Renee Swann
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Renee Swann
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist.17
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Loyola University, New Orleans, BA, 1980
WORK & MILITARY
Brazos Eye Surgical Center, Chief Operating Officer, 35
Shell Oil, Accounting Clerk, 2
The Law Offices of Paula Perrone, Office Manager, 1
AFFILIATIONS
Shoreshim Ministries, Contributors, CareNet Pregnancy Centers
Contributors, Hillcrest Pds Magnet School, Past President of PTA
Waco Junior League, Past Member, Lake Air Little League
Past Volunteer, Wild Branch Ministries, Contributors
John Woods Ministries, Contributors, Highland Baptist Church
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
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?
Save the life of the mother.
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?
We absolutely must protect the Americans who are already in or near retirement. They were made a promise and the country has a moral obligation to not only honor those commitments and protect their benefits, but also strive to be able to provide cost of living adjustments. We must also recognize the need to develop options for younger workers to divert a portion of their paychecks to individual retirement accounts. We need to allow people to control more of their own retirement savings, independent of the federal government. However, Social Security will remain a principle safety net.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Initially, we must look to the bloated federal agencies in Washington that have too much personnel. We can start by cutting spending from unnecessary salaries, but then must comprehensively evaluate which programs would be better handled by private industry.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
It is not the responsibility of government to pay off debt. The only time that some federal loan forgiveness programs are appropriate is when graduates commit for a period of service in underserved, traditionally hard to recruit areas, such as rural doctors. I would not discontinue these programs, but certainly believe that they should always be evaluated for efficiency.
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 government should play no role in religion.
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?
My husband and I founded and have been operating the Brazos Eye Surgery Center for more than 30 years. As the Chief Operations Officer, I have personally spent the last 10 years dealing with the ramifications of the passage of Obamacare. The problem can be boiled down to two core problems throughout the system: 1) there's not enough competition in the marketplace 2) there is way too much bureaucracy and mandates that have been interfering with the doctor and patient relationship. We must empower the patient to understand healthcare costs up front.
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?
We must not be afraid to call radical Islamic terrorism by its name and not bury our heads in the sand and pretend it doesn't exist. That's the only way to address the problem. Our men and women in uniform should be empowered to apprehend and destroy terrorist cells in order to protect our country.
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?
I support President Trump's position on a merit-based immigration system. We welcome immigrants who go through the legal immigration system and are committed to contributing to our country.
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.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My faith and spiritual walk is one that is real and personal. It is one that is built on the whole Bible and its teaching and instruction. It is relational and strengthened daily by personal surrender to my Creator's sovereignty in my life. He made me so He gets to command me. Seeking God's will on a daily basis in the midst of all of life's journey is the foundation that allows me see His love for me and teaches me how to truly love others.
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.
For the past 38 years I have been building a business and raising a family. I have not been involved in politics or taking public positions. The rise of socialism in our nation has caused me to offer myself as an candidate in this election so we can protect our Constitutional rights and preserve the liberties we have been so blessed with in our nation.
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 the 17th Congressional District because I want to serve my community and I believe in electing new people, with a common sense vision for strengthening our nation, which is EXACTLY what we need to stop the chaos and force Congress to, once again, serve the people. Thirty-eight years ago in Waco, Texas, my husband Russell and I started our medical practice, Brazos Eye Surgery of Texas, because we wanted to be somewhere that had a sense of community, of neighbor helping neighbor, and families growing up together. Central Texas has offered all of these things to our family. We deserve to be represented by folks who truly understand our interests, our hopes, and our challenges. People who have built businesses, cared for others in our communities, raised their families alongside ours, and who understand that the voices of the people of Central Texas and the Brazos Valley are the ones that really matter. I would be honored to have your vote.
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?
Criminals should not be allowed to have a gun.
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.
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?
Eliminating unnecessary federal regulations to eliminate government red tape that eliminate individual freedoms and cripple businesses. Authorize additional border security measures that target drug cartels and human trafficking. Open up the healthcare sector to allow for more choices to be created by the private sector, which ultimately has been outcomes than government run healthcare.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
When discrimination becomes a violent act, that is a threat that we must take seriously.
