Ben Leman
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ben Leman
Party
Republican
Election Year
2018
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 13
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Magnolia High School, Magnolia, TX, 1992
Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma, LA, Graduate, 1994
The University of Texas, Austin, TX, BBA, 1998
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Anderson, TX, Member, Grimes County Republican Party
State Delegate, Precinct Chair, Election Judge, Leadership Institute, Arlington, VA, Capitol Hill Staff Training and Writing School
Houston Young Republicans, Member 2000, College Republicans
Member 1995-1996, Knights of Columbus, Member
various campaigns state and national, volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Grimes County Judge, 2015-2017
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
National Rifle Association PVF
Texas Home School Coalition--Withdrawn
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Texas State Cattle Raisers Association
NRA - Highest Rating
Texas State Rifle Association - Highest Rating
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)
Charles Schwertner
Leighton Schubert
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations
Lois Kolkhorst
Rick Santorum
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (6)
John Wray
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations
National Rifle Association
Republican Women's Organizations
State Republican Party Organizations
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees
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?
The only situation I might be open to abortion is only in the event to save the life of the mother, but only in absolutely certain death situations.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
The only situation I might be open to abortion is only in the event to save the life of the mother, but only in absolutely certain death situations.
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
NATIONAL SECURITY
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
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
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
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Privatize it and let the free market work.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Privatize it and let the free market work.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure 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
The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Strongly Agree
The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Strongly Agree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Decrease regulation and lower taxes to create opportunity and incentive for businesses to invest and grow. This will in turn create jobs.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Reduce regulations, keep taxes low, and get out of the way. It should ensure we have adequate infrastructure that would accommodate a healthy economy (roads, etc.)
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Decrease regulation and lower taxes to create opportunity and incentive for businesses to invest and grow. This will in turn create jobs.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Reduce regulations, keep taxes low, and get out of the way. It should ensure we have adequate infrastructure that would accommodate a healthy economy (roads, etc.)
EDUCATION
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Strongly Agree
I support the death penalty.
Strongly Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Disagree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
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
ABOUT YOU
I support using a party caucus to nominate my party's candidate for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and I pledge to vote for my party's nominee.
Yes
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary
I support using a party caucus to nominate my party's candidate for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and I pledge to vote for my party's nominee.
Yes
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
My wife and I homeschool our children. I have voted in every election (and all Republican Primary elections) since I was 18 years old. I am now 42. Proven and Successful Business Owner, starting with nothing. My record as County Judge -- - proposed and passed a property tax cut 2 out of 3 years in office while continuing to reduce debt to an almost zero debt balance - avoided any tax rate increases despite having a nearly $600,000 decrease in revenue in one of those years - fought and defeated the proposed State Highway 249 toll road and successfully eliminated the toll in Grimes County - developed and implemented a citizen-driven strategic plan for the County so the Commissioners Court could build consensus and prioritize their needs as the growth occurred - developed and implemented an economic development plan for the County - developed and implemented a performance review based compensation structure for all county personnel to ensure employees are responsive to citizen
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
My wife and I homeschool our children. I have voted in every election (and all Republican Primary elections) since I was 18 years old. I am now 42. Proven and Successful Business Owner, starting with nothing. My record as County Judge -- - proposed and passed a property tax cut 2 out of 3 years in office while continuing to reduce debt to an almost zero debt balance - avoided any tax rate increases despite having a nearly $600,000 decrease in revenue in one of those years - fought and defeated the proposed State Highway 249 toll road and successfully eliminated the toll in Grimes County - developed and implemented a citizen-driven strategic plan for the County so the Commissioners Court could build consensus and prioritize their needs as the growth occurred - developed and implemented an economic development plan for the County - developed and implemented a performance review based compensation structure for all county personnel to ensure employees are responsive to citizen
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
University of Texas- BBA 1998 CEO/President of Merrimac Manufacturing for 16 years- started with brother in mother's garage with $2,500 each and grew it into a domestic manufacturing company with over 100 employees, 25 stocking locations around the world and a state of the art 70,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. County Judge, Grimes County 2015-2017 (sat on bench as well as presided over commissioners court) Rancher- have a significant cow/calf operation and understand rural Texas values Family Man- happily married for 14 years with 4 children
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
campaign@benleman.com 979-353-2515
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I have always been a conservative and will stick to my conservative values.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
University of Texas- BBA 1998 CEO/President of Merrimac Manufacturing for 16 years- started with brother in mother's garage with $2,500 each and grew it into a domestic manufacturing company with over 100 employees, 25 stocking locations around the world and a state of the art 70,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. County Judge, Grimes County 2015-2017 (sat on bench as well as presided over commissioners court) Rancher- have a significant cow/calf operation and understand rural Texas values Family Man- happily married for 14 years with 4 children
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
campaign@benleman.com 979-353-2515
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I have always been a conservative and will stick to my conservative values.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Strongly Disagree
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Strongly Disagree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Our Founder's witnessed firsthand the over-reach of Government. Their desire to break from an oppressive system, coupled with their desire to ensure religious freedom and the individual pursuit of happiness, created the ideal environment in which the Constitution was formed. The structure they proposed and implemented was done in an effort to never experience again the oppression from which they were escaping.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian. I believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I believe my mission in life as Christians is to spread God's word and bring people into Christianity. I am called to do this by living my life according to Christian principles and values. I also believe I am called upon to stand up for those values.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Our Founder's witnessed firsthand the over-reach of Government. Their desire to break from an oppressive system, coupled with their desire to ensure religious freedom and the individual pursuit of happiness, created the ideal environment in which the Constitution was formed. The structure they proposed and implemented was done in an effort to never experience again the oppression from which they were escaping.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian. I believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I believe my mission in life as Christians is to spread God's word and bring people into Christianity. I am called to do this by living my life according to Christian principles and values. I also believe I am called upon to stand up for those values.
