Ron G. Estes
Republican | Kansas
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
Ron G. Estes
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 4
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Tennessee Tech Univ, Cookeville, TN, BS Civil Engineering, 1978
Tennessee Tech Univ, Cookeville, TN, MBA, 1983
WORK & MILITARY
Bombardier Learjet, Project Mgr/Six Sigma Agent, 2001-2005
Koch Oil/Koch Refined Products, Program Mgr, 1995-2000
AFFILIATIONS
Airport Authority, Board member, Kansans for Life
Supporter/Sponsor, National Rifle Assn, Member
Nat’l Young Republican, Asst Treasurer, Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
KS State Treasurer, 2011-2017
Sedgwick Co (KS) Treasurer, 2005-2011
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Precinct committteeman, 1996-present
KS GOP State Party vice-chair, 2009-2011
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2017-18
100%
2019-20
100%
2019
100%
2017-18
100%, 100% (cum.)†
2019
100%
2017-2018
100%
2019-20
100%
2020
A
2020
96%
2019-20
92%
2019
90%, 91% (cum.)†
2019-20
98%, 88% (cum.)†
2017-18
88%
2019
97%, 87% (cum.)†
2017-18
86%
2019
B+
2019
94%, 77% (cum.)†
2019-20
67%, 73% (cum.)†
2019
63% (cum.)†
2019
55% (cum.)†
2017-18
|100%
2019-20
|100%
2019
|100%
2017-18
|100%, 100% (cum.)†
2019
|100%
2017-2018
|100%
2019-20
|100%
2020
|96%
2019-20
|92%
2019
|90%, 91% (cum.)†
2019-20
|98%, 88% (cum.)†
2017-18
|88%
2019
|97%, 87% (cum.)†
2017-18
|86%
2019
|B+
2019
|94%, 77% (cum.)†
2019-20
|67%, 73% (cum.)†
2019
|63% (cum.)†
2019
|55% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2018
B
2017-18
25%
2019
25%
2019-20
21%
2019
20%, 11% (cum.)†
2017
0%, 0% (cum.)†
2017
0%
2017-18
0%
2017-18
0%
2017-18
0%
2017-18
0%
2018
0%, 0% (cum.)†
2019
0%
2017-18
0%
2018
0%
2019
0% (cum.)†
2019
0%
2019
F
2017-18
0%
2018
|B
2017-18
|25%
2019
|25%
2019-20
|21%
2019
|20%, 11% (cum.)†
2017
|0%, 0% (cum.)†
2017
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2018
|0%, 0% (cum.)†
2017-18
|0%
2018
|0%
2019
|0% (cum.)†
2019
|0%
2019
|F
2017-18
|0%
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (6)
Family Policy Alliance of Kansas
*Family Research Council Action PAC
Huck PAC
Kansans for Life PAC
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (3)
*Humane Society Legislative Fund
Kansas Farm Bureau
Kansas Livestock Association PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Kansans for Life
KS Farm Bureau
KS Livestock Assn
Wichita Regional Chamber
National Federation of Independent Businesses
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (14)
Ben Cline (2018)
Bradley Byrne (2019)
Bryan Steil (2018)
Chip Roy (2018)
Club for Growth (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (47)
Adam Kinzinger (2017)
Brett Guthrie (2017)
Citizens Against Government Waste (2018)
Club for Growth (2018)
CMR PAC (2017)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (7)
Airline Pilots Association (2019)
American Wind Energy Association (2017)
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (2020)
National Association of Letter Carriers (2019)
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (2018)
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?
I believe that life begins at conception and should be protected. We have a fundamental moral obligation to defend the unborn.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure 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
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
We must return to fiscal responsibility at the federal level. We also need to ensure that we honor the commitments made to our seniors while encouraging our younger people to make wise personal financial decisions and to make use of the many financial planning tools and savings instruments now available.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Government spending needs to be reduced across the board.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
Taxpayers should not be responsible for the debts that individuals have incurred voluntarily, except in those situations where our country has made a commitment to those who have served in military uniform.
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
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?
This phrase was taken from a piece of correspondence and is not used in the U.S. Constitution. The intent of the phrase was that the government refrain from establishing a particular Christian religion as a state church, as had been done in England. This phrase does not mean that religious institutions and values should have no place in our civil discourse. Our country was based on Judeo-Christian foundations, and those founding principles have guided this nation and our leaders throughout history. Congress rightfully added “under God” to our pledge in 1954, further solidifying the United States’ deep-rooted establishment in the Judeo-Christian faith.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Obamacare broke the health care system that was working for most people while trying to fix a problem that affected only a small percentage of health care consumers. We need to allow the free market and private sector to do what they do best by removing burdensome and expensive regulations, encouraging expansion of telehealth options, expanding affordable choices, and ensuring transparency and efficiency in the health care delivery system while providing a safety net for the most vulnerable.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
We must remain vigilant against terroristic threats by maintaining strong intelligence and military defense capabilities.
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
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
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
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Our country is a nation of immigrants. However, our current immigration system is broken. Individuals who attempt to apply legally have difficulty navigating and completing the process, while others cross our borders illegally and stay for years. We need a revised process that considers the security and free market needs of our country while allowing immigrants to complete the legal requirements of residency and citizenship in a timely, accountable manner.
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.
My Christian beliefs and values are based in and guided by God’s Word and are inextricably linked to who I am as a person, husband, father and public servant.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I have the highest 2019 and lifetime score from the American Conservative Union of the entire Kansas federal delegation (97% 2019 score/87.17% lifetime score). I have a 98% Heritage Action score, as well.
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?
I believe that my record of public service in the U.S. House of Representatives reflects my dedication to faith, family, religious and individual liberties, and the sanctity of life. I would appreciate your vote in November.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Second Amendment places no restrictions on the right of the people to keep and bear arms.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
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?
1. I will continue to support and sponsor legislation that protects the sanctity of life and religious and individual liberties, including the Second Amendment. 2. I will continue to support and sponsor legislation that encourages personal and fiscal responsibility as individuals and as a nation. 3. I will continue to support and sponsor legislation that equips our law enforcement officers and military personnel and honors our commitment to our veterans.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is antithetical to the concept of equality. The Declaration of Independence highlights the foundational truths upon which our country was founded: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” And, as Abraham Lincoln aptly noted: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
