Jim Cox
Republican | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jim Cox
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 129
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, FL, B.A. in Pre-Law, 1992
Regent University School of Law, Virginia Beach, VA, J.D., 1996
WORK & MILITARY
PA State Bar, Licensed Attorney, 19
U.S. District Court - Eastern District, Admitted, 17
AFFILIATIONS
Reading-Berks Junior Soccer League, Assistant Coach, Victory Baptist Church
Board of Directors, High Point Baptist Academy, Middle School & Varsity Soccer Head Coach
GT Church, Volunteer, Miller-Keystone Blood Center
Blood Drive Host & Coordinator
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 14
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2018
100%, 91% (cum.)†
2016
79%, 86% (cum.)†
2019
84%, 84% (cum.)†
2018
|100%, 91% (cum.)†
2016
|79%, 86% (cum.)†
2019
|84%, 84% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (4)
Firearms Owners Against Crime
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Pennsylvania
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
PA Chamber of Business and Industry
OTHER (1)
Republican Committee of Lancaster County
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Firearm Owners Against Crime (2006)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
National Rifle Association (2018)
State Republican Party Organizations (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (17)
Bryan Cutler (2018)
Citizens for Prosperity in America (2013)
Gordon Denlinger (2018)
Jerry Knowles (2018)
Joseph "Joe" Pitts (2013)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2019)
American Nurses Association (2019)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (2019)
Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association (2013)
Political Labor Action Now (2019)
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?
Abortion in this day of technological advances and medical miracles should be extremely rare. Modern-day instances of aborting a child to save the life of the mother are very rare. Also, while incest and rape are also commonly-sited exceptions, I don't believe that that child is any less of a child because of the unfortunate circumstances surround the way he/she was conceived.
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
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Much of government spending is waste directed toward special interests that have found favor with the leaders in government. Additionally, government should not be expected to prop up failing businesses or non-profits that couldn't remain in existence without government funding. Government has grown too large too fast and could be down-sized to focus more on the basic functions of government, creating opportunities for its citizens to thrive.
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
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
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?
Separation of church and state means that the state cannot require its citizens to become involved with or financially support a religion. It does NOT mean the state cannot enact laws that somehow ultimately benefit a religion or further a cause that is important to a religion (i.e. feeding the poor, sheltering the homeless, etc.)
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Adequate, affordable and accessible healthcare should not be paid for by the taxpayers of Pennsylvania or of the United States. However, we can and should examine regulatory and statutory impacts on medical providers to make sure they can function without the threat of litigation for honest mistakes made in a complicated medical scenario. The unbridled lawsuits have made it extremely expensive for medical practitioners in this country to survive.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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
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
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those willing to come to the U.S. legally, following the statutory process, should be permitted to immigrate to the U.S. Also, those truly seeking freedom from religious or physical persecution should be considered. All must seek employment so as not to burden other Americans with meeting their needs. They must also abide by all laws to remain here.
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 am a born-again Christian and I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and is completely relevant and necessary in our daily lives. I believe God is in control and I am to seek His will for my life and to seek His will for my family, for whom I am ultimately responsible.
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.
I try to make my decisions on all matters based on the guiding principles of the Bible. I have voted against tax increases and for bills that advance the pro-life and pro-Second Amendment positions.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a licensed attorney with law school training on Constitutional law and individual rights. Further, I have 14 years of legislative experience as a state representative and 8 additional years as a legislative staff member who handled constituent requests, drafted legislation and assisted a state representative in the performance of his duties.
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 am a God-fearing, family-oriented man who has served my constituents in the 129th district faithfully for the last 14 years and I would be honored to be able to serve another term as their state representative.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
If fairly straightfoward terms, individuals with felony convictions as well as violent individuals and mentally-compromised individuals should be restricted from purchasing firearms. Outside keeping guns out of the hands of those we know have violent histories, etc. we should permit individuals to obtain firearms to make sure they are able to protect their families and their property.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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?
I will continue to advocate for property tax elimination or significant reform, especially in light of the financial struggles the people of Pennsylvania are currently facing. I will continue to advocate for and sponsor legislation that places human life at the forefront of people's minds and helps them understand the importance of protecting life from conception to the grave. I will continue to advocate for legislation that promotes the family as the primary advocate for children, with the understanding that parents know best for their children.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism, left unchecked, could become a threat to domestic security in the same way that any immoral behavior could become a threat. Laws must be enforced and order must be maintained. Racism, perceived or real, cannot be the basis to threaten the safety or security of individuals or of our communities.
