Samuel "Sam" Clovis
Republican | Iowa
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Samuel "Sam" Clovis
Party
Republican
Election Year
2014
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Senator
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, BS, 1967
Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA, MBA, 1984
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, DPA, 2006
WORK & MILITARY
Morningside College, Professor and Chair, 2005-Present
Homeland Security Institute, Fellow, 2004-2010
Various, Management and Executive, 1996-2004
United States Air Force, Colonel, 1971-1996
AFFILIATIONS
Serious Civics for America, Inc., Founder and CEO, Serious Civics, LLC
Founder and CEO, IMPACT with Sam Clovis, LLC, Founder and CEO
Plymouth County GOP, Member, Central Committee, Republican Party
Alternate Delegate, National Convention, 2012, Republican Party of Iowa, Chair, 4th District Convention, 2012
Republican Party of Iowa, Delegate, State Convention, 2010 and 2012, St. Gabriel Communications
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
N/A
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
N/A
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (3)
Citizens United Political Victory Fund
Eagle Forum PAC
Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Citizens United
Eagle Forum
Gun Owners of America
Project to Restore America
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations
Republican National Committee
State Republican Party Organizations
Steve King
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (7)
Citizens United
Donald Trump
Eagle Forum
Gun Owners of America
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
1. Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and are the key to national prosperity.
Strongly Agree
2. It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
3. The United States must maintain a nuclear arsenal that is safe, reliable, modern and numerically superior to those of potential adversaries.
Strongly Agree
4. Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry of persons into the country.
Strongly Agree
5. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) should be repealed by Congress.
Strongly Agree
6. Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
7. Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
8. Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.
Strongly Disagree
9. Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
10. Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions when these are not economically feasible.
Strongly Disagree
11. More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
12. The founders established pure democracy in the Constitution because they believed that it is the best form of government to ensure the safety and equitable treatment of all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
13. People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
14. What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers within the Constitution?
Men are flawed and will, by nature, seek power in pursuit of self-interest. Madison warned in Federalist 10 about factions, and the system of checks and balances were put in place to present any one person, group or branch of government from assuming dictatorial powers. Tocqueville warned of soft tyranny if the nation did not maintain its moral base.
15. Briefly list three (3) political or legislative issues of most concern to you, and explain why each is important to you.
1) Tax Reform. Our current system is confiscatory and is based on taxing production. I support a Fair Tax that taxes consumption. Repeal of the 16th Amendment blocks the national government from a back door to more revenue. Short of getting Fair Tax, I would support reduction of the corporate tax rate to 10% and allowing off shore capital to return to the US at the same rate. 2) Balanced Budget Amendment. Our current profligate spending is ruinous in nature and will saddle generations to come with burdensome debt that will continue to retard the growth of our economy. Further, a BBA will limit the influence of special interests, the most corrupting aspect of government today. 3) Term Limits. Again, term limits further reduces the influence of special interests.
16. Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?
I am a Catholic and cannot find my way to exceptions of any kind for abortion. Who protects the unborn if not those who are empowered by the Constitution? It is, after all, the main role of government to protect its citizens.
17. Based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, please arrange the following entities, starting with the highest source of authority, and continue the list in descending order of authority, skipping any that do not apply: Academia, Congress, Constitution, God, Industry, Media, Professional Sports, Supreme Court, Voters.
God, Constitution and Congress (as the prudent magistrates elected by the people to represent their interests).
18. Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised evangelical and converted to Catholicism while in college. Thus, I am a conservative Catholic with a very wide evangelical streak. I drifted away from my faith until I had a "road to Damascus" moment in 1990. I had to pick young men to go off to war and found that I could not do that without getting back on my knees to ask for strength and wisdom. I have been on a spiritual journey back ever since. I live my faith, have accepted Christ as my Savior, witness for Him and hold strongly to the Word of God. I have been endorsed by Pastors Terry Amman (Walnut Creek Church) of Des Moines, Brad Sherman of Iowa City and Brad Cranston of Burlington, and Aaron Gonsaulus of Newton--all established evangelical faith leaders in Iowa.
