Craig Goldman
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Craig Goldman
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Republican Runoff
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 12
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Texas, Austin, Liberal Arts, 1991
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Texas House Republican Caucus, Chair
Tarrant County College Foundation, Founding Board
Women’s Center of Fort Worth, Board
Cowtown Executive Association, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Texas State Representative, 2013 - present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
none
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (5)
Rick Perry; *Texas Home School Coalition (THSC); Susan B. Anthony List; Greg Abbott; GOPAC Election Fund
OTHER (1)
Texas Alliance for Life PAC (TAL)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Governor Abbott; State Senator Phil King; State Senator Kelly Hancock; State Senator Drew Springer; State Senator Brian Birdwell
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (37)
Republican Women's Organizations (2023); Glenn Rogers (2022); Lacey Hull (2022); State Republican Party Organizations (2022); Stephanie Klick (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (84)
Common Sense Common Solutions PAC (2024); GOPAC (2024); Kenny Marchant (2024); National Rifle Association (2024); Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association State PAC (2024)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (11)
American Association for Justice (2023); Texas Trial Lawyers Association (2023); American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2022); Service Employees International Union (2022); Texas Sands (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
The 2023 TX House according to Rice University analysis.
The candidate is ranked in this Rice University analysis of 2021 Texas State House members.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
As State Representative, I have voted to defund abortion providers. Instead, we have funded alternatives to abortion in order to support those mothers who choose life.
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
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
The Texas Heartbeat bill, which I supported, stated that if a heartbeat was detected then an abortion could not occur. As a result of this bill, at least 35,000 lives have been protected.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
I would support a Heartbeat bill at the federal level. Human life is worth protecting, and that has been my consistent record in the Texas House.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The founders intended for Americans to be able to practice their faith and religion free from government interference. Religious liberty is a cornerstone of American life and must be protected.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny.
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?
Israel is the homeland for the Jewish people and the only remaining democracy in the Middle East. Israel’s enemies are dangerous and relentless, as shown by the recent slaughter of Israelis (and Americans) at the hands of Hamas. Israel must be able to defend herself and dismantle Hamas. The U.S. must stand by Israel, and the 12th Congressional District plays an important role in this effort: the F-35, used by the Israeli Air Force, is manufactured here in the heart of the district.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
I grew up under President Ronald Reagan, who restored pride in our country. Our military was rebuilt and rejuvenated, which led to a sense of pride in wearing the uniform. Today, under President Biden, too often we see our military straying from its core mission of serving and defending our country and instead now seems to spend too much time worrying about wokeism and being responsive to the latest cultural fads.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None. I have supported the strong measures passed by the Texas Legislature to protect individuals from being forced to have vaccinations or risk losing their job.
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.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
Americans are overtaxed. I will support any efforts to return more of their hard-earned money back to them. As State Representative, I helped pass a ban on a state income tax or wealth tax. I filed a bill to eliminate the Texas franchise tax.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
Student loan forgiveness was an absolute disgrace, forcing taxpayers to pick up the bill for an expense they did not incur. President Biden has sent a terrible message about personal responsibility, as others will take out student loans with the expectation they won’t have to pay them back.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
The ESG movement is concerning, as it seeks to inject a liberal political agenda – often targeting the energy industry - into decisions best left to the marketplace and investors. The Biden Administration's efforts to force ESG upon America’s investment funds would threaten millions of energy jobs, including many here in Texas. In the Texas House, I have voted to oppose ESG policies and will do so in Congress.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Under Joe Biden, the federal government has failed Texas by failing to secure the border. As a result, Texas has been forced to spend billions on border security in order to combat a flood of illegals, drug cartels, and human trafficking. I voted for the toughest border security laws of any state, including the ability to arrest and deport illegals. As a member of Congress, I will work to force Washington to uphold their duty of securing the border.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigration is a privilege that should be reserved for those who come here legally and respect our processes and our laws. Illegal immigration makes a mockery of those who follow the law. Rampant, unchecked illegal immigration is an unstainable burden to American taxpayers who must fund all of the increased costs associated with a porous border: additional law enforcement, health care, and education, not to mention the heartbreak from families subjected to the influx of deadly fentanyl.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I have consistently voted to support school choice in the Texas House.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
By abolishing the Department of Education, those funds can be returned to the states for funding educational opportunities where it really matters.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I authored and passed the legislation which prohibits any city in Texas from defunding their police department.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
NONE. I am proud to have voted to expand Second Amendment freedoms during my service as a State Representative. For example, I voted to make Constitutional Carry the law in Texas. As a member of Congress, I will continue to protect those freedoms.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
Court packing was wrong when it was attempted in the last century by President Roosevelt, and it is wrong today.
ABOUT YOU
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
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To secure and protect our liberties and our freedoms. At the federal level, to defend our nation from enemies and keep us secure. That includes defending our borders, which the current administration has failed to do and as a result has placed our nation at risk.
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
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Agree
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
As a person of Jewish faith, I have faith in God and believe in a Supreme Being who provides guidance and direction. These are the values that were instilled in me and have guided me since birth. I respect that our nation was built on a foundation of Judeo-Christian principles.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the strict voter ID laws we have implemented here in Texas. To protect the integrity of our elections, we must be able to confirm that someone is who they say they are.
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
Our founding fathers had it right.
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
CRT is a divisive and corrosive philosophy which divides our people based on race, and that is why I have voted to ban CRT in Texas schools.
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
In 2021, I voted to protect girls sports at the high school level. In the most recent session, I voted to support the Save Women’s Sports Act, legislation which protects the integrity of fair competition and women's sports at the collegiate level. These bills ensure that women and girls will be able to safely and fairly compete in athletics.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
The climate change agenda is often used to target the energy industry here in Texas. As a member of the Texas House, I have worked to oppose these harmful efforts. As a member of Congress, I will continue to oppose the radical environmentalists who seek to undermine our energy supply and destroy the Texas economy in the process.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Texas thermal energy, including oil and natural gas, is the most reliable source of energy and most readily available during weather extremes.
