Phil Stephenson
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
Phil Stephenson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 85
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Texas Tech, Lubbock, BBA Accounting, 1969
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Republican Party, Wharton Co., Precinct Chair, Boy's and Girl's Club of Wharton
First Methodist Church of Wharton
Babe Ruth Little League, Coach and Sponsor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Wharton Jr. College Vice Chair, 16
County Chair Wharton GOP, 5
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2017
100%
2019
100%
2019
90%
2019
80%
2019
68%, 70% (cum.)†
2019
57%
2019
54%, 54% (cum.)†
2019
46%
2019
|100%
2019
|90%
2019
|80%
2019
|68%, 70% (cum.)†
2019
|57%
2019
|54%, 54% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2019
60%, 44% (cum.)†
2019
39%
2019
F
2019
0%
2019
|60%, 44% (cum.)†
2019
|39%
2019
|F
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 (1)
Texas Right to Life
LIBERAL (1)
Texas State Teachers Association
OTHER (8)
Greg Abbott
*National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Texas
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
*Texas Alliance for Life PAC (TAL)
Texas Association of Business (TAB) BACPAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Bob Hebert (Former Fort Bend County Judge)
Mayor Joe Zimmerman of Sugar Land
Governor Greg Abbott
Texas State Teachers Association
Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (25)
Chuck Hopson (2012)
Dan Patrick (2012)
David Dewhurst (2013)
Donald Trump (2020)
Freedom for All Americans (2015)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (20)
Andrew Murr (2019)
Chris Paddie (2019)
Conservative Republicans of Texas (2012)
Dan Patrick (2018)
Dewayne Burns (2019)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
American Federation of Teachers (2018)
Association of Texas Professional Educators (2020)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2014)
National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
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
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 if the life of the mother is in imminent danger, or rape.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Only if the life of the mother is in imminent danger, or rape.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure 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
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The State of Texas has a constitutional obligation to produce a balanced budget each biennium. However, there are areas of the state budget that are growing that should be curtailed. I believe health and human services costs must be examined and the waste and fraud, which is well known, should be addressed and cut.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The State of Texas has a constitutional obligation to produce a balanced budget each biennium. However, there are areas of the state budget that are growing that should be curtailed. I believe health and human services costs must be examined and the waste and fraud, which is well known, should be addressed and cut.
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 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
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
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The state can not and should not interfere with the expression of faith under any circumstance.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The state can not and should not interfere with the expression of faith under any circumstance.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Eliminate Medicaid and Medicare for all but those who absolutely cannot work.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Eliminate Medicaid and Medicare for all but those who absolutely cannot work.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
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
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
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Agree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone, as long as they follow the proper legal channels, can show they have no criminal background, can speak some English, and have a marketable skill.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone, as long as they follow the proper legal channels, can show they have no criminal background, can speak some English, and have a marketable skill.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Promotion of the LGBT agenda in public schools, including teaching of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”, is completely inappropriate and should be opposed at the state and local level.
Strongly Agree
Promotion of the LGBT agenda in public schools, including teaching of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”, is completely inappropriate and should be opposed at the state and local level.
Strongly Agree
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Disagree
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian, and a life-long Methodist. I strongly believe that morality is a primary component of motivation. I do not believe that a representative republic can sustain itself without an individual concept of right and wrong. God is the cornerstone of civilization, and without which, the foundation will crumble. The cornerstone of faith, is the family unit.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian, and a life-long Methodist. I strongly believe that morality is a primary component of motivation. I do not believe that a representative republic can sustain itself without an individual concept of right and wrong. God is the cornerstone of civilization, and without which, the foundation will crumble. The cornerstone of faith, is the family unit.
ABOUT YOU
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
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.
Review my voting record over the past four sessions in the Texas House of Representatives (83rd Leg.- 86th Leg.).
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Review my voting record over the past four sessions in the Texas House of Representatives (83rd Leg.- 86th Leg.).
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Texas Tech University, 40+ years as a practicing CPA, Vice Chairman of Wharton Junior College Board of Trustees, and County Chair of Wharton County Republican Party.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Texas Tech University, 40+ years as a practicing CPA, Vice Chairman of Wharton Junior College Board of Trustees, and County Chair of Wharton County Republican Party.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No. Absolutely not.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No. Absolutely not.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a father, a grandfather, a husband, and my service to the state of Texas is to ensure that future Texans enjoy the blessings that I myself have had. And I really enjoy baseball.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a father, a grandfather, a husband, and my service to the state of Texas is to ensure that future Texans enjoy the blessings that I myself have had. And I really enjoy baseball.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. Mental Health laws must be examined, however. This is extremely complex and there is no full proof answer if truth be told.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. Mental Health laws must be examined, however. This is extremely complex and there is no full proof answer if truth be told.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Property Tax Reform (replacement of value tax with sales tax); broad comprehensive Teacher Retirement System (TRS) overhaul; abolish or significant scaling back of Central Appraisal Districts.
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Property Tax Reform (replacement of value tax with sales tax); broad comprehensive Teacher Retirement System (TRS) overhaul; abolish or significant scaling back of Central Appraisal Districts.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
To some degree, but the issue should be addressed broadly to encompass all demographics. I would add that the main culprit is the media and entertainment. They appear to have a vested interest in dividing people based on race.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
To some degree, but the issue should be addressed broadly to encompass all demographics. I would add that the main culprit is the media and entertainment. They appear to have a vested interest in dividing people based on race.
