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


Links

John Kavanagh websites
John Kavanagh email
Facebook

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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