Vanessa Enoch
Democrat | Ohio
Candidate Profile*
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Vanessa Enoch
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 8
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, Ph.D. Public Policy & Social Change, 2017
Xavier University, Cincinnati, MBA-Management Information Science, 1999
The Ohio State University, Columbus, BA-Criminal Justice, 1992
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
National Black MBA Association, Member/ Past Cincinnati Chapter President National, American Society for Public Administrators
Member, American Political Science Association, Member
The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, Board Member, Cincinnati Rotary Club
Member, YMCA, Board Member
Vision Works, Inc., Board President, Black Greeks Speak—Social Justice Organization
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS*
LIBERAL (3)
Cincinnati Women's Political Caucus-OH
National Women's Political Caucus
*The National Solidarity Movement
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Power In Action – AFSCME – Council 8
#VOTEPROCHOICE
National Women’s Political Caucus
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7
Dayton-Miami Valley AFL-CIO Regional Labor Council
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
ActBlue (2018)
It Starts Today (2018)
Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (2018)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (11)
ActBlue (2018)
America Works PAC (2018)
Cecil Thomas (2018)
Cory Booker (2018)
Cory PAC (2018)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Disagree
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.
No Answer
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe that should be a private decision between a woman and her physician.
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.
No Answer
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?
It means that I don't impose my religion on others. It means that our government is equally responsible to all citizens regardless of ones religious persuasion.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
The United States should ensure that our country is protected against all threats, foreign and domestic. The US should respond or act to help eradicated the threat on a case by case basis.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Agree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Neutral
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I believe that in these times that we now find ourselves, it is important that we ensure that everyone has access to healthcare coverage. I support Medicare for all. I believe that those who can afford to have private insurance and have no need for Medicare, they should be allowed to keep their benefits.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Agree
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?
I would end Mass Incarceration and imprisonment for non-violent offenders and provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and those who have been in this country for years. These two options will ensure that everyone is paying into the tax system, and it will inevitably increase the number of people paying into our Social Security system.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would reduce the budget in accordance to the needs of our country. The global pandemic has shifted what is important in terms of our spending. I will weigh needs against any potential the cuts.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
When someone becomes educated, it contributes to the wellbeing of society, and increases national productivity. Taxpayers should help pay off existing student loans, so that citizens who have become educated can be relieved of the burdensome debt, caused by the rising cost of education. This will help offset the problem that people have of not having cash to invest in growing our economy.
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 Disagree
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 Disagree
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe that immigration should be open to relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens; employment-based needs; refugees and asylum seekers, and others on a case by case basis.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Agree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
As guaranteed by the second amendment, responsible citizens have the right to own and use firearms. Mass shootings at social events, churches, stores and schools have shown us the hazards that come when war weapons are available to the public. I believe there is no good reason for civilians to own war weapons. We need sensible gun laws that protect the public and keep weapons out of the hands of people who may cause harm to themselves or others.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
No Answer
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Agree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Agree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1) economic opportunity (a livable wage, equal pay for equal work, good paying jobs, and prioritizing saving our nations retirement security-our social security program); 2) Affordable health care- I am advocating for Medicare for all, for everyone who wants and needs healthcare. 3) The third priority will be the improvement of human rights (ending mass incarceration, police reform, and racial equity).
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes, it is. Our nation is seeing the rise in racial civil unrest unlike any time since the Civil War. These racial clashes should give us all concern about our domestic security.
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?
No Answer
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
As a single mom, business owner, and the sole support for my family, after the death of my husband, I have learned to make good fiscal decisions. As it relates to social matters, I tend to advance progressive ideas and believe that racism, sexism, fascism, and other forms of authoritarianism are wrong. I believe that it benefits society as a whole to have a healthy and well-educated populace. As far as your spectrum goes, I am not sure I fit neatly into any of the listed categories.
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 running because I care about my community, I want to build bridges and not barriers, and because I believe our Democracy is worth fighting for. I am not new to this fight! I have been on the frontlines fighting for worker’s rights, veterans rights, against mass incarceration and that school-to-prison pipeline. Last year, I opened two trauma centers in Cincinnati to help low income children cope with PTSD as a result of living in high crime impoverished communities. I have taken on the status quo, and the establishment on many occasions, and I am poised to fight for the things that are important to voters in our district, such as higher paying jobs, affordable housing, lower lower taxes, Medicare for all, protecting the rights of seniors, workers rights, women’s reproductive rights, and ensuring that insurance companies cover maternity care.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
No Answer
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a devout Christian, and a leader in my church. My personal values are founded on my Judeo-Christian beliefs. My public values are rooted in the I belief that all people have a right to be treated humanely, and that our government must serve all people, regardless of ones religious beliefs. As God has given all of us the right to self-determination, I believe that it is not the job of the church to impose our religious beliefs on others.
