
Bret Richards
Republican | Iowa
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Bret Richards
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 4
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
University of Iowa, Iowa City, BS in Civil Engineering, 1995
Bellevue University, Bellevue, MA in Leadership, 2008
Bellevue University, Bellevue, PhD In Human Capital Management, 2015
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Army, First Lieutenant, 4
AFFILIATIONS
Manning Regional Healthcare Center, Board Chair, Manilla Youth Foundation
Volunteer coach baseball and basketball, IKM-Manning School Improvement Advisory Committee, Member
Irwin Quasquicentennial Celebration, Co-Chair
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Life begins at conception. Abortion ends a life and there are no exceptions.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
Everyone that has paid into the system will not have the system changed. But for generations that have not entered the job market yet, we should pursue reforms such as increasing the retirement age.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Every single area needs to reduce spending. In a post Covid-19 budget, we will need to find areas of government largesse and waste that are crippling our country.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
Never. People value what they earn. Giving someone free education will devalue any degree or schooling. We should get the government completely out of student loans.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
As the Founding Fathers intended, it means that the government would not establish a religion of the State. In this country, we have freedom OF religion not FROM it.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
We need to find ways to encourage competition in the healthcare marketplace. When there is competition, efficiencies are found and prices get reduced. This would include allowing insurance markets across state lines and tort reform.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
Maintain a strong military capable of defending our country and assets anywhere in the world.
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Our country should only accept immigrants who love our nation and its values. They should want to come to this country because of its renowned history as a beacon of liberty, free enterprise, and the rule of law. The number of immigrants we accept should be determined by how many we can properly assimilate and how many can support themselves and stand on their own two feet.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I try to live my life according to the Gospel of Christ each and every day. I attend the Church of Christ in Audubon, Iowa.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
NRA member, ABATE member, donated to Republican candidates, stood for a balanced budget every year when Mayor, championed small business as an entrepeneur bringing hundreds of jobs to western Iowa
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I would want every voter to know that I share many of their same Iowa values. Grew up in a small town. Married my high school sweetheart (and we are blessed with three wonderful kids). Served my country overseas as an officer in the Army and came back to the same small town to start a family and grow a business to employ over 300 people in rural Iowa. I've lived the American Dream and I want to make sure that my kids and every child in the Fourth District has the opportunity to do the same. Unfortunately, career politicians in Washington, DC have been putting themselves and their special interests in front of the good of our country for too long. They've sold out our nation to the highest bidder. President Trump has been working since day one for the American people but he needs a Congress that will support his efforts. I support President Trump so we can build a new American century grounded in faith, family, and the American way.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Protecting life. Balanced Budget Amendment. Term limits. I have also term limited myself by promising to serve 5 terms (10 years)
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. The people of our country come in many colors and from many traditions but we all call ourselves Americans. As a nation, we understand Martin Luther King's historic proclamation that we are to judge others not "by the color of their skin" but by the "content of their character".
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