Jeff Leach
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
Jeff Leach
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 67
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas, JD, 2009
Baylor University, Waco, BA, 2005
WORK & MILITARY
Gray Reed & McGraw, LLP, Counsel, 9
AFFILIATIONS
Texas House of Representatives, Representative, District 67, Golden Corridor Republican Women's Club
Associate Member, Texas House Republican Caucus, Member
Texas Conservative Coalition, Board Member, Texas Republican Party
Houston Baptist University, Board of Trustees
PTA, Lifetime Member, Prestonwood Pregnancy Center
Board Member, Texas Judicial Council, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 2013-
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2020-21
100%
2021
99%
2021
97%
2021
82%, 91% (cum.)†
2019
69%, 82% (cum.)†
2021
82%
2019
78%
2021
69%
2021
70%, 68% (cum.)†
2020-21
|100%
2021
|99%
2021
|97%
2021
|82%, 91% (cum.)†
2019
|69%, 82% (cum.)†
2021
|82%
2019
|78%
2021
|70%, 68% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2019
60%, 33% (cum.)†
2021
16%
2019
F
2019
0%
2019
0%
2019
|60%, 33% (cum.)†
2021
|16%
2019
|F
2019
|0%
2019
|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 (4)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
*Texas Home School Coalition
Texas Right to Life
Texas Values Action
OTHER (1)
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Texas
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Texas Values
Texas Right to Life
National Rifle Association
NFIB - The Voice of Small Business
Texas Municipal Police Association
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (34)
Angela Paxton (2018)
Angie Chen Button (2017)
Bryan Hughes (2015)
Charles Lee Perry (2014)
Charlie Geren (2017)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (56)
American Majority Action (2012)
August Pfluger (2020)
Bryan Hughes (2020)
Candy Noble (2016)
Capital Leadership Fund (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Alma Allen (2016)
Carlos Uresti (2016)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2016)
Texas Trial Lawyers Association (2014)
Texas Values in Action Coalition (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2020)
Craig Eiland (2020)
David Trone (2013)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2020)
Texas Trial Lawyers Association (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
Rice University Liberal-Conservative Vote Ranking (34th from the top on the Conservative side)
The candidate is ranked in this Rice University analysis of 2021 Texas State House members.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
When it comes to protecting the right to life and fighting against the scourge of abortion, Texas is leading the way. I am proud to have been on the front lines in that all-important fight from the first moment I was sworn in to office. As a Joint Author of the Texas Heartbeat Bill, the lead author of the Texas Born Alive Infant Protection Act, and a lead legislator on many other pro-life victories, my record on this is clear. That’s why I’ve been endorsed by all the leading pro-life leaders and organizations - including Texas Right to Life and Texas Alliance for Life. We must not just work to make abortion illegal - we must work to make it unthinkable. For as long as I am blessed to hold public office, I will not waver or falter in my commitment to protecting innocent life, from the womb to the tomb.
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.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
As the lead author of the Constitutional Amendment to ban a state income tax in Texas in 2019, and a supporter and co-author of many other important measured to reduce the tax burden of Texas - namely, property taxes - I am proud of my efforts to protect the paychecks and pocketbooks of hardworking Texans. As our state continues to grow, we should ensure we are doing everything possible to be faithful stewards of taxpayer funds - reducing government spending where we can, cutting taxes, eliminating waste, fraud and abuse and ensuring that Texans - who know far better how to spend and save and steward their funds than politicians do - are protected.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Every single session we must continue to be laser-focused on our state budget to ensure taxpayer dollars are being faithfully stewarded and wisely spent. There is no area of our state budget that ever is or should be off the table when it comes to eliminating wasteful spending. There are important areas - like education, healthcare, infrastructure, public safety, judiciary - that we should spend money on. But even those areas - those good investments - must be looked at, examined and re-examined every single session.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Through college? No.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
In 2021, I was proud to be the lead author - along with my friend Senator Kelly Hancock - of the Constitutional Amendment to ensure no church or house of worship is ever closed by government or edict. The Constitutional Amendment soared through both the House and Senate and was overwhelmingly approved by Texas voters in a statewide referendum last November. To be clear, our fundamental freedoms to worship, to assemble and to practice our religion must never be trampled on our trounced or trifled with by any governmental entity. And I am confident with the passage of this Constitutional Amendment that it never will be.
