cost of prescription drugs? | ||
| Yes | Do you support increasing security along the southern US border? | ||
| No | Do you support requiring immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship, regardless of their immigration status? | ||
| Respect for the Rule of Law: I'd prioritize adherence to immigration laws and procedures, arguing that individuals should follow established legal pathways to citizenship. I support measures to enforce immigration laws, deter illegal immigration, and ensure that individuals who enter the country without authorization are held accountable for violating immigration statutes. Opposition to Amnesty: I oppose policies that grant amnesty or provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants without first addressing border security and enforcement measures. Offering citizenship to undocumented immigrants without consequences for illegal entry undermines the rule of law and incentivizes further illegal immigration. Support for Legal Immigration: I support legal immigration and may advocate for reforms to streamline the legal immigration system, increase visa availability for skilled workers, and prioritize merit-based immigration policies. | |||
| No | Do you support economic intervention as a means of resolving international conflicts? | ||
| No | Do you support the US providing increased offensive military aid to Ukraine? | ||
| No | Do you generally support increased regulations on social media companies (e.g. Tik Tok, Facebook, etc.)? | ||
| Free Speech and First Amendment Concerns: I prioritize protecting free speech rights and express concerns about government interference in online speech. I might be wary of regulations that could be perceived as infringing upon the First Amendment rights of social media users or imposing restrictions on political discourse and expression on these platforms. Opposition to Government Overreach: I'd be skeptic about government regulation in general and may be cautious about expanding regulatory authority over social media companies. Excessive regulation could stifle innovation, limit competition, and undermine the free market dynamics that have driven the growth of the tech industry. Concerns about Bias and Censorship: I am concerned about perceived bias and censorship by social media companies, particularly regarding the moderation of content and the suppression of conservative voices. I may support measures to increase transparency and accountability in content moderation practices but may be cautious about imposing regulatory mandates that could inadvertently worsen censorship or bias issues. Protection of Consumer Privacy: I support efforts to protect consumer privacy and data security on social media platforms. I advocate for regulations that require transparency and consent for data collection and use, as well as measures to safeguard personal information from misuse or unauthorized access by third parties. Focus on Competition and Antitrust: I'd prioritize promoting competition in the tech industry and addressing concerns about market dominance by a few large companies. I support antitrust investigations and enforcement actions against social media platforms to ensure a level playing field and prevent anti-competitive practices. | |||
| Close and Secure our Border : I would prioritize securing the southern border to prevent unauthorized entry into the United States. I advocate for measures such as increasing the presence of Border Patrol agents, constructing physical barriers (i.e. completion of border wall), deploying technology (e.g., surveillance drones), and improving infrastructure to monitor and control border crossings. It's an invasion right now on our southern border. We have smugglers, traffickers, terrorists, criminals, and gang members coming into our country via the border illegally. Record amount of Fentanyl, including in CD 32, is coming in. It needs to STOP! Stop foreign aid, especially to Ukraine : We've already sent $165 billion to Ukraine. It needs to stop. We have a record inflation, our debt is $34 Trillion. In this economy we cannot afford to send more foreign aid. It's the hardworking & taxpaying Americans' money. It's unfair to the Americans. |
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