Cole Hefner

Republican | Texas

Candidate Profile*

Conservative

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Cole Hefner


Party

Republican


Election Year

2024


Election

Primary


Race

State Rep., Dist. 5


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Cole Hefner websites Facebook

EDUCATION

Home School, Pittsburg

WORK & MILITARY

Construction, Owner, 7

Construction, Vice President, 8.5

Insurance, Agent, 8

AFFILIATIONS

Rotary, Member, Lions Club

Member, South Jefferson Baptist Church, Member

National Rifle Association (NRA), Member

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

State Representative, 7

County Commissioner, 4

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

SCORECARDS

CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS


LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (10)

Young Conservatives of Texas

National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF

*Texas Home School Coalition (THSC)

Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA PAC)

*Texas Values Action

OTHER (4)

Texas Alliance for Life PAC (TAL)

Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND

Texas Association of Realtors/TREPAC

Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT)

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)

Young Conservatives of Texas

Texas Home School Coalition

Texans for Medical Freedom

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (52)

Republican Women's Organizations (2023)

Ben Bumgarner (2022)

Caroline Harris (2022)

East Texans For Liberty (2022)

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2022)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (39)

Family Empowerment Coalition PAC (2023)

Brad Buckley (2022)

Capital Leadership Fund (2022)

Chris Spencer (2022)

Hank Hering (2022)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

Mary E. González (2019)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)

American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2022)

Texas Sands (2022)

Texas Trial Lawyers Association (2022)

OTHER INFORMATION

The 2023 TX House  according to Rice University analysis.

Candidate was 8th most conservative State House member according to Rice University 2021 analysis.

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Elective abortion should not be allowed.

Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

Strongly Agree

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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.

Strongly Disagree


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Under what circumstances can government close churches?

The government should not be allowed to close churches under any circumstances.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes the United States' relationship with Israel is important for multiple reasons. These reasons include the biblical importance of Israel and America's calling to support Israel, in addition to practical strategic/defense importance.


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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

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?

Vaccinations should be the choice of an individual, not the choice of a government, school, or employer.


ECONOMY

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

What is your position on the minimum wage?

The true "minimum wage" is zero. The government imposing a minimum wage on employers leads to a distorted employment market and in reality, prevents people from employment.

Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?

No


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Strongly Agree

The federal government of the United States should do much more to secure the southern border (and all of our sovereign borders), instead of abdicating its duty and forcing state legislatures (like in Texas) to spend state dollars to do their job for them.


EDUCATION

The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.

Strongly Agree


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Strongly Disagree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

Public safety is enhanced when laws restricting lawful gun ownership are repealed. Very few restrictions -either federal or state- are necessary.

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?

Yes

Our schools -- and any "gun-free zones" -- are soft targets for those who wish to harm innocents. Arming educators who are law-abiding gun owners would be a strong preventative measure to these tragic school shootings.


ABOUT YOU

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

The general purpose of government should be narrow in scope and extremely limited. The main duties of our government should be to protect our God-given liberties and constitutional freedoms. Tracking with that belief, the government's main duties should be national defense and protecting our borders.

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


VALUES

Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.

Strongly Agree

Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.

Strongly Agree

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Strongly Disagree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Strongly Agree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I believe that accepting Jesus is the only way to salvation and eternal life. I believe that the Bible is the Word of God.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.

Strongly Disagree


EQUALITY

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

Racism is despicable in any context. However, the Biden administration and anti-American activists have weaponized the term "racism" in an attempt to impart their flawed ideology on Americans. There are many domestic security threats but I believe the priority should be neutralizing security threats from foreign regimes who wish to annihilate the American way of life.

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Strongly Disagree

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.

A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources.

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Oil and natural gas remain the most reliable energy source that is currently deployable. Nuclear energy and coal should also be a strong part of our domestic energy portfolio.

If you are not already receiving our emails, stay up to date with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.

I agree to receive text messages at the phone number provided.