Todd Kent
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Todd Kent
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist.17
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, PhD in Political Science, 2005
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA, MA in Public Policy, 1990
Utah State University, Logan, UT, BS in Accounting, 1982
WORK & MILITARY
University of Utah Asia Campus, Chief Administrative Officer and Dean of Faculty, 2016-2019
Texas A&M University at Qatar, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, 2010-2015
Texas A&M University at Qatar, Assistant Professor of Political Science, 2006-2015
Kent Consulting, President, 1994-2006
AFFILIATIONS
Worldview Academy Leadership Camps, Co-Founder (www.worldview.org), Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Staff Member, Brazos Classical Academy, Founder
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Member, Elder, Mercy Hill Church
Member, Grace Fellowship Church, Doha, Qatar (Elder)
Tying Vines Humanitarian, Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
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 God is the creator and sustainer of all life, and therefore, it is not a man or woman's role to end life prematurely.
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
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?
The concept of separation of church and state means that each exists apart from the other. The church creates its own structure and governing authority apart from the state. In simplistic terms, the church deals with sin (heart issues) and the state with crime (unlawful actions). Those who do not believe in the separation of church and state are threatening the religious liberty of churches. Unless elected leaders push back, churches face the threat of taxes, prohibitions on what can be preached, and hiring restrictions. While the words “separation of church and state” are not found in the Constitution, the First Amendment embodies the truth that the Church must be free from government interference and holds its authority not from the State, but from God.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
The US should maintain a position that it will act against all aggression aimed at the United States. A "threat" is a word that needs more definition. World leaders "threaten" the US every day. We cannot eradicate bad thoughts or language. We must be vigilant against bad actions. One primary Constitutional role of the US government is to protect its citizens. It accomplishes this duty internally through law enforcement and externally through various foreign policy tools, including diplomacy, economic sanctions, containment, deterrence, and the use of military force. A strong military is essential for the US to accomplish its goals of combating external threats to the US.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
The average annual premium for family health insurance is almost $20,000 and together with high deductibles, copays, and other expenses, families are feeling the financial pain. We need legislation that reduces government intervention and regulation. The more government tries to intervene, the less competition in the health marketplace. Obamacare promised lower costs and affordable health insurance premiums. The truth is that costs continue to rise and are not slowing down. As Republicans, we cannot hide from the growing problem or we will be stuck with massive government solutions offered by the Democrats. There are no easy answers, but we must take the lead in crafting innovative policy solutions. 1. We must reduce the costs of healthcare, including prescription drugs, well-care, and doctor visits. 2. We should learn from medical sharing plans that are based on non-traditional groups and the use of cash payments.
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
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
The most important task in the short run is to ensure the viability of the system. According to the Social Security Administration website, "As a result of changes to Social Security enacted in 1983, benefits are now expected to be payable in full on a timely basis until 2037, when the trust fund reserves are projected to become exhausted." We need to have the budget discipline to increase the amount of funds in the Social Security Trust Fund. A delay in dealing with the issue transfers the burden in a greater way to the younger generation.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
In order to balance the budget, spending increases must stop. We must: 1. Reduce wasteful spending on the military budget 2. Reduce healthcare costs related to Medicare and Medicaid 3. Stop the sharp increases in the overall budget 4. Stop federal spending on education and income security 5. We must empower private entities to fund projects and charity to which they are called and in which the government now interferes.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
Taxpayers should not help pay off existing student loans. Paying off student loans is a blatant redistribution of income. It is unfair to all citizens who have or are working to pay their loans.
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
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Strongly 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.
Strongly Agree
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
It is a critical national security problem when we do not know who is entering our country. We need to modernize and simplify the process for those who desire to enter the US legally and secure our borders to prevent unlawful entrance into the US. The most important criteria for new immigrants to the US is that they want to be Americans and demonstrate the desire to assimilate. It is about their long term aspirations, adherence to our culture, and ability to speak the language. In Federalist Paper No. 2, John Jay wrote that part of what binds Americans together is that they speak "the same language." Fluency in English is an important step to assimilation. Immigrants are not a threat to American greatness when they are committed to contributing to that greatness.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am a supporter of the 2nd Amendment and the individual’s right to own a weapon. A reduction in the number of guns will not curb gun violence. I would vigorously oppose government gun confiscation legislation. I would support restrictions on individuals who have committed a violent crime. In the long run, reducing gun violence can only happen by expanding mental health programs and strengthening family structures.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
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. Budget deficit measures to reduce our $23 trillion debt. We do not have a revenue problem, but an overspending problem. 2. Reducing the costs of health care to help citizens meet their monthly obligations. 3. Job training and restructuring to deal with the upcoming effects of AI and robots in the workplace. A change in the employment needs due to technology will disrupt communities.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Although racism exists in this country, racism is not a threat to domestic security. Inherently, racism is an issue of the heart and mind and is not a new problem. As a society, we must ensure that the law is applied equally and fairly to all citizens. Problems occur when government attempts to legislate a solution and one group is advantaged over another. Government is ill-equipped to make people treat everyone well.
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.
1. See my philosophy of government and issue positions at www.toddkent.com 2. I am a co-founder of Worldview Academy, which has taught a Biblical and limited government approach to policy issues for over 20 years.
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 am running for office because our nation is threatened by an illegitimate and socialist agenda from Democrats. I am concerned about the type of country we are leaving our children and grandchildren. I am the candidate in this race who has the necessary experience and track record of success to affect change and confront the big issues facing our country. With a PhD in political science, I have spent years studying the intricacies of American Government and International Relations. My broad background in higher education leadership, consulting, and co-founding a nationwide Christian youth leadership ministry has taught me how to work with diverse groups to accomplish goals. District 17 deserves a leader who is prepared to represent the citizens and work on their behalf. I ask for your vote and hope that you will allow me to represent you in Washington, DC.
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 am a Christian who seeks to follow Christ on a daily basis. My beliefs and values stem from a Biblical Worldview in which institutions of government, church, and family fulfill God-given roles in society. I a firm believer in the importance of the local church and its substantial role in our communities. Throughout my life I have served in the church and in para-church organizations.
