Mike Padden

Republican | Washington

Candidate Profile*

Verified Conservative

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Mike Padden


Party

Republican


Election Year

2020


Election

Primary


Race

State Senator, Dist. 4


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Mike Padden websitesMike Padden phones
Mike Padden email
Facebook

EDUCATION

Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, BA, 1971

Gonzaga School of Law, Spokane, WA, JD, 1974

WORK & MILITARY

US Army Reserves, E-5, 6

AFFILIATIONS

American Legion Post 241, member, Washington American Legion Baseball

Commissioner, Greater Spokane Meals on Wheels, Volunteer

Knights of Columbus, member, Parents for Safe Schools

volunteer, contributor, Family Policy institute of Washington, contributor

Food for the Poor, contributor, Shared Hope International

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

State Representative, 14

District Court Judge and State Senator, 12, 9

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

Race

Previous Races

SCORECARDS

CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS

2019

92%, 91% (cum.)


2017

87%, 89% (cum.)

2019

|

92%, 91% (cum.)


2017

|

87%, 89% (cum.)



LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
LIBERAL (1)

*Associated Builders & Contractors, Inland Pacific

OTHER (2)

*Spokane Association of REALTORS

*Washington State Farm Bureau PAC

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)

County Treasurer Michael and Elinor Baumgartner

Valley Councilman Arne and Charmagne Woodard

Senator Jeff Holy

Valley Councilwoman Pam Haley

Valley Councilman Rod Higgins

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (20)

Bob McCaslin, Jr. (2016)

Cathy McMorris Rodgers (2013)

Hans Zeiger (2016)

Jan Angel (2013)

Jeff Holy (2018)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (7)

Bob McCaslin, Jr. (2011)

Gun Owners Action - Florida (2016)

Gun Owners Action League of Washington (2012)

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2016)

National Rifle Association (2016)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)

International Brotherhood of Teamsters (2016)

Retired Firefighters of Washington (2012)

Service Employees International Union (2012)

Washington State Association for Justice (2016)

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

I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.

Strongly Agree

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

Only if necessary to save the life of the mother, but I believe that in almost all cases the mother and baby can both be saved.


ECONOMY

It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.

Disagree

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?

Waste, fraud and abuse. Money going to Planned Parenthood. We need to prioritize between wants and needs.


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

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?

It means that we should not have an established state church which citizens are required to join.


HEALTHCARE

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

Disagree

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

Yes via tax incentives, health saving accounts and voluntary religious based health care associations. We need to reduce regulatory burdens on the practice of medicine. There also is a limited role that state government can play.


NATIONAL SECURITY

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

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.

Strongly Agree

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

This is an issue for Congress. I support legal immigration and do not support illegal immigration.


EDUCATION

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

I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I believe in the Apostles Creed and am an active member of the Catholic faith.


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

Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.

Ratings by the American Conservative Union, NFIB, AWB and other organizations.

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

My record as a State Representative, Spokane County District Court Judge and State Senator.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.

No

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

It has been an honor and blessing to serve the voters of the 4th Legislative District. Thank You.


JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY

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


2ND AMENDMENT

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?

Yes

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

I do not support any further restrictions on gun ownership and do support removing current excessive restrictions on due process rights of gun owners.


OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.

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?

Voters can see what bills I have sponsored since I entered the senate in 2011. They include pro life legislation, laws strengthening our DUI laws, laws against Human Trafficking, and promoting the use of body cameras for law enforcement. I have successfully sponsored legislation helping the Union Gospel Mission ability to distribute eye glasses to the poor, avoid discrimination against the disabled in organ transplants as well as retain foster parents and assist parents of minor crime victims.

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

Every individual has unique value as a creature of God's creation. I oppose discrimination based on race and believe those laws should be enforced. Protests are rights we have under our constitution as citizens. There is no right to violence. Some individuals, organizations and foreign groups have hijacked legitimate protests to inflict random and destructive violence against law enforcement, other citizens and businesses. Some of these groups are terrorist organizations.

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