John Kavanagh

Republican | Arizona

Candidate Profile*

Conservative

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

Name

John Kavanagh


Party

Republican


Election Year

2026


Election

Republican Primary


Race

State Senate, District 3


Incumbent

Yes


Links

John Kavanagh websites
John Kavanagh email
FacebookXYouTubeInstagram

EDUCATION

New York University (NYU), New York City, BA, 1973

St. John's University, New York City, MA, 1978

Rutgers University, Newark, PhD, 1994

WORK & MILITARY

NYS Army Reserve/National Gd, Sp4, 6 years

AFFILIATIONS

Fountain Hills Senior Services, Board Member

Knights of Columbus, Member

FH Parks and Rec Commission, Commissioner

Lafayette, NJ Board of Health, Member

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Lafayette NJ Town Council, 3 years

Fountain Hills Town Council, 6 years

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
OTHER (1)

*Greater Phoenix Chamber PAC

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)

Young Republican National Federation (2018)

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2017)

John Fillmore (2014)

David Schweikert (2008)

John Sidney McCain (2008)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)

Arizona Chamber of Commerce (2026)

Kevin Thompson (2024)

National Rifle Association (2024)

Regina Cobb (2024)

Arizona Leadership Fund (2022)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Service Employees International Union (2022)

Maricopa Colleges Faculty PAC (2016)

OTHER INFORMATION

Candidate's grade from pro-marijuana group, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

To save the life of the mother.

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Strongly Agree

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Strongly Agree

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Strongly Agree


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

Employers should set wages

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

Root out fraud. Make social programs safety nets and not hammocks. Perform frequent audits


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

Government should not create a state religion or favor one religion over others. Beyond that, the government can recognize God and allow prayer in schools.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree


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

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

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. Israel is our ally in a region where allies are few. In addition, they are a major force against international terrorism.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Strongly Disagree


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Agree

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Strongly Agree


VALUES

Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Strongly Agree

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Strongly Agree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Strongly Agree

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I believe in an almighty God who created us and oversees us. I also subscribe to the tenets of the Judeo-Christian religion as stated in the 10 Commandments.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

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

I have sponsored legislation supporting my position.


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Strongly Disagree

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Nuclear energy


ABOUT YOU

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

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

Protect the people

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

Convicted felons and the seriously mentally ill should not be allowed to possess guns.

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