Allen West
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Allen West
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, Bachelors, 1983
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, Masters, 1997
U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer College, Fort Leavenworth, KS, Master of Military Arts and Sciences, 1998
WORK & MILITARY
United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel, 1983
U.S. House of Representatives, Member of Congress, 2011-2013
National Center for Policy Analysis, Executive Director, 2016-2017
Texas State Guard, Lieutenant Colonel, 2019-Present
Republican Party of Texas, Chairman, 2020-2021
AFFILIATIONS
Sunset Advisory Commission, Public Member, National Rifle Association
Board of Directors, National Center for Policy Analysis, Executive Director
Amegy Bank, Board of Advisors
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
U.S. House of Representatives (FL-22), 2011-2013
Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, 2020-2021
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2011-12
100%
2012
100%
2013
100%
2012
100%
2012
92%
2012
88%
2012
76%
2012
75%
2011-2012
73%
2011-2012
70%, 70% (cum.)†
2011-12
|100%
2012
|100%
2013
|100%
2012
|100%
2012
|92%
2012
|88%
2012
|76%
2012
|75%
2011-2012
|73%
2011-2012
|70%, 70% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2012
0%
2011
0% (cum.)†
2012
0%
2012
0%
2012
|0%
2011
|0% (cum.)†
2012
|0%
2012
|0%
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (9)
Alma Perez Jackson
Black America's PAC (BAMPAC)
*Denton County Conservative Coalition (D3C)
Grassroots America: We the People
Kyle Biedermann
OTHER (3)
Alice Linahan
Michael Flynn
Texans for True Conservatives (TexasCPAC)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Michael Flynn
TexasCPAC
Michael Yon
Nick Vujicic
Alma Jackson
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Republican Women's Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Committee to Defend the President (2019)
Jay Dean (2020)
John J. Carona (2011)
Kyle Biedermann (2019)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
This may anger some, but there are instances where neither you, nor I, nor the government should be involved when a woman has to make a very difficult choice. Those choices are when her body has been criminally violated, or when it is her life at stake.
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
-
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I find it rather disconcerting, and disturbing, that the individual tax policy of Texas is based upon the planks of Karl Marx written in “The Communist Manifesto.” Yes, two of his planks called for a progressive tax system, meaning an individual’s income is taxed and increased as their income grows. Marx advocated for the end of private property. In Texas – as it stands now — we continue to face rising property taxes with the end result that Texans never actually own their homes. Elimination of property taxes is a major priority of mine.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I will review the past 20 years of Sunset Advisory Commission recommendations in reforming Texas State government. The savings we find can begin to offset and lower property taxes for Texans. We finally have spending control laws in place, but we need to get government growth back within its prescribed constitutional roles and responsibilities.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
-
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
-
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
There are no circumstances in which I believe governments should close churches. I see the progressive socialist left trying to separate us from our Judeo-Christian faith heritage and if they do that, then government with a little 'g' replaces God with a big 'G' as the ones who grant you your inalienable rights, and I will fight to ensure religious liberty in the state of Texas.
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
There are no circumstances that any government, school, or employer should be allowed to require vaccinations.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
First and foremost, the United States needs to secure our southern border. While many on the left keep urging that the individuals illegally entering our country are simply "seeking a better life", there's a major national security threat that comes along with open borders. A large amount of illegal immigration each year comes from Special Interest Aliens, many of which are known members of Islamic terrorist groups. At both a federal and state levels, we need to create policies and work with law enforcement to protect our national security and reduce the risk of Islamic terrorism.
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
-
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
-
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who plan entering the United States legally should be allowed to immigrate. Those who plan to enter the United States illegally and are connected to international terrorist organizations or cartels should not be allowed to immigrate.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
-
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
-
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
-
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
As a Christian constitutional conservative, combat veteran, and former member of the US Congress, my life has been defined as one of service, sacrifice, and commitment to this Republic, the United States of America. I believes it will be conservative, free market policies, not politics that secures a sound economic future for Americans – with growth, opportunity and returning the promise of the American dream for this generation and those to come.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
-
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I will support a full, comprehensive forensic audit of ballots, voting system software platforms, voting records, and records kept by local election administrators, such as what is outlined in Texas House Bill 241, to assess the accuracy of the reported election results and compliance with our state’s election laws.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is not a threat to domestic security, but the progressive left's response to racism through organizations like BLM and Antifa is a threat to domestic security in the United States. In the last year and a half, we've seen major cities all around the country end up in flames with many lives lost in the left's effort to "combat racism".
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
-
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
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.
A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
-
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government's purpose is to protect our fundamental and individual rights, provide security, and to uphold the rule of law.
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
-
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://clashdaily.com/2021/12/watch-ltc-allen-wests-inspiring-message-about-america-will-make-patriots-scream-like-a-bald-eagle/ https://newstalk1290.com/allen-west-calls-in-to-wichita-falls-to-discuss-the-texas-border-situation/ https://radio.foxnews.com/2021/10/12/lt-col-allen-west-ret-let-people-decide-whats-best-for-them-and-their-bodies-when-it-comes-to-taking-the-covid-vaccine/?fbclid=IwAR3mvqzirPpddDiVSYgR8GQa-HRhd0mBYwKloNtLe5Wbthpdirr4L68Dapg https://therightscoop.com/watch-allen-west-explains-how-he-would-secure-the-texas-border-on-tucker-carlson/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjsLUwwYlG8
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
N/A
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
It is within us, as human beings, to create and establish a legacy that will transcend our own lives. I believe our Founding Fathers reflected upon this creation, these United States of America. I believe that these seemingly ordinary men, and women, breathed life into something that was unheard of: a nation founded upon individual liberty, rights, and sovereignty. They sought to establish a legacy that would transcend time, and their own lives, believing that each generation would pass on this ideal to the next and they would reflect back upon their wisdom, courage, discernment, and intellectual prowess. I seek to protect these gifts for my family and yours.
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.
Disagree
-
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
An armed man is a citizen. A disarmed man is a subject. Self-defense is a natural right endowed by our creator to protect our life, liberty, and property. The first step a communist government takes in reaching power is confiscating guns from their citizens. This will not happen under my watch.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
-
