J.D. Sheffield
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Moderate
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
J.D. Sheffield
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Republican Primary Runoff
Race
State Rep., Dist. 59 - Pos. [place]
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
University of North Texas Health Science Center, Denton TX, DO
Howard Payne University, Brownwood TX, BA
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Boys and Girls Club, Board member, Levita Volunteer Fire Department
Board member/volunteer, Coryell Medical Clinic, Medical Director
Family Medicine Clinic, Physician
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, Dist. 59, 7 years
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2019
73%
2019
70%
2019
65%, 55% (cum.)†
2019
53%
2019
49%, 49% (cum.)†
2019
40%
2019
39%
2019
|73%
2019
|70%
2019
|65%, 55% (cum.)†
2019
|53%
2019
|49%, 49% (cum.)†
2019
|40%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2019
56%, 51% (cum.)†
2019
D
2019
21%
2019
0%
2019
|56%, 51% (cum.)†
2019
|D
2019
|21%
2019
|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 (2)
*Texans for Life Coalition, Life PAC
*Texas Medical Association (TEXPAC)
LIBERAL (3)
*American Federation of Teachers AFT Texas
*Texas Parent PAC
*Texas State Teachers Association
OTHER (10)
*DeWayne Burns
Greg Abbott
*Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
*Texas Alliance for Life PAC (TAL)
*Texas Association of Business (TAB) BACPAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Gov. Greg Abbott
Texans for Lawsuit Reform
Associated Republicans of Texas
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (17)
Brian Birdwell (2012)
David Dewhurst (2012)
Doug Miller (2014)
Eva Guzman (2013)
Greg Abbott (2017)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (12)
Barry 'Kip' Averitt (2015)
Charlie Geren (2014)
Chris Paddie (2019)
Conservative Republicans of Texas (2013)
Dawn Buckingham (2015)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (12)
American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2020)
American Federation of Teachers (2020)
American Nurses Association (2015)
Association of Texas Professional Educators (2020)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2020)
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
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am a pro-life physician who believes that abortion is the taking of human life and should be only allowed in rare circumstances where the mother's own life is in immanent danger, the pregnancy is not viable outside of the womb, and rape and incest. As a physician, I have delivered babies and seen new life enter the world in my own hands. I am honored to have jointly authored one of Gov. Abbott's pro-life priorities and worked to remove state funds from Planned Parenthood.
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
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
We should reduce waste and inefficiencies in order to shift the balance of state funds to core priorities like public safety, border security, roads and infrastructure, and education. As a budget writer for three sessions, I worked to always draft a balanced budget. I also supported new laws to reduce budgeting gimmicks used to certify budgets that are not actually balanced. We should never spend more than we take in and continue to find ways to return more money to taxpayers.
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 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
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?
The First Amendment was intended to protect religion from the overreach of the state, and not the other way around. I supported laws such as the Pastor Protection Act, protecting the right to say Merry Christmas, and the "Save Chic Fil A" law because I believe our religious freedom must be protected now more than ever before.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Obamacare was a disaster. As a physician, I saw that first hand. It did not reduce but rather increased costs of health care, and it took away the freedom of patients to make their own healthcare decisions. I believe that we must empower individuals, protect the doctor-patient relationship, and reduce health care costs by expanding options and competition, and putting patients first. I am a rural family physician and one of the main reasons that inspired me to run for office was seeing so many of my patients struggle with healthcare and prescription drug costs. We can reduce costs to patients with smart policies that also protect our healthcare freedom, and keep a responsible and efficient safety net in place.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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
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
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Illegal immigration threatens our national security and the rule of law. America has always welcomed legal immigrants to our land to become Americans and pursue the American Dream. I have passed legislation to ban sanctuary cities and greatly increase security operations along the Texas-Mexico border, because I believe that immigration to America is an important part of our national story but only when it follows the law and respects the laws and traditions of our nation.
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
Promotion of the LGBT agenda in public schools, including teaching of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”, is completely inappropriate and should be opposed at the state and local level.
Strongly Agree
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian who is saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. I faithfully attend a local Christian church in Gatesville, Texas. I believe that God so loved the world, he sent his only son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins and open a way for us to have a personal relationship with our Creator.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I am a traditional conservative Republican. I believe that our nation's founding principles of freedom, liberty, and opportunity, paved the way for America to become the greatest nation in the world. It is critical that we protect our constitutional freedoms so that current and future generations of Americans can still live their American Dream. As an elected Republican, I worked hard to cut property taxes by $5 billion, enact a constitutional ban on a state income tax, pass the "open carry" of firearms into law, ban sanctuary cities in Texas, and provide $800 million in manpower and technology to secure the Texas border. I also helped pass the Pastor Protection Act and protected the right of students and teachers to say "Merry Christmas." We are doing good work but the job is not done.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a family practice physician, serving rural areas and small towns for my entire 20+ year medical career. Having grown up on a cotton farm, I feel a sense of calling to serving rural Texans. I still work full-time in medical clinics in our district while serving as our representative at the Capitol in Austin. I am in my seventh year representing our district at the Capitol. I am very proud of the work we have accomplished together, from tax and spending cuts, to border security, to supporting public schools and teachers, defending life and our 2nd Amendment, and solving the challenges that face rural communities. I am proud to be endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott for re-election.
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 am very passionate about serving the rural communities of my district. I am a full-time practicing family physician. To me, my work at the Capitol is another extension of my calling to serve others. That is why I refused to accept my state pension, because the job of a representative is about serving the community and not the other way around. I never have been one to chase headlines or play politics. I want to work hard, solve problems, and always deal honestly with others. I would be honored to continue my service and thank you for your consideration.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe that the Second Amendment is an essential American freedom and must be protected, especially today when it is under attack like never before. I believe in promoting responsible gun ownership, and voted to support "open carry" legislation and reducing LTC fees.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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) Rural issues: As a physician serving rural communities, I have worked to solve healthcare crises facing rural areas, like keeping rural hospitals from closing and recruiting doctors to rural areas. I am also working to expand Broadband Internet in rural communities and improve rural public schools to help our local economies grow more competitive. (2) Property tax cuts and conservative tax reform. (3) Defending traditional values and way of life.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
The law should be impartial when it comes to race. Threats to our national security and public safety should be dealt with swiftly and strictly. I am proud of our law enforcement and support their work in protecting our citizens and keeping the peace.
