Joe Peters
Republican | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joe Peters
Party
Republican
Election Year
2018
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 8
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, JD, 1983
King's College, Wilkes-Barre, BA cum laude, 1979
Police Academy, Scranton, Act 120 Certification, 1978
WORK & MILITARY
White House Drug Czar's office, Acting Deputy Director/ Assistant Deputy Director, 1999-2003
PA AG's Drug & Organized Crime Division, Executive Deputy Attorney General, 1989-1995
Federal Mafia prosecutor, Special Assistant to the United States Attorney, 1986-1989
Scranton Police Dept., Patrolman, 1979-1981
AFFILIATIONS
UNICO, volunteer, Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple
Executive Director
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
PA Auditor General, 2004
PA Attorney General, 2016
Race
Previous Races
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (7)
John Sidney McCain
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations
Lou Barletta
Pat Meehan
Rick Santorum
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
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
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.
Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Additional regulations are needed to prevent climate change.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
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
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
It is OK for Congress to exempt itself from compliance with laws applicable to all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
I support the death penalty.
Agree
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
The United States should protect its sovereignty from the United Nations.
Strongly Agree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Extremely limited, and only in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
More aggressive use, mobilization and integration of our military, intelligence community against foreign actors like Al Queada and ISIS on their soil before they get here. Ensure greater Integration of the FBI, Departments of Justice and State with state and local law enforcement to earlier identify and neutralize threats, particularly regarding home grown terrorists and domestic terrorists. Recognizing that Islamist terrorist organizations are political groups that highjack the religion of good people of Islam, we must work with the many good Islamic leaders to help them identify and de-radicalize their youth in America. Educate key infrastructure partners (Internet, electrical grid, water suppliers, banking industry, etc.) and general public (See something, Say something) as to early indicators of terrorist activities. Harden our infrastructure, including schools. Build the border wall to protect our sovereignty and defund Sanctuary Cities.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
The inherent God-given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The right to a free, open and capitalistic society. The second amendment's right to bear arms to ensure against government oppression. The right to exercise freedom of religion, which prevents the government's control or diminishment of our God-given right to practice our religious beliefs, unimpeded.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am Catholic and believe strongly in Christian and moral values. I am active in my church, and involved in its many and important projects from the spiritual, to charitable, to financial. My family, including parents, siblings and son are all practicing Catholics and involved in our church community.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I have appeared on numerous cable and network television programs defending conservative values and policies, including the Fox News Channel as recently as a couple of weeks ago. I hosted a radio program for several years espousing conservative issues focused on law enforcement, immigration, national security and terrorism. I am on record as being pro life. In a previous campaign for a statewide office, was given an A rating from the NRA. My backround as a street cop, police chief, Pa's top drug prosecutor, federal organized crime prosecutor and senior official in two White Houses fighting drug trafficking, and terrorism speak to that issue of very conservative values and performance.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Repeal and replace Obama Care. Removing the mandates was a good start. Allowing cross state border insurance programs. Promote more competition among insurance providers. Better define healthcare plans so they are tailored to an individual's current life status. ie not imposing maternity costs in premiums for elderly women. Ensure better care for our Veterans...easier and more efficient access to healthcare, eliminate unreasonable wait times by allowing quicker out-of-system access to physicians. Aggessively deal with PTSD issues while the war fighter is deployed, instead of waiting until their return. Same with the issue of Veteran suicides...22 per day is a national disgrace. Increase healthcare assets for the at home families of deployed troops.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Make the tax cuts permanent. Stop deficit spending. Pass a balanced budget amendment. Cut oppressive regulations on small and large business, as well as farm families. Support President Trump's tariffs to eliminate trade imbalances and blatant unfairness (steel industry as an example) so long as they do not impede America's agricultural industry form exporting U.S. agricultural products. Expand energy development, with particular focus on Marcellus shale and other gas and oil exploration. America should be an exporter of energy, not a customer of other nations.
What changes should be made to the tax code?
Make the tax cuts permanent. Completely eliminate the death tax. Reduce individual and corporate taxes. Simplify the tax code and drastically eliminate the onerous and complicated IRS tax code and procedures. Make filings simpler.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Welfare to work programs. Eliminate excessive entitlement programs, which are a disincentive to gainful employment. Priority should be given to American, not foreign students, in our higher educational institutions. Increase manufacturing jobs, which will be a driver of employment and tax revenues. While a college education is important, an equal focus on education in the trades (welders, electricians, etc) will immediately boost employment. An emphasis should be placed on expanding training programs for skills required in the energy, transportation and other infrastructure sectors. Harnessing the talent in the digital and entrepreneurial sectors to keep our graduates working in the U.S. Lessen the tax and regulatory burdens on small businesses, which are the largest employers in our country.
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
Preserve full Social Security benefits for those in the system. They earned it, and you can't change the rules in mid-stream. Given greater longevity rates and economic factors, re-calculate rates and benefits going forward for new entrants into the system.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
All of the platitudes typically espoused by candidates and politicians really don't matter unless we are safe and secure in our lives, families and communities. As such, the issues acutely affecting our daily lives must be addressed immediately...the heroin-opioid crisis, home grown and international terrorism, school shooting, assassinations of our police officers, etc. I was built for this challenge, having been a street cop, police chief, PA's top drug prosecutor, a federal mafia prosecutor and senior official in two White Houses fighting drug and terrorism issues, who can immediately have impact in the Congress. Most congressman and congresswomen sit and wait through years of seniority before having impact and getting key positions, unless you have a skill-set which brings instant credibility and authenticity on critical issues. Having worked in the White House, I know how Congress works and doesn't, and will be ready on day one, bringing people together and cleaning the swam
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
joepetersforcongress@gmail.com 717-574-6674
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
After a major national mafia conviction, the Associated Press called me and my fellow prosecutors, the "Modern Day Untouchables." I have spent a career in public service relying upon my unflinching independence and integrity. I cant't be bought, can't be controlled and will always do the right thing. I will take that to the Congress.
