Dewayne Burns
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Dewayne Burns
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 58
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Agriculture, 1994
Texas A&M, College Station, Agricutlure, NA
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Cleburne Education Foundation, Charter Member, Johnson Co Economic Develpment Commission
Board Member, Johnson Co Emergency Services District, Fire Commissioner
Johnson Co Farm Bureau, President, First Baptist Church of Cleburne
Deacon, Cleburne Lions Club
Chisholm Trail 100, Ted Cruz Statewide Leadership Team
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Cleburne ISD Board of Trustees, 3
Texas State Representative, 8
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA PAC)
OTHER (3)
Texas Alliance for Life PAC (TAL)
Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND
Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
The National Rifle Association
Texas Alliance For Life
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (39)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
Andrew Murr (2022)
Brooks Landgraf (2022)
David Spiller (2022)
Ernest Bailes (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (21)
Capital Leadership Fund (2022)
Jake Ellzey (2022)
Texas Land and Title Association PAC (2022)
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association State PAC (2021)
Greg Abbott (2019)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2022)
Texas Sands (2022)
Texas Sorghum Association (2022)
Texas Trial Lawyers Association (2022)
A&M PAC (2021)
OTHER INFORMATION
The 2023 TX House according to Rice University analysis.
The candidate is ranked in this Rice University analysis of 2021 Texas State House members.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
None, an elective abortion is an abortion that's done out of choice, not medical necessity. Protecting the unborn has always been one of my top priorities, and I am proud of the work that we have done to make Texas one of the most pro-life states in the country. You can count on me to always stand for life.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
I will always stand for life, so I oppose the use of these drugs. However the question asks if I support the drug meeting essential safety standards, not if I support the use of it, and I believe that any medication should meet proper safety standards and guidelines.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I was a proud co-sponsor of SB 22, in the 86th legislative session, which prohibited Texas and its local governments from being able to partner with or give taxpayer funds to abortion providers including Planned Parenthood.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Under no circumstance should the government be allowed to close churches. I was a proud coauthor of HB 1239 during the 87th legislature that prohibits the government or a public official from issuing an order that closed or had the effect of closing places of worship in Texas.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, the relationship between the United States and Israel is important. We share similar values and commitments such as democracy,?economic prosperity, and?regional security.?
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Private entities should not be subject to vaccine mandate from the government. In the case of vaccinations in public entities I believe in requiring vaccinations that are proven to prevent deadly illness, with religious and medical exemptions.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise is the cornerstone of economic independence. I have focused my energies on reducing the size of government and regulation on private business, so they can expand, create jobs and grow the economy and so that Texas can continue to be the model for economic growth for the rest of the country. I am proud of my record as a champion for private property rights during my time in the legislature, and believe that a core function of government is to protect Texans right to property.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
We should not increase the minimum wage. Any form of a mandate increasing it will only cause businesses to increase prices, which will reduce buying power, which will cause for new calls to increase it in a never ending cycle.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Due to President Biden's dangerous open border policies, the Texas legislature has had to make historic investments in an effort to secure our border and keep Texans safe. I am determined to continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that the resources they need will remain available in order for them to keep our communities safe.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Disagree
Parents should have freedom in their child's education and the right to send their child to whichever public school they choose, with the money following the child to that public school. However, a voucher program will allow for the largest expansion of government in state history, because these dollars will be tied to new regulations for private schools. Often, these systems start small and eventually become unsustainable creating a new tax burden that property owners shouldn't have to pay.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I carried a portion of the anti-defund the police bill, in the 87th legislative session. I believe that giving our officers the resources that they need to do their job is vital to protecting our citizens.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe that the current restrictions that are in place in Texas are sufficient.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No, I have not.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No, I have not.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The general purpose of government, at it's core, is to promote and protect the right to life, liberty, and property for it's citizens.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Baptist that firmly believes in the teachings of the bible, and using biblical values to influence my heart in every decision that I make. Since I was first called to public service, I have tried to use everyday to expand my ministry.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
While I believe that racism is abhorrent I believe that it does not pose as large of a threat to domestic security as things like President Biden's open border policies, drug use, or defunding the police.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Fossil fuels will remain as the most reliable energy source to properly meet demand for electricity.
