

Mike Padden
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile*
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mike Padden
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 4
Incumbent
Yes
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
2019
D
2018
10%, 8% (cum.)†
2020
0%, 7% (cum.)†
2019
F
2019
|D
2018
|10%, 8% (cum.)†
2020
|0%, 7% (cum.)†
2019
|F
ENDORSEMENTS*
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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