Chris Gildon
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Chris Gildon
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 25
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
National Defense University, Washington DC, MA, 2012
Webster University, St Louis, MPA, 2004
University of Texas, Odessa, BA, 1996
WORK & MILITARY
US Army, MAJOR, 23
AFFILIATIONS
Rotary, Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Member, Council of State Governments-W, Economic Development Committee
Washington State Institute for Public Policy, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 2
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2019
|84%, 84% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2020
25%, 25% (cum.)†
2019
D
2019
F
2020
|25%, 25% (cum.)†
2019
|D
2019
|F
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 Freedom Coalition of Washington
Family Policy Institute of Washington Action
Human Life of Washington PAC
Kim Wyman
National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Washington
OTHER (4)
Associated Builders and Contractors Western Washington
Associated General Contractors of Washington Build PAC
Hans Zeiger
Mainstream Republicans of Washington
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Kim Wyman
Bruce Dammeier
Hans Zeiger
Sam Reed
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Hans Zeiger (2020)
Joyce McDonald (2016)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
National Right to Life Committee (2018)
State Republican Party Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Andrew Barkis (2018)
Bruce Dammeier (2018)
Hans Zeiger (2018)
Joyce McDonald (2018)
Mike Padden (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
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.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Perplexing question that most pro-life individuals struggle with. Some say it is acceptable in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Others disagree. Personally, I have mixed feelings and would always err on the side of life.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
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?
This year, given the economic fallout of COVID-19, I believe everything is on the table in Washington State. As of the writing of this (May 2020), we are expecting about a $7 billion shortfall. We will undoubtedly have some very difficult decisions to make.
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.
Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
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?
It means we will not have a state-sponsored religion and that the state cannot place limitations or mandates concerning your ability to freely exercise the religion of your choice.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
By allowing competition in the marketplace combined with transparency of pricing.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
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.
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.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We are a nation of laws. As such, we must obey the laws. No matter how poor our immigration laws may currently be, they are still the law of the land. Should we as a society determine we need to make a change, the proper course is to first change the law- not disregard it via policies such as sanctuary cities.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe the bible is the inspired word of God and that we can always look to it for timeless guidance on any number of topics including proper governance.
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.
My voting record is public record. You can also quickly see all the bills I've written or sponsored at this link https://chrisgildon.houserepublicans.wa.gov/
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
23 years of increasing levels of leadership as an Army Officer, 1x BA, 2x MA degrees, two years as an elected State Representative, husband to Autumn for 27 years, and father of two children.
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?
The 25th District has a history of great leaders in the Senate who established a legacy as calm voices of reason. With your support, I will carry on that tradition.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
After the voter guide was published, candidate notified iVoterGuide that the intended answer to this survey question should have been “Strongly Disagree”.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No Answer
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I think we have too many as is.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
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. Affordability of childcare, housing, college, and prescription medication. 2. Accountability of elected prosecutors. We currently have no way to measure their performance and many are not prosecuting crime according to the law. 3. Regulatory reduction.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I don't think we can deny racism still exists. The question is to what scale. I do feel those who perpetuate ideals of racism for personal or political gain only hurt our collective efforts to completely end it.
