John Stefanski
Republican | Louisiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John Stefanski
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
Primary
Race
Attorney General
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, B.A., History, 2007
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, New Orleans, J.D., 2010
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
State Bond Commission, Member, Legislative Budgetary Control Council
Member, Acadiana Area Human Services District Board of Directors, Member
NRA, Member, St. Michael's Catholic Church
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative- District 42, 7
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2022
100%, 100% (cum.)†
2020-2021
100%
2023
92%
2022
80%, 79% (cum.)†
2022
|100%, 100% (cum.)†
2020-2021
|100%
2023
|92%
2022
|80%, 79% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Ralph Abraham
Jefferson Parish Republicans
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Calcasieu Parish D.A. Stephen Dwight
Acadia Parish Sheriff KP Gibson
District Attorney Don Landry
Vermillion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon
Jefferson Parish Republican Party
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (13)
Garret Graves Victory Fund (2023)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
State Republican Party Organizations (2023)
Tanner Magee (2022)
Jonathan Goudeau (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (22)
Bishop PAC (2023)
Clay Schexnayder (2023)
Dixon McMakin (2023)
Jean-Paul Coussan (2023)
Lifemark PAC (2023)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
National Association of University Women (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
The August Group (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
One of 69 Republicans who voted to override Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards’s veto and reinstate House Bill 648 called the “Stop Harming Our Kids Act,” which shields children from life-altering sex-change procedures. Source: HB648 (la.gov)
Candidate's interview on Talk 107.3 with Brian Haldane
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am 100% pro-life and believe life begins at conception.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
There are many changes that could be made to the tax code, but I believe that abolishing the Louisiana franchise tax is the most imperative. The franchise tax is an unnecessary measure that discourages new companies from coming to Louisiana and contributing to the economy.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Louisiana does not allow for deficit spending and is required to produce a balanced budget each year. Anytime you're using taxpayer dollars to fund something there should be the highest level of scrutiny. I believe you could find waste and efficiencies inside virtually every area of government. From the perspective of the attorney generals office, I would look to prioritize our in-house staff over outside contract in the event of a budget shortfall.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
As a son of an educator, I know the importance of K-12 public eduction and believe it is a proper use of tax-dollars. As important as a K-12 public option, I also believe parental choice is equally important. Parents should not be forced to send their child to a failing school and should have options available to them. When it comes to higher education, I do believe in a merit based funding mechanism for in state students to keep our best and brightest here in Louisiana.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Closing of churches is in direct violation of our rights to freedom of religion, and should never happen.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded health programs are necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I do not believe COVID vaccinations should be mandated for any reason. Other public funded entities that require standard immunization schedules should always allow for religious our health exemptions.
NATIONAL SECURITY
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
People who immigrate to the United States through legal methods already in place.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
As a Catholic, my personal conviction is to follow the word of God. This is where my core principles derive from. I uphold my personal convections while at the same time respecting the convictions of others. While I believe marriage was divinely inspired and between one man and one woman, that is not what he law says and my duty as the Attorney General will be to follow, uphold and defend the laws and constitution of Louisiana.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My faith is the most important thing in my life. I am a strong and devout Catholic which has led me to serve as a lector at my home parish, St. Michael's Church. I use my faith as daily guide for my life.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
As Chairman of House & Governmental Affairs, I have had the unique opportunity of actively supporting and strengthening voting laws. However, there is always more that can be done such as continuously investing in advanced and secure voting machines while also mandating more frequent election audits.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
While I believe racism exists and is a disgusting belief/practice, I do not see it as a direct threat to domestic security in the United States. I believe we should treat other as we wish to be treated and to love our neighbor as Christ instructed us to do.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The general purpose of government is to serve and defend its constituents and Louisiana has done poorly at both. As I write this Louisiana is one of if not the most violent state in America. As Attorney General, I am wholly committed to using the office to help defend Louisiana families against the rise in violent crime.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/state-rep-john-stefanski-who-led-house-gop-redistricting-to-run-for-attorney-general/article_1fc22f68-432c-11ed-a0c2-ffcfa96d3ed1.html https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/john-bel-edwards-signs-the-tort-reform-bill/article_1f80317e-c7a2-11ea-a78e-bb8190e7bdf9.html
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I love Louisiana, our values, and our way of life. That's why after graduating from law school I made the decision to return to my hometown of Crowley, where I have practiced law with my family’s firm for the past 12 years. As a benefit of practicing law in a small town, I gained experience across numerous areas of law, including civil, criminal, domestic, local government, title, and business litigation. I was also a Public Defender for 6 years in which I primarily worked in the juvenile court system. The role of Attorney General requires a broad knowledge of the law, and my background has prepared me to excel as Louisiana’s Attorney General. Additionally, my time in the legislature has allowed me to handle and debate bills from all sections of the Civil and Criminal Code, as well as set policy for our state to help improve every citizens quality of life. I believe the Attorney General should be independent from the Governor or any other branch of government. I will be an Attorney General who works for the people, not another arm of government. It would be a tremendous honor to represent our state as the chief legal counsel, and I would be honored to have your support.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment and believe we need to do a better job at enforcing current laws before attempts are made to add new restrictions to freedom. People who violate the law do not care what the law says - so adding additional restrictions to law abiding gun owners will have zero impact on those who intend to violate it.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Gambling should be limited to existing forms and should not be de-regulated or expanded.
Neutral
Children should be protected from sexualization on the internet, in public schools, and in the public libraries
Strongly Agree
