Wes Retherford
Republican | Ohio
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Wes Retherford
Party
Republican
Election Year
2018
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 51
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Talawanda High School, Oxford, HS Diploma, 2002
Marine Corps Institute, Washington DC, Leadership/MGT, 2004
U. of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Criminal Justice, N/A
WORK & MILITARY
US Marine Corps, LCPL, 2002-2004
United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Carpenter, 2004-2010
Webb Noonan Kidd Funeral Home, Mortician Assistant, 2009-Pres
State of Ohio, State Representative, 2013-Present
AFFILIATIONS
Marine Corps League, Member, D.A.V.
Member, NRA, Member
Middletown Pregnancy Crisis Center, Donor, AMVETS
Life Member, Buckeye Firearms Assoc, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Rep, 2013-Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2016
|90%, 92% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Cincinnati Right to Life PAC-Ohio
Ohio Value Voters
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Ohio Republican Party
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)
Jeff Rezabek
John Adams (OH)
John Boehner
Margaret Conditt
Timothy Derickson
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (15)
Associated Builders and Contractors
Candice Keller
George Lang
James Butler
Louis Terhar
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
International Union of Operating Engineers
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
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
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
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 health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
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
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
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
I support the death penalty.
Agree
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
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
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Only in the case of protecting the life of the mother.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely. I believe, this very statement, plus the history of man, shows that government, nor the men running it could be trusted. Our rights and ability to self govern are GOD given, so the Constitution and our government system is set up to protect and ensure those GOD given rights, and the only way that will work is through very limited and separated powers.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm an unworthy child of GOD. His son, Jesus gave the ultimate gift and sacrifice on the Cross to bear all of our sins. Through his death and resurrection we are given the ability to be whole and clean. This is only accomplished through his blood. No one is deserving, but his love overpowers our shortcomings.
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 voting record. A lifetime A rating from the ACU, NRA, Right to Life. Listed as one of top 5 Conservatives by Columbus Dispatch.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
By ensuring that all Americans, businesses, employees, students, have the freedom to pursue their passions, the freedom to make their own way in life, free of government intervention and regulation, can we provide the atmosphere for Business Growth. Business growth thru a free market is the only way to promote long term and sustainable job growth. I also want to note that in talking with business owners in my community, they are constantly hiring, but this heroin epidemic has made it hard to find employees. So we obviously need to continue to look at any solution to that issue as well.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
First thing I would do is override the Governors veto of the Health Care Compact and lobby congress to approve it. I would then override his veto of the Medicaid Expansion Freeze. We need to look at more free market solutions, allowing more cross state and border sales and plans. More freedom of access to different level of plans. Incentives for employers to provide health care plans. Allowing group purchasing for like businesses. Promoting Health Savings Accounts. Allow for purchase of catastrophic plans only. We also need to ensure that the Health Care Transparency act is actually enforced, something the Governor refuses to do.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Outside of VERY limited but necessary oversight, the best thing the government can do is get out of the way.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have held the office for 5 plus years now. Before that, as Marine Corps Veteran, I've been thrust into positions of leadership, which I carry with me today.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
wes@wesretherford.com 513-889-2889
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
No one is perfect and people do make mistakes. But I have always believed and was raised to believe that mistakes do not necessarily define a man, it is how they respond to that mistake. Despite my mistakes, I have been a tireless advocate for my district. I've stuck to my principles and voted their voice every time. I believe that I have the only legitimate conservative record in this race. I've also proved to be the only candidate that has a history and willingness to stand up to party leadership to vote for my constituents.
