Leonard Chan
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Leonard Chan
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 26
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Rice University, Houston, BA in Pol. Sci., History, and Reli. Studies, 2007
University of Houston, Houston, Master of, 2009
WORK & MILITARY
Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, Policy Analyst, 2
Cedar Park Fire Department, Management Analyst / Accreditation Coordinator, 6
Houston Fire Department, Management Analyst IV, 1
AFFILIATIONS
Baker Institute Young Professionals Roundtable, Member (2018–Present), TX Center for Public Safety Excellence Consortium
Chair (2017–Present), Secretary (2016–2017), American Society of Public Administrators, Member (2015–Present)
Bob Bullock State History Museum, Hacienda Member (2012–Present), Life Teen
Core Team Volunteer (2009–Present), Rice University Alumni Association - Austin, Special Events Chair (2018), Young Alumni Co-Chair
Williamson County Republican Party, County Delegate (2018), Catholic Emerging Leaders Program
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
James Rains, Texas Young Republicans Vice Chair
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.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I embrace the truth that human life at all stages and conditions is sacred and respecting the dignity of the human person should serve as the foundation of any social policy. The circumstances surrounding an individual's conception does not reflect their ultimate character or value. Individuals and families facing distress should be redirected to options that do not involve abortion. Health care, education, and economic support mechanisms should be available during times of a crisis pregnancy. Critical medical procedures, however, that may tragically lead to a loss of a child should not place the mother at fault.
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?
The Texas Constitution mandates that the legislature passes a balanced budget, and I intend to continue upholding this constitutional requirement. I would support efficiency measures recommended by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission and Legislative Budget Board to avoid reduction in services. If service reductions are unavoidable, I would ensure public safety, education, and transportation funding remains intact as cuts to those areas would further hamstring economic activity.
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 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?
"Separation of church and state" means that religious and secular institutions must respect each other's domains. Secular government must not compel the practice of any religion as true faith develops under free will. Religious entities must remain free from partisan affiliation to serve as an independent conscience to civil authorities. The religious and secular ideally should complement rather than duplicate or conflict with each other. Religious leaders should still be held accountable for any criminal behavior as defined by the government. Likewise, the government should still be guided by the moral mission to protect the fundamental rights of all persons.
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?
My focus will be to reducing costs by eliminating the inefficiencies in the system. This includes lowering the demand on the emergency medical services system, which has inflated costs for the same services offered through primary care physicians. Market incentives need to be developed that encourage individuals to seek health care early on before conditions worsen and become more expensive to treat. Community partnerships should be built that improve health and safety education that help prevent disease and illness. I would promote the expansion of the scope of care for nurse practitioners to increase the supply of providers available in routine services.
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.
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.
Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigrants are a treasure of this nation and are a net positive. This nation is tied together though its ideals, and those that accept those ideals should be provided an avenue to immigrate legally. It is this country’s greatest strength that the most creative and educated individuals from around the world want to come here and make a life for themselves and their family. Individuals should be able to contribute to the economy and the community in an expedited manner. Many seeking a home or refuge in the United States were respected professionals -- doctors, engineers, and teachers -- from their country of origin, and their talents can help the nation.
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.
Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
Promotion of the LGBT agenda in public schools, including teaching of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”, is completely inappropriate and should be opposed at the state and local level.
Disagree
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe that God created us in his image with the capacity to do good. Original sin has stained us, but in an act of love, Jesus sacrificed himself to redeem us. We must attempt to emulate Christ's example in serving others despite the inevitable hardship. Our actions, however, will always pale in comparison to Jesus, and we must depend on God's grace for salvation.
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?
Somewhat Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
My passion for civic engagement through local faith-based and non-profit organizations is longstanding, receiving numerous distinctions since my youth. During my undergraduate years, I served as an intern for Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn. The Houston Chronicle has also published a letter to the editor I authored that detailed the ethical concerns regarding embryonic stem cell research. I have participated as a delegate in the Republican Williamson County Convention in 2018. I successfully drafted and passed a platform item emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity for national security, elections, privacy, and intellectual property that is now part of the state platform.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
My professional career has been dedicated to public service in developing pragmatic policy solutions. I have experience in collecting and integrating stakeholder input, especially from front-line first responders and community members. As a longtime observer and former staff of the Texas Legislature, I have developed an understanding of critical policy areas including disaster recovery, transportation, and education. My studies at the Rice University and University of Houston have been oriented towards public service. My longstanding connection with the community dating from childhood helps me understand the priorities and needs of my constituency.
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 a representative for Texas House District 26 should be a person that knows the community and calls the place home. I grew up with this community and fully appreciate what makes it special. I have seen how the high school band is just as big as an attraction as its football team. I have tasted how the community emerged as a hub for the culinary arts. I have also felt its generous spirit following tragedies including September 11 and Hurricane Katrina. Because of this, I always sought to serve my hometown to what my capabilities allow including the Fort Bend County Women's Center, Habitat for Humanity, and St. Laurence LifeTeen as well as helping others that have left but still consider Fort Bend home. I believe I now have the qualifications to serve as its representative to the Texas Legislature, and hence, have an obligation to offer my services.
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 Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe that the 2nd amendment is a fundamental right that must be defended. I also recognize that gun ownership has responsibilities. Guns are tools that serve a purpose, but like other tools, proper training in their use and function are imperative. Not everyone may feel comfortable in handling guns on their own just as not everyone may feel comfortable in handling a circular saw. As with any tool, guns need to be properly secured to minimize the risk of misuse.
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.
Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Ensure communities become properly equipped in disaster mitigation, response, and recovery. 2. Enable public safety entities to better serve our communities. 3. Invest in education to ensure a quality workforce.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Assisting in developing risk assessments for first responders, my assessment of threats to domestic security must be based on facts rather than ideology. Majority of attempted and successful terrorist attacks in the United States have been domestic in nature. A substantial number of cases have been racially motivated. Ignoring this issue will embolden others to engage in violent behavior.
