Janice Rich
Republican | Colorado
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Janice Rich
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 55
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
(Candidate did not provide)
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Mesa County Republican Women, Treasurer (in the 1990s), Marillac Clinic
former board member, 6 years, Grand Junction Rotary Club, 2 years
Collbran Job Corp Community Relations, 16 years
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Mesa County Clerk & Recorder, 8
Mesa County Treasurer, 8
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2020
79%
2019
77%
2019
61%
2020
|79%
2019
|77%
2019
|61%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2019
57%
2019
50%
2019
31%, 31% (cum.)â€
2019
31%, 31% (cum.)â€
2020
22%
2019
0%, 0% (cum.)â€
2019
|57%
2019
|50%
2019
|31%, 31% (cum.)â€
2019
|31%, 31% (cum.)â€
2020
|22%
2019
|0%, 0% (cum.)â€
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (3)
Colorado Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Medical Society PAC
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Colorado
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Colorado Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Realtors Association
Colorado Association of Rural Electrification
Colorado Contractors Association
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
JRich Political Action Committee (2019)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
Ray Scott (2012)
Republican Women's Organizations (2009)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Centennial Leadership Fund (2019)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
Patrick PAC (2019)
Torchbearer PAC (2019)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association (2019)
Jenise May (2019)
WilsonPAC (2019)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Agree
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 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
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?
While I do not support abortion, it is currently allowed by state law in Colorado.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
While I do not support abortion, it is currently allowed by state law in Colorado.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
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.
Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Colorado has a constitutional duty to balance its budget. That said, I would like to see the state have the discipline and political will to require zero-based budgeting or performance based budgeting. I believe in transparency and accountability.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Colorado has a constitutional duty to balance its budget. That said, I would like to see the state have the discipline and political will to require zero-based budgeting or performance based budgeting. I believe in transparency and accountability.
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.
Agree
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.
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.
Neutral
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.
Neutral
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
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
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?
From a very early age, I have understood that our US Constitution gives us the freedom OF religion, not from religion.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
From a very early age, I have understood that our US Constitution gives us the freedom OF religion, not from religion.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
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?
As a cancer survivor, healthcare is an important issue. In 2019, I was a co-prime sponsor for HB19-1168 (Reinsurance), which was designed to decrease costs of care, leading to lower premiums and restraining the growth of federal spending commitments in the individual market. While I don't have that silver bullet that solves all of our healthcare issues, a good starting place is to invite our health care professionals, hospitals, and insurance carriers to the table. For rural areas, it is vital that we keep our primary care physicians and our rural hospitals. Our healthcare decisions must not be turned over to the state.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
As a cancer survivor, healthcare is an important issue. In 2019, I was a co-prime sponsor for HB19-1168 (Reinsurance), which was designed to decrease costs of care, leading to lower premiums and restraining the growth of federal spending commitments in the individual market. While I don't have that silver bullet that solves all of our healthcare issues, a good starting place is to invite our health care professionals, hospitals, and insurance carriers to the table. For rural areas, it is vital that we keep our primary care physicians and our rural hospitals. Our healthcare decisions must not be turned over to the state.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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.
Agree
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
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?
I believe anyone who wants to come to the U.S. LEGALLY and wants to work hard to prove themselves by becoming an American citizen should be welcome. I don't support giving citizenship to those who are here illegally. They shouldn't be allowed to break in line of those that have come here legally and are wanting to become citizens the right way.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe anyone who wants to come to the U.S. LEGALLY and wants to work hard to prove themselves by becoming an American citizen should be welcome. I don't support giving citizenship to those who are here illegally. They shouldn't be allowed to break in line of those that have come here legally and are wanting to become citizens the right way.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
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
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.
Neutral
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian; I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior when I was 12 years old. I grew up in a Baptist Church, and have attended an evangelical church since the early 1990s. My Christian values and the teachings in the Bible are my moral compass.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian; I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior when I was 12 years old. I grew up in a Baptist Church, and have attended an evangelical church since the early 1990s. My Christian values and the teachings in the Bible are my moral compass.
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
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 grew up in a family that was Democrat, but what I would consider in the 1960s as conservative Democrats. My parents did not always agree with the Democrat ideology. Once I was in my 20's, I realized that my values were more conservative. I spent time studying both the Democrat philosophy and the Republican philosophy and realized I was more aligned with the Republican Party. In 1980, I switched my affiliation to Republican.
