

Paul Graves
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Paul Graves
Party
Republican
Election Year
2016
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 5 - Pos. 2
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Duke University School of Law, Durham, NC, J.D., 2007
Duke University, Durham, NC, M.A., 2007
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, B.A., 2004
WORK & MILITARY
Perkins Coie LLP, Attorney, 7
Washington Supreme Court, Law Clerk, 1
AFFILIATIONS
Eastridge Church, Active member, King County Court-Appointed Special Advocate
Pro bono attorney of the year, Excel Public Charter School, Founding board member
STEP Ahead (college prep nonprofit), Board chair, Washington State Bar Association
Amicus curiae committee chair, King County Bar Association, Appellate section executive member
Rotary, Active member, Maple Valley Chamber of Commerce
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
National Federation Of Independent Businesses - the SAFE Trust
National Rifle Association
LIBERAL (1)
League of Education Voters - WA
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
League of Education Voters
Congressman Dave Reichert
Rep's Chad Magendanz, Jay Rodne, and others
Sen's Andy Hill, Joe Fain, Steve Litzow, and other
KC Council Kathy Lambert and Reagan Dunn
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Chad Magendanz
Drew Stokesbary
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Cyrus Habib
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
Agree
Election of judges by the people for a definite term of office is the best way to select judges.
Neutral
More restrictive gun control laws are needed to protect public safety.
Disagree
Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry into the country.
Agree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
Agree
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Neutral
Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self-interest into the most productive economic system there is.
Strongly Agree
There should be a strict constitutional spending limit for state and local governments that would tie the rate of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Agree
Marijuana should be legalized and regulated like tobacco and alcohol.
Agree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Agree
The founders established pure democracy in the Constitution because they believed that it is the best form of government to ensure the safety and equitable treatment of all citizens.
Disagree
Free-market competition for education dollars, rather than a government monopoly, would create a better education for all students.
Agree
Where minor children are involved, divorce laws should be reformed to include mutual consent of both parents and an increased waiting period, unless there is fault or abuse.
Neutral
The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings.
Neutral
Business owners should be required by law to bake cakes, provide flower arrangements, etc., for same-sex weddings, even when these activities would infringe on their sincerely-held religious beliefs.
Disagree
Our state should participate in the nationwide Common Core standards for high-school graduation.
No Answer
Physician-assisted suicide should be legal.
No Answer
The more people live by Judeo-Christian values, the less government is needed.
Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) does not pose a threat to the United States and its Constitution.
No Answer
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with public funds.
Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.
Disagree
Planned Parenthood should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
No Answer
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
I can't say it better than Federalist 51: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself."
Based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, please arrange the following entities, starting with the highest source of authority, and continue the list in descending order of authority, skipping any that do not apply: Academia, Congress, Constitution, God, Industry, Media, Professional Sports, Supreme Court, Voters.
God, Voters, Constitution, Congress. There are of course others listed in the Constitution (the President and Vice President, the Supreme Court), and the Constitution allows to flourish many other institutions listed here.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
In cases where the life and health of the mother are at risk, and for rape and incest.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a committed Christian and I value my relationship with God. I was blessed with strong Christian parents who taught me to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with [my] God," and to "look after orphans and widows in their distress." I try to live those values, maintaining an active pro bono practice where I represent foster kids in trials, being an active member at Eastridge Church, and committing myself to my community.
Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which of these best describes you?
Somewhat Conservative
Please defend your answer to the previous question by referencing your publicly available track record.
I have served as a Precinct Committee Officer for the 5th District Republican Party and have volunteered on campaigns for Dino Rossi, Rob McKenna, and Reagan Dunn. I have served on the board of one of the state's first charter schools. And I have an active pro bono practice representing foster kids in trials.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you.
info@paulgraveswa.com,206-818-5607
Additional comment from candidate:
I look forward to working for the people, families, and businesses in East King County
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