Vanessa Hicks-Callaway
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Vanessa Hicks-Callaway
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 30
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Central Michigan University, Fort Leavenworth, KS, Master's, 2007
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, Bachelor's, 1994
Victoria High School, Victoria, TX, High School Diploma, 1985
WORK & MILITARY
United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel (RET), 26
AFFILIATIONS
Kiwanis Club, President, Past President, Executive Board, Victoria Bach Festival
Board of Directors, Victoria Police Foundation, Explorer Program Board of Directors
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Member, Military Order of World Wars (MOWW)
Chapter Commander, American Legion, Member
Texas Federation of Republican Women (TFRW), Member, District Director, SD 18, National Rifle Association (NRA)
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Chair, Precinct 21 Victoria County, 2
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Mrs. Debbie Phillips (Wife of Coach Bum Phillips)
Mr. John Maldonado
Ms. La Shaundrea Harris
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Greg Abbott (2014)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2016)
Republican Women's Organizations (2019)
State Republican Party Organizations (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
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
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Abortion should only be allowed under the strictest of circumstances such as a threat to the life of the mother. This means unless there is an abortion, the mother of the child will die. I completely reject the notion that abortion should be legal, safe and rare. None of this is currently true. More than 63 million Americans have been slaughtered as a result of abortion in this country. This must come to an end in this country. I am distraught over the fact that abortion has taken the lives of millions of American unborn children who would have become our future business owners, doctors, lawyers, teachers, military service members, first responders, and taxpayers! The revenue lost due to abortion for our country is staggering! We are throwing away human life with each abortion which is a travesty! I hope and pray this disenfranchisement and denial of the right to life by one group from another ends in the 21st Century-namely now!
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?
I would conduct a line by line item audit of governmental spending. Then, I would conduct focus groups, community forums, and create special committees made up of highly experienced, capable 'number crunchers' for the sole purpose of balancing the budget. I would not do this in a vacuum. However, if forced to select an area for cuts to be made, it would have to be cuts to programs like 'Pre-K All Day.' I would also restrict funding used to support social services for illegal immigrants.
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.
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?
I am afraid to imagine the kind of country we'd have if there was complete separation of church and state. The concept of good and evil and right and wrong have foundations rooted in moral concepts found in the Word of God like the Ten Commandments. I do not believe the church is separate from the state nor should it be. This phrase dates to early American concerns about one religious group being favored over another to avoid paying taxes. As I understand it, the Founding Fathers, namely Thomas Jefferson, with the First Amendment: "...congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion nor of the free exercise thereof" solved this. Separation addressed here is solely to protect the religious community, be they Baptist or Catholic, from taxation from the state. Unfortunately, many believe this means you cannot worship freely in public. They're wrong. Religious expression is constitutionally protected. Friendly Reminder: Our national motto is "In God We Trust."
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?
Healthcare coverage should be adequate, affordable and accessible for all, but I do not believe our government should be totally involved. I promote healthcare coverage purchased by the individual who is responsible for themselves and their own families. This, I believe can be done by responsible individuals who develop an understanding from a young age of what it means to be responsible for one's self. This is what is lacking in our society today. We must teach civics in school again. Young people must understand our country is not a socialist country. It is a republic with a democratic form of government. This means we don't have a big government hovering over us to take care of us. We have ourselves and a great country filled with opportunity and wealth. The only thing I believe our government should do, as it relates to healthcare coverage, is help make sure the prices, including what we pay for medicines, are fair. I believe prices in the healthcare industry are just too darn high
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?
The current US policy and the current laws on the books are enough. The issue is the fact these laws are not being followed or enforced. No one should be authorized