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I grew up in a family that was Democrat, but what I would consider in the 1960s as conservative Democrats. My parents did not always agree with the Democrat ideology. Once I was in my 20's, I realized that my values were more conservative. I spent time studying both the Democrat philosophy and the Republican philosophy and realized I was more aligned with the Republican Party. In 1980, I switched my affiliation to Republican.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a Certified Professional Legal Secretary (20 years). I worked for an attorney, who was also a state legislator in Colorado. He impressed upon me the important work that gets done in the Colorado House of Representatives. I served as Mesa County Clerk & Recorder (overseeing Elections, Recording of public records, Motor Vehicle Division, and Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners), and then Mesa County Treasurer. I also served on legislative committees for both professional associations while in office. In my first year in the Colo State Legislature, I was a prime sponsor of seven (7) Bills, all seven passed out of the House and the Senate and were signed by the Governor. In my second year, I was a prime sponsor of seven (7) more Bills, four of which passed out of both houses unanimously and the three others with strong bipartisan support. All were signed by the Governor.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a Certified Professional Legal Secretary (20 years). I worked for an attorney, who was also a state legislator in Colorado. He impressed upon me the important work that gets done in the Colorado House of Representatives. I served as Mesa County Clerk & Recorder (overseeing Elections, Recording of public records, Motor Vehicle Division, and Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners), and then Mesa County Treasurer. I also served on legislative committees for both professional associations while in office. In my first year in the Colo State Legislature, I was a prime sponsor of seven (7) Bills, all seven passed out of the House and the Senate and were signed by the Governor. In my second year, I was a prime sponsor of seven (7) more Bills, four of which passed out of both houses unanimously and the three others with strong bipartisan support. All were signed by the Governor.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
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?
It has been the honor of my life to represent House District 55 (Grand Junction, CO) in the Colorado General Assembly. I don't take this position for granted, because I know Mesa County put its faith in me to go to Denver to do this job protecting what is important -- this place we all call home. We value the exceptional life we have in Mesa County, Colorado. If re-elected, I will continue to work hard to present Grand Junction, Mesa County -- and defend our Western Slope principles.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
It has been the honor of my life to represent House District 55 (Grand Junction, CO) in the Colorado General Assembly. I don't take this position for granted, because I know Mesa County put its faith in me to go to Denver to do this job protecting what is important -- this place we all call home. We value the exceptional life we have in Mesa County, Colorado. If re-elected, I will continue to work hard to present Grand Junction, Mesa County -- and defend our Western Slope principles.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I do not believe we need further restrictions on gun ownership in Colorado.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I do not believe we need further restrictions on gun ownership in Colorado.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
The Electoral College should be abolished.
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?
Promote economic development: I support Bills that works maximize our way of life. When we have a healthy economy, our way of life is better and families thrive. Promote Western Slope water: A secure and sustainable water future for Colorado is essential. It is vital for our farmers, ranchers, recreation, wildlife and water quality. Preserve efficient and common sense energy development: We are the most regulated state in the country, with the most stringent rules on energy. Prioritize transportation: This is a role of government. Transportation is vital to rural Colorado. We all know what our highways are life; we all know it takes much longe to get our goods to market. For Colorado to succeed, we need good transportation. Public land, tourism and recreation: There are also drivers of the economy in Western Colorado.
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Promote economic development: I support Bills that works maximize our way of life. When we have a healthy economy, our way of life is better and families thrive. Promote Western Slope water: A secure and sustainable water future for Colorado is essential. It is vital for our farmers, ranchers, recreation, wildlife and water quality. Preserve efficient and common sense energy development: We are the most regulated state in the country, with the most stringent rules on energy. Prioritize transportation: This is a role of government. Transportation is vital to rural Colorado. We all know what our highways are life; we all know it takes much longe to get our goods to market. For Colorado to succeed, we need good transportation. Public land, tourism and recreation: There are also drivers of the economy in Western Colorado.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I support peaceful protests, marches and rallies. But when the rioting, vandalism, arson and looting begins, the message is lost. I believe the use of "racism" has become a political tool in order to divide this country, which saddens me. We are all God's children, we all have value.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I support peaceful protests, marches and rallies. But when the rioting, vandalism, arson and looting begins, the message is lost. I believe the use of "racism" has become a political tool in order to divide this country, which saddens me. We are all God's children, we all have value.
