Robert Nichols

Republican | Texas

Candidate Profile

Leans Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Robert Nichols


Party

Republican


Election Year

2018


Election

General


Race

State Senator, Dist. 3


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Robert Nichols websites FacebookX

EDUCATION

Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, B.S., Industrial Engineering, 1968

WORK & MILITARY

(Candidate did not provide)

AFFILIATIONS

East Texas Medical Center - Jacksonville, Board member, Nan Travis Hospital Foundation

Board member, Jacksonville Economic Development Corp., President

Texas Transportation Commission, Commissioner

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Jacksonville Mayor, 4

Jacksonville City Council, 4

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

Race

Previous Races

SCORECARDS

CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS


LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (1)

National Rifle Association PVF

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (21)

Brandon Creighton

Brian Babin

Brian Birdwell

Dan Patrick

David Dewhurst

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (28)

Barry 'Kip' Averitt

Bascom W. Bentley III

Bass Family PACs

Brandon Creighton

Brian Babin


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (6)

American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations

American Federation of Teachers

Association of Texas Professional Educators

General Contractors' Association of Pennsylvania

International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates)

OTHER INFORMATION

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

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

Only in cases where the mother is at immediate risk of death, or pregnancy due to rape or incest.


ECONOMY

It is the government’s responsibility to be sure 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

The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.

Agree

Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

Strongly Agree

What is the best way to bring down unemployment?

Encourage private sector investment by reducing government spending and regulations.

What role should government play in boosting the economy?

With the exception of investing in public education and infrastructure, like roads, state government should only play a limited role in boosting the economy.


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


HEALTHCARE

It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.

Strongly Disagree

How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?

I have and will continue to support market-based reforms to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.


NATIONAL SECURITY

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

Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.

Strongly Disagree

I support sanctuary cities.

Strongly Disagree

The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.

Agree


EDUCATION

Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.

Strongly Disagree


VALUES

Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Strongly Agree

Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.

Strongly Disagree

People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."

Strongly Disagree

Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.

Strongly Agree

What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?

The shared belief that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Also, the fear and experience of a centralized government impeding those rights.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a Christian and a member of Jacksonville First United Methodist Church. My grandfather was a Methodist preacher for over 50 years in East Texas, as was my uncle.


ABOUT YOU

I voted in these primaries and general elections:

2010 General Election, 2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary

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.

During my six sessions as a state senator, I have authored and passed legislation to protect landowners' rights, increase educational opportunities in East Texas and reform transportation policies. I also also worked to reduce Medicaid fraud, and promote free-market principles. I was designated as a Top Legislator by Texas Insider, a Champion of Free Enterprise by the Texas Association of Business, a Courageous Conservative by the Texas Conservative Coalition, and a Top 10 Best Legislator for the 85th Legislative Session by Texas Monthly Magazine.

What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?

In my hometown I served on city council, was elected mayor, built four successful manufacturing facilities, earned 32 U.S. patents and 128 foreign patents, and created more than 900 jobs for East Texas families. I also served for 8 years on the Texas Transportation Commission, having been appointed by then-Governor George W. Bush and Governor Rick Perry.

E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:

robert.nichols@senate.texas.gov / 512-463-0103 512-463-0103 (Capitol office)

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

I worked my way through college by selling fireworks and ironing clothes for other students, and married my high school sweetheart, Donna. We are the proud parents of three children: Brittney, Joshua, and Collynn'rae, and proud grandparents one grandaughter, Remi.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support the death penalty.

Agree

Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.

Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.

Strongly Disagree


OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

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