Debbie Lesko
Republican | Arizona
Candidate Profile*
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Debbie Lesko
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 8
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin, Madison, BBA, 1981
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Faith House-Domestic Violence Shelter, Advisory Council, AZ Republican Party
Officer, Maricopa County Republican Party, Officer
Legislative District 9 Republican Party, District Chairman, Arrowhead Republican Women
1st Vice President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Congresswoman, 2.5 years
AZ State Senator & Rep., 9 years
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (13)
Arizona Free Enterprise Club
Arizona Right to Life Action
Campaign for Working Families
Center for Arizona Policy Action (CAP Action)
Citizens United Political Victory Fund
OTHER (2)
*The Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA)
VIEW PAC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (20)
Brian Fitzpatrick (2019)
Committee to Defend the President (2018)
Don Bacon (2019)
Donald Trump (2020)
Frederick Stephen "Fred" Upton (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (98)
American Revival PAC (2018)
Ann PAC (2018)
Arizona Chamber of Commerce (2018)
Arizona Free Enterprise Club (2018)
Arizona Leadership Fund (2016)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Airline Pilots Association (2020)
Emily's List (2020)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2018)
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (2020)
Paul Singer (2019)
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?
To protect the life of the mother.
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
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?
Freedom to practice the religion of your choice. I am a strong supporter of religious liberty.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
America needs to stand strong in defending liberty. President Trump has defeated ISIS. We must continue to rebuild our military and take strong actions like the Trump Administration has done.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
No Answer
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
While in Congress, I have cosponsored and supported legislation that would promote more freedom in healthcare. The problem now is that there is too much government control in healthcare decisions. We need to expand health savings accounts, reduce regulations and provide more options to patients. Obamacare has raised costs and reduced options for patients and Americans deserve better.
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
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
While in Congress, I have been a strong supporter of maintaining and protecting Social Security benefits for current and future enrollees. Our country has a spending problem and we need to ensure that our spending in other areas of government do not impact our ability to support this important benefit for retirees.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The United States has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Government was collecting record revenues from pro-growth policies like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and a strong economy. We need to focus on continuing to grow our economy. The federal government spends far too much on unnecessary government programs. For example, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation spent $1.2 million on a study for online dating.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
American taxpayers should not be on the hook for decisions that college students make on taking out student loans. There are already numerous programs to help with college affordability like Pell Grants, and low interest loans. We need to do a better job of educating prospective students about the cost of loans, the availability of jobs for their degree program, and encouraging students to explore other high-paying job development opportunities like trade schools.
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
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
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
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
America’s immigration policy needs to put Americans first. We need to reform our immigration policy so that those whom we are letting in strengthen our country and fill gaps in areas that we need. We need to move our immigration policy to a merit based system and not one based on diversity.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
No Answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
America has plenty of gun laws on the books and we need to enforce those laws. Dangerous criminals and felons should not have access to firearms, but we need to protect the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding citizens.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
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?
1) Continue to support Americans who have been impacted by COVID-19; 2) Keep Americans safe by supporting our law enforcement, our military and securing our border; and 3) Grow jobs and our economy.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
America is not a racist country. There are racist people, but an overwhelming majority of Americans are good hardworking people. The Radical Left has built a narrative that our country is full of racists and we are in danger. The reality is that radical anarchists like ANTIFA are the real threat.
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.
Did not answer
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 am a hard worker for my constituents and I always put them first. I don’t take anything for granted and it is an honor to represent Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. My number one priority as a Member of Congress is helping my constituents and providing the best customer service to them.
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 Christian who believes in Biblical principles.
