Gregory Peter Puccetti
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Gregory Peter Puccetti
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 3
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Louisville, Louisville, MA, 92
Northern Illinois Uiversity, DeKalb, BA, 85
Norcentral University, Prescot, PhD, 2016
WORK & MILITARY
US Army, Colonel, 30
Jefferson County Public Schools, Technology/S Studies Teacher, 27
AFFILIATIONS
St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Although I personally believe that life begins at conception, I understand that the majority of citizens have differing opinions and that strict laws will never get passed in the near term. I would propose reducing the legal abortion window to 15 weeks or when there is a serious threat to the mother's health or life.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate clarified, "I personally believe that life begins at conception and I will support any legislation which moves closer to that goal. The only exception to this rule is when there is a serious threat to a mother's physical health or life.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
Growing the economy with good paying jobs is what is needed to reduce the income gap.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
Yes. There is far too much wasteful spending. The national debt is a ticking time bomb on our nation.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate clarified, "Yes. There is far too much wasteful government spending. The increasing national debt is not sustainable and is a ticking time bomb threatening the economic health of the nation and the world."
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Increasing the mandatory minimum tax and vastly reducing the amount of allowable deductions are two reforms that can be implemented.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
I disagree, but this can be a very slippery slope where various sides en mass start excluding and discriminating against other Americans. Any legislation needs to proceed with caution.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate clarified, "I disagree, but this can be a very slippery slope where various sides, en mass, start excluding and discriminating against other Americans. Any legislation needs to proceed with caution."
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
The government needs to abide by the principle of 'freedom of religion' and not 'freedom from religion'. The government need not promote one religion over another but should not prevent people from expressing their religious beliefs.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Every individual should have the right to decide what vaccinations they allow to be put in their bodies. Most of the time there is not an issue, but some vaccinations have not been fully studied for effectiveness or side effects.
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C. I am for providing subsidized healthcare to those who are not physically or mentally capable of providing for themselves and on a graduated scale for those who can't afford it.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
B/C. Except in limited circumstances, the United States must seek to steer clear of unnecessary foreign entanglements so it can focus on policies that directly help Americans.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate clarified, "C. Except in limited circumstances, the United States must steer clear of unnecessary foreign entanglements so it can focus on policies that directly help Americans."
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
Israel is an ally and an island of democracy in the Middle East.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Yes, the American government and businesses need to get serious about the long-term threat that China poses. Both the government and businesses continue to show deference to China in the hope of gaining access to the Chinese market. This needs to stop.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Except for immigration screening and enforcement, the U.S. is doing a good job working with other countries in order to help them protect themselves and limit the spread of Islamic terrorism. Improvements can always be made.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
America is truly a land of immigrants. However, the rule of law must be followed. The open southern border is a self-inflicted wound on Americal. Crime is increasing, thousands are dying every year from opioid overdoses, and American wages are being kept artificially low to cheap foreign labor. Open borders are hurting Americans and legal immigrants alike. The borders must be secured.
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Businesses are profiting while worker wages are suffering.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Congress decides what and how many immigrants to allow based on what is advantageous to Americans. The problem is that the Executive branch is not enforcing existing law.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Gender identity is a fictitious concept and rational Americans should not be forced to participate in that charade.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
CRT has devolved into race-based identity politics where children are taught that America is irredeemably racist and that their most important identifying characteristic is their race. CRT is causing children to grow up hating themselves and their country.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a practicing Catholic. I value my faith, my family, and loyalty to my country.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voting integrity must be maintained in order to ensure fair elections. Part of that means knowing that only eligible voters are voting.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
In-person voting with a Real ID is preferable with verified exceptions for individuals who cannot make it to the polls. Extending voting hours, days, and locations where needed would also be desirable. Election integrity must be maintained.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. This issue is overblown. However, individual racists and racist organizations that commit crimes must be punished as prescribed by the law.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
Energy independence is important to the nation. Fracking allows the country to be self-sufficient in a fuel source that is cleaner than coal.
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
B. Fracking is important but must be done with care. The environment must be safeguarded. Companies should not be allowed to get away with causing damage to the environment.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://whas.iheart.com/featured/terry-meiners/content/2022-02-24-greg-puccetti-talks-ukrainerussia-jcps-and-his-race-for-3rd-district/
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I am a retired Army Infantry/Intelligence Officer, retired teacher, a proud parent and a proud American. I plan on moving the country back to some of its more basic functions including: 1. Rule of Law: criminals are taken off the streets, so they do not commit more crimes. 2. Education: stop the CRT madness and begin directing federal education dollars to parents so that they can have a voice and choice in the education of their own children. 3. Economy: The government must enact policies to ensure that individuals and businesses, small and large, can prosper in order to fulfil their American dream.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
If needed, additional funding can be directed towards mental health and community programs, but not at the expense of law enforcement.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am a former Army Officer and proud gun owner. As the expression goes, "with great power comes great responsibility." Owning a gun is a great responsibility. I would not put additional restrictions on ownership, but gun owners have a duty to secure their weapons and must report lost or stolen weapons. The black market is flooded with lost and stolen weapons. These weapons fuel crime.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
