

John Kavanagh
Republican | Arizona
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John Kavanagh
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 23
Incumbent
Yes
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
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
Lafafette NJ Town Council, 3
Fountain Hills Town Council, 6
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (4)
Arizona Free Enterprise Club; Arizona Right to Life Action; Center for Arizona Policy Action (CAP Action); National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (5)
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Arizona Police Association; Arizona State Troopers Association; Greater Phoenix Chamber; National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Arizona
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
David Schweikert (2008); John Sidney McCain (2008); Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2017); Young Republican National Federation (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Arizona Chamber of Commerce (2020); Arizona Leadership Fund (2020); Joe Arpaio (2014); National Federation of Independent Business (2014); National Rifle Association (2014)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2020)
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?
Only to save the life of the mother, if she chooses.
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?
It means that the state does not promote a particular religion over others, nor pay to promote religion other than schools thru parental vouchers, nor does the state interfere with the free exercise of religion.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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?
I would institute tort reform and free market principles to bring down prices and make insurance premiums tax deductible for individuals.
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?
Non-essential spending first, such as arts and recreation, and non-essential grants to outside groups, etc.
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?
Law abiding people who can contribute to society when their numbers are needed and can be accommodated without affecting US employment. I would also allow family members.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
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?
Prohibit felons from owning weapons and prohibit governments from over-regulating them and seizing them.
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?
Conservative spending (budget) Public Safety De-regulation
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
It is a threat to internal order and harmony but not necessarily to domestic security.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
http://acuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/09/CLA_Arizona_2019_web.pdf
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
My MA degree in government and politics and my PhD in criminal justice. I also retired as a detective sergeant after 20 years of police service and have been a college professor for over 209 yearsc
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 have served as a conservative for 9 years on two town councils and for 14 years in the Arizona legislature. My record is unblemished as a conservative and I am an effective proponent of conservative principles and values.
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 Catholic who holds true to the tenants of my faith and I am a social conservative.
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