Chad Caldwell
Republican | Oklahoma
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
Chad Caldwell
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 40
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
University of Oklahoma, Norman, BBA, 1997
WORK & MILITARY
Hospice Circle of Love, Executive Director, 2009-present
MassMutual, Agent, 2005-2009
Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation, Director of Marketing, 1999-2005
University of Oklahoma Athletic Department, Various, 1994-1999
AFFILIATIONS
Enid Rotary Club, President, Enid Chamber of Commerce
Board, Federal Economic Development Chair, Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care Association, President
Vance Air Force Base, Honorary Wing Commander, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Elder, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Board
Southern Regional Education Board, Board
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 2014-present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2019
A
2019
78%, 86% (cum.)†
2019
89%, 78% (cum.)†
2019
57%
2019
83%, 54% (cum.)†
2019
|78%, 86% (cum.)†
2019
|89%, 78% (cum.)†
2019
|57%
2019
|83%, 54% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2019
|10%
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (3)
*James Lankford
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Oklahoma 2nd Amendment Association OK2A
OTHER (1)
*Oklahoma Farm Bureau
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Kevin McDugle (2016)
Mark Lepak (2017)
Zack Taylor (2017)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Advance Freedom (2020)
Charles McCall (2016)
Harold Wright (2017)
Prosperity Oklahoma PAC (2016)
State Republican Party Organizations (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2018)
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.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe that all life is sacred and begins at conception. This procedure should only be allowed as a last resort in order to save the life of the mother.
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?
By law, Oklahoma is a balance budget state so our budget is always balanced. I would NOT support efforts to remove this provision. I support efforts to run our government more efficiently and I successfully passed a bill that eliminated an unnecessary state agency.
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.
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 government will not interfere with the free expression of one’s religion.
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?
I believe that health care should be between the patient and his/her provider and that our system is better served the more government is removed from our health care system. I believe we should remove barriers of entry or regulations that are reducing the number of doctors in America. The best way to lower the cost of health care is to allow the market to operate more freely.
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?
America is a nation of immigrants. It is important that we maintain an effective system of LEGAL immigration. We should ensure our system protects our citizens and allow individuals who will be productive members of our communities.
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. It is only through His grace that we are saved.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I have a proven voting record of protecting the life of the unborn and defending the freedoms protected through the Constitution. I believe that small businesses are the backbone of America’s economy and that personal responsibility is key to our country’s success.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
My past legislative experience and my role as a health care provider allows me to be better prepared to address the issues our state is facing. As the operator of a small business, I understand the challenges small businesses face daily in their quest to support their families and provide jobs for the community. As a father of three, I understand how precious life is and I am personally invested in making Oklahoma a place where my children want to raise their families.
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 believe Oklahoman’s are looking for elected officials who will make the right decision, even when it is not the easy decision. That is what I have done in my six years in the legislature and what I will continue to do as long as I serve.
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 am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and have voted to protect the gun rights of Oklahoman’s.
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. Education reform - Education is the most important service our state provides and we must ensure that every child has the best opportunity for a quality education. A child’s future shouldn’t be decided by their zip code or how much money their parents make. 2. Education spending - Oklahoma ranks in the bottom three in the country for the percentage of dollars our schools spend in the classroom. We must ensure our dollars get to the classroom where the majority of learning takes place. 3. Business regulations - We must remove regulations that make it more difficult for businesses to succeed in Oklahoma. Oklahoma businesses drive our economy and provide for the well-being of our citizens. We should enact policies that allow those businesses to thrive.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is unacceptable at any level however I would not classify it as a threat to our domestic security. Our country is better when we focus on our similarities, not our differences.
