Justin Wilmeth
Republican | Arizona
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Justin Wilmeth
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 2
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, BS, Political Science, 2013
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, Master of Public Administration, 2019
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Arizona State Representative, District 15, 2021-Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Arizona State Representative, District 2, 2022 campaign
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (4)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF; Center for Arizona Policy Action (CAP Action); Stand For Health Freedom; *Patriot Parents
OTHER (15)
Arizona Nurses Association PAC; Greater Phoenix Chamber; National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Arizona; Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Arizona Police Association
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Steve Kaiser (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Arizona Free Enterprise Club (2020); Arizona Leadership Fund (2022); Darin Mitchell (2020); Leslie Osborn (2020); Make Arizona Precincts Sound (2020)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
American Nurses Association (2022); International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Ideally, none.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
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
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Ideally, never. That's a huge problem on many fronts.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Be ready to defend it from reaching our shores ever again.
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
I am 100 percent pro-Israel
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.
Ideally, D - the government being involved is a part of the problem in this field. But that toothpaste isn't going back in the container. So a C with a caveat that it should be there as a true safety net and not a way of life.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
For COVID? Never. The parents should ultimately decide.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Get rid of as much of it as possible! Short of that, keep finding ways to limit the tax code so everyday people get more of their money back.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The random, insane spending we always hear about - say, $40 million to study insect eating habits or some such thing.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Yes - an "all of the above" approach. More wall, more border patrol agents, more new tech (drones, infrared, etc) all working together.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
If entering the country properly, anyone wanting to come here and work hard the right way. We must stop criminal elements from walking into our country without so much as opposition.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
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
I am a big "Back the Blue" guy, but if a police officer is truly committing poor conduct, it must be addressed. If they are doing their jobs, then of course they should be personally immune from prosecution.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
We cannot further hamstring our police. Those other two things are worthy of discussion for possible funding, as they can positively impact society and crime levels. But not at the expense of police budgets, which are already tight.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Let's reverse the question - we should teach everyone gun usage and safety so they better understand the weapons. "Protect public safety" likely means taking a hard look at our society's mental health. And to care for others - we have a heart problem in America and it is a lack of caring for one another.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Do we sue Ford or GM for wackos using vehicles to harm people? Same thing.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Defend life, liberty and property.
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?
Conservative
Overall, very Conservative. But policy is full of "shades of gray" nuance so it depends. But overall I'm from the Reagan/Goldwater camp in policy approach.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
I would just encourage voters to check my voting record at AZLeg.gov. I fully support pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and tax reduction/elimination bills. School choice is also an issue in which I fully support.
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'm just a regular guy. Truly. I was a government legislative policy staffer for 12 years before running for office in 2020. It has truly been an amazing experience, one in which I never ever dreamed of doing. I've had 15 bills (as of this writing; could be a few more soon) signed into law during my first term. I take policy seriously and I'm not doing this to fame, attention or any of that. I just have always been a government/policy nerd and I get to help Arizonans and provide solutions to make their lives better. And I think that's pretty cool. I'm honored to get to do this for however long the people of North Phoenix keep me doing it!
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
The Founders said as much time and again - even the non-religious ones.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Strongly Agree
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.
Just your typical Judeo-Christian from the mid-south. I'm a believer in Protestantism, the Holy Trinity and the belief that Jesus died to wash us of our sins.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I still get carded for buying alcohol. I'm 42. Voting is the most important thing we do as Americans. Of course it should require showing ID.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
There are so many good election integrity measures I've supported it's hard to say here. But Voter ID is the biggest.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a threat just like any hate in one's heart is a threat. Our problem today is that we have no love for one another and it shows in our treatment. We have seen plenty of times in our history where racism has been a threat to domestic security. We must all leave petty differences behind and identify first as Americans.
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. I will always side on pro-energy, pro-business angles on this front. What never gets talked about is how the governments of India and China do more to counteract environmental improvements the USA makes. Totally washes it out.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
Gas was roughly $1.70/gallon in the fall of 2020 in North Phoenix. Today? Roughly $5.20. It shouldn't be that way. I will always support ways to bring our ample domestic energy options to the people!