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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of the Texas healthcare system. As a legislator, it is my responsibility to turn these lessons into reforms. While healthcare and prescription drug costs continue to skyrocket, we must work collaboratively to find a “Texas Solution” that expands coverage to vulnerable Texans currently without health insurance, safeguards protections for pre-existing conditions and protects the doctor-patient relationship. This includes, among other things, partnering with our healthcare providers and institutions, promoting telemedicine and other innovative healthcare options, cracking down on waste, and working with our counterparts at the federal level to unleash the power of the free-market by encouraging competition and choice across state lines.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Never.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
I was proud to be the lead author on important legislation - known as “American Law for American Courts” - that ensures that no foreign law which contradicts or conflicts with American Constitutional principles ever finds its way in to a Texas Court. I have also supported and worked for the passage of important legislation to ensure our law enforcement has the tools and resources it needs to prosecute and crack down on violent crime - and on those who would threaten to commit violent crime. We must ensure these laws are followed and enforced and be ever-vigilant on protecting the rights of all Texans - know matter what God they choose to worship - while eradicating threats of violence or terror at every turn.
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 seek to come to the US lawfully- who follow our laws and rules - should be protected. Those who seek to enter our country illegally must be cracked down on. We are a nation of borders and a nation of laws - and enforcing both is not hateful or ignorant ... it’s compassionate and just.
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.
Strongly 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.
The powerful and true words of John Newton come to mind when I think of my spiritual beliefs and values: “I am a great sinner - and Christ is a great savior.” Jesus First. Jesus Always. His word is a lamp unto my feet. His love endures forever.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
We had a great session - and subsequent special sessions - when it comes to strengthening the integrity of our elections in Texas. I am proud of the work we did — and believe strongly that we have made it easier to vote and harder to cheat in Texas. Which is just the way it should be.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism, hatred, bigotry, prejudice and discrimination based on the color of anyone’s skin is wrong, is sinful and it must be called out as such and eradicated in every form.
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 We can be faithful stewards of God’s creation. And we should be. But harsh environmental laws and regulations - like the extreme New Green Deal - are harmful and must be worked against. We have done a very good job in Texas of exploring and developing energy resources and protecting our environment. And we’ve done so with a reduced and predictable regulatory environment - based on stewardship and free markets - not the heavy hand of government. We must protect this and continue our fight against the radical, progressive environmentalists who are seeking to change the very face of the American economy and the concept of capitalism.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
Drill baby drill!
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Protect the rights and liberties of the people. Enforce the rule of law. Ensure the security of the people from threats, foreign and domestic. At the end of the day, our job description is clearly defined in the Constitution. That job description is limited... and is not all-powerful. It’s high-time we get back to our founding principles, protecting “We The People” and ensuring opportunity for every American.
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).
Google “Jeff Leach”... and look back through my record, my votes, news reports on my work, etc. — and you’ll have no doubt where I stand.
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 believe the best days for Texas - for America - lie ahead of us, not behind us. I’m committed to fighting every single day for freedom, for justice, for life and liberty, for the rule of law and for you, my constituents. I am proud of the work we’ve done - and celebrate, along with you, our many accomplishments together to achieve these ends. And I am more committed than ever to continuing that work in the days, weeks and years ahead.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
Support our great police officers... and work with them, not against them, to crack down on officers that go outside of the bounds of departmental policy or accepted practices.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. My record on protecting the Second Amendment - securing the rights of the people to protect themselves and their families - is strong and it’s clear. That’s why I am proud to be actively supported and endorsed by the National Rifle Association.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
