Ron 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 Estes
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
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, Former Board member, Kansans for Life
Supporter/Sponsor, National Rifle Assn, Member
Nat’l Young Republican, Former Asst Treasurer, Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Member, Kansas Republican Party, Precinct Committeeman, Exec Committee Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
KS State Treasurer, 2011-2017
Sedgwick Co (KS) Treasurer, 2005-2011
US Congressman (KS-04), 2017-present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Precinct committteeman, 1996-present
KS GOP State Party vice-chair, 2009-2011
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2021-2022
100%
2017-18
100%
2019-20
100%
2021
100%
2017-18
100%, 100% (cum.)â€
2022
A+
2021-2022
100%
2021-2022
100%
2021
A+
2021
96%
2021
95%
2021
92%, 89% (cum.)â€
2020-21
95%, 89% (cum.)â€
2017-18
88%
2017-18
86%
2021
85%
2022
77%, 76% (cum.)â€
2021
69% (cum.)â€
2021
85%, 64% (cum.)â€
2021-2022
|100%
2017-18
|100%
2019-20
|100%
2021
|100%
2017-18
|100%, 100% (cum.)â€
2022
|A+
2021-2022
|100%
2021-2022
|100%
2021
|A+
2021
|96%
2021
|95%
2021
|92%, 89% (cum.)â€
2020-21
|95%, 89% (cum.)â€
2017-18
|88%
2017-18
|86%
2021
|85%
2022
|77%, 76% (cum.)â€
2021
|69% (cum.)â€
2021
|85%, 64% (cum.)â€
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2018
B
2017-18
25%
2019-2021
11%, 17% (cum.)â€
2021
0%, 14% (cum.)â€
2021
13%
2021
0%, 8% (cum.)â€
2020
5%
2021
4%, 4% (cum.)â€
2017
0%, 0% (cum.)â€
2021-2022
0%
2017-18
0%
2019-2020
0%
2017-18
0%
2021
0%
2021-2022
F
2022
F
2021
0%
2022
F
2021
F
2019-20
0%
2018
|B
2017-18
|25%
2019-2021
|11%, 17% (cum.)â€
2021
|0%, 14% (cum.)â€
2021
|13%
2021
|0%, 8% (cum.)â€
2020
|5%
2021
|4%, 4% (cum.)â€
2017
|0%, 0% (cum.)â€
2021-2022
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2019-2020
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2021-2022
|F
2021
|0%
2022
|F
2021
|F
2019-20
|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 (9)
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
*Huck PAC
*National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Federal PAC
Kansans for Life PAC
*National Right To Life
OTHER (3)
Kansas Livestock Association PAC
Kansas Farm Bureau
*Wichita Regional Chamber PAC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (78)
Alek Skarlatos (2022)
Alex Mooney (2022)
Amanda L. Adkins (2021)
Andrew Harris (2022)
Andrew R. Garbarino (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (73)
Abraham Lincoln PAC (2022)
Adam Kinzinger (2017)
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (2022)
Bill Clifford (2020)
Black Hills Corporation (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
National Association of Letter Carriers (2019)
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (2018)
Renewable Energy Group (2019)
Sheet Metal Workers International Association (2017)
OTHER INFORMATION
On 19 Jul 2022, this candidate voted against HR 8404. This vote indicates the candidate holds a position that supports traditional marriage.
For more info:
FRC's statement on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/100064468103171/posts/419305093561757/
Daily Signal (Heritage Foundation) article:
https://www.dailysignal.com/2022/07/20/47-republicans-who-voted-to-legalize-same-sex-marriage/
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
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
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Congress should make permanent most of the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 including keeping taxes low for middle class families. Specifically, immediate expensing of Research and Development expenditures should be made permanent.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
Government should refrain from establishing a state church or religion. However, our country was based on Judeo-Christian foundations and those founding principles have guided this nation, our founding documents, and our leaders throughout history. Congress rightfully added "under God" to our pledge in 1954 further affirming the United States' deep-rooted foundations of faith. The church's autonomy is established by God and defined by Scripture. The government's power is only by the consent of the governed.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
The individual states and military branches have had an established precedent of requiring vaccinations in certain situations. However, no entity should be able to mandate experimental vaccinations and there should always be options for religious and moral exemptions.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
B & C are both true.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
A strong, well-trained and well-equipped US military is the best deterrent against all forms of terrorism. We must remain vigilant in the defense of liberty.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
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 are allowed to cross our borders illegally and unhindered and are then released with no accountability into the country. We need a revised process that prioritizes the safety and security needs of our country while allowing immigrants to complete the legal requirements of residency and citizenship with a timely, accountable process.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
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.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
President Biden's executive order directing federal agencies to participate in voter registration activities with taxpayer dollars is clearly unconstitutional. The respective states are constitutionally authorized to conduct elections and the last thing America needs is elections run by the federal government.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
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."
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
I have a 95% rating from Heritage Action, 92% rating from American Conservative Union, recipient of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget "Fix the Debt" Fiscal Hero Award, endorsed by Kansans for Life
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
NO
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I believe that my record of public service in the US House reflects my dedication to faith, family, religious and individual liberties and the sanctity of life. I will continue to support and sponsor legislation that protect the sanctity of life, religious and individual liberties, including the Second Amendment. I will continue to support and sponsor legislation that encourages personal and fiscal responsibility as individuals and as a nation. I will continue to support and sponsor legislation that equips our law enforcement officers and military personnel and honors our commitment to our veterans.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
Police departments should be fully funded, trained and equipped to provide public safety. Communities are experiencing an increase in crime related to drug abuse, addiction, and mental illness; these increases have been burdening law enforcement agencies and local and county jails. Funds need to be provided to address these challenges, but they should not be carved out of law enforcement budgets.
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.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
