Steven Sensmeier
Republican | Arizona
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Steven Sensmeier
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 1
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Embry-Riddle Aero. Univ., Prescott, B.S. Global Securoty and Intelligence, 2017
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Arizona Republican Party, Executive Committee Member at Large, Field Staff, Arizona Federation of College Republicans
State Chairman, College Republicans at ERAU, President
Yavapai County Republican Committee, IT, Webmaster, Precinct Committeeman, BSA Troop 7
Eagle Scout, Senior Patrol Leader, Camp Kirkwood (American Baptist Assoc), Summer Camp Staff
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Kell Palguta, Prescott Valley Mayor
Steve Shishka, Prescott City Council
Robert Graham, Past AZGOP Chair
Ron Williams, Constable, Prescott Precinct
Donny Oen,Constable, Mayor Precinct
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.
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 oppose abortion strongly, but I'm willing to make an exception for the life of the mother. While I don't like it, I son't see a justification for the loss of two lives when only one is necessary.
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
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Arizona runs pretty lean, and roughly 60% of our budget is K-12 education. The first think I think should be done is look into redundancies and inefficiencies to clear budget space.
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
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 we don't have official religions in this country. Everyone is free to worship as they choose with no tax or other official benefits or penalties because of what they choose to believe. I do not support the thinking that this means there should be no religion in government because, for so many of us, our moral compass and ideals are inseparable from out faith.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I believe that the best answer to this question is open markets. I'm very much in favor of expanded and affordable access to healthcare, but the government is the worst means to that end. Reducing regulations, particularly opening up insurance across state lines will force competition, driving up quality and driving down price.
NATIONAL SECURITY
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.
Strongly 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 am the descendant of poor immigrants who came to this country in search of a better life. Generations of hard work paid of and my family has done well, achieving middle class status and education. To me, this is the American Dream. I support legal immigration, both of those "huddled masses yearning to breath free" and those seeking education and opportunity in America. I do think there should be some control on numbers, but that's not a state issue. I do not support illegal immigration and fully support building the wall to secure our southern border.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in our lord and savior Jesus Christ who died for our sins on the cross. I believe that salvation comes only through acceptance of His forgiveness. While faith without works is dead, we are saved through His Grace and not through works. Faith is also a deeply personal issue and that one's personal relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship in life.
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.
I'm a young, first-time candidate so I don't have a voting history or long string of op-eds that I've written. My service record to various Conservative Causes including the College Republicans, Young Republicans, and Republican Party itself are my best examples of my strong and abiding conservatism. https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2019/04/26/gop-millennials-try-to-find-their-way-avoid-strife/
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I've been involved in local politics for 12 years, serving as a campaign volunteer for more than a dozen races from town council to congressional races. During that time, I was also President of the College republicans at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, State Chairman of the Arizona federation of College Republicans, and Vice-President of the Yavapai County Young Republican League. After graduating, I was hired to work in field operations for the Arizona Republican party and the Martha McSally for Senate Campaign. I hold my Bachelor of Science in Global Security and Intelligence Studies with minors in Global Business and International Relations for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Campus.
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?
Did not answer
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.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Minimal restrictions should be placed on ownership of standard types of firearms. However, certain types of weapons (ie full automatics, rocket launchers, flamethrowers) should require additional screening.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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?
Economic Development and Taxes Education/School Choice Infrastructure
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
While racism is a serious and growing problem I don't see it as a threat to domestic security. I despise racism and follow Dr King's words that we should judge not by the color of one's skin but by the content of their character. We need to do more to bridge the racial divide that seems to be deepening, but I don't see large scale race riots on the horizon. So I have to say no, it's not a threat to domestic security.
