George Lavender
Republican | Texas
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
George Lavender
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 1
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Arkansas High School, Texarkana, 1973
University of Arkansas, fayetteville, bsba, 1978
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
1st Choice pregnancy Center, contributor, Watersprings Ranch
contributor, First Baptist Church, Member/inactive deacon
boys and girls club, board member/coach, Texarkana housing authority
board member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Rep, 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
stste rep hd1, 2008
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2013
112%
2013
85%
2012
76%
2013
68%, 73% (cum.)†
2013
63%
2013
|112%
2013
|85%
2012
|76%
2013
|68%, 73% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2013
|0%
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (1)
East Texans for Liberty PAC
OTHER (1)
*Texans for Toll-Free Highways
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)
Bryan Hughes (2020)
Charlie Geren (2014)
Dan Patrick (2015)
Jeff Brown (2010)
Kevin Eltife (2011)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (25)
Allen Fletcher (2014)
Cole Hefner (2010)
Conservative Republicans of Texas (2012)
David Simpson (2010)
Drew Springer (2014)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Texas Association of Community Colleges (2012)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate completed the Abolish Abortion Texas Candidate Survey source
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Did not answer
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Did not answer
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I have voted in the past to eliminate all funding to PP
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I have voted in the past to eliminate all funding to PP
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
We should have either a flat tax, or consumption tax only. I prefer the consumption tax.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
We should have either a flat tax, or consumption tax only. I prefer the consumption tax.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
a lot. All foreign aid, All aid of any kind to illegals. Support checks only to people who are physically incapable of working. I would eliminate most Federal agencies because we already have state agencies that do the same work.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
a lot. All foreign aid, All aid of any kind to illegals. Support checks only to people who are physically incapable of working. I would eliminate most Federal agencies because we already have state agencies that do the same work.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
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?
None that I can think of
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None that I can think of
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 Medicare and Medicaid should be the only public options. Medicaid options should be tightened and neither should go to any non citizens, invited or not.
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 Medicare and Medicaid should be the only public options. Medicaid options should be tightened and neither should go to any non citizens, invited or not.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We continue to allow terrorists into our country and that must stop. Any terrorist we know is here should be deported. I DO NOT support troops on the ground in a war that isn't in our National interest, but we should retain the capacity to strike if necessary.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We continue to allow terrorists into our country and that must stop. Any terrorist we know is here should be deported. I DO NOT support troops on the ground in a war that isn't in our National interest, but we should retain the capacity to strike if necessary.
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
We should support Israel
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
We should support Israel
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
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?
Only people who would benefit our country in some way. Not because we would benefit them. Their family and others should not be allowed in unless they also bring something positive.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Only people who would benefit our country in some way. Not because we would benefit them. Their family and others should not be allowed in unless they also bring something positive.
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 gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
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.
I am a practicing Christian with faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a practicing Christian with faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
As a legislator I voted for and helped to pass the first Voter ID law in Texas.
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
As a legislator I voted for and helped to pass the first Voter ID law in Texas.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Mail in voting is a problem and needs to be fixed and limited. Vote harvesting is also a problem that needs to be eliminated. Anyone caught illegally voting or tampering should face jail time.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Mail in voting is a problem and needs to be fixed and limited. Vote harvesting is also a problem that needs to be eliminated. Anyone caught illegally voting or tampering should face jail time.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Race relations are at an all time low. It's important that we come together as a country and quit being divided by race and class.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Race relations are at an all time low. It's important that we come together as a country and quit being divided by race and class.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
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
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
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
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?
To maintain order and secure borders
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To maintain order and secure borders
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?
Very Conservative
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
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
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 wrote the first bill in Texas to eliminate property taxes and I will continue to fight for that. I have a 100% voting record on the 2nd Amendment, and right to life. I wrote the Open Carry Bill in 2011. I will stand up to the Federal Government when they attack our citizens.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I wrote the first bill in Texas to eliminate property taxes and I will continue to fight for that. I have a 100% voting record on the 2nd Amendment, and right to life. I wrote the Open Carry Bill in 2011. I will stand up to the Federal Government when they attack our citizens.
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
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
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?
Criminals and people with mental issues should not have access to guns. All other CITIZENS, should have.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Criminals and people with mental issues should not have access to guns. All other CITIZENS, should have.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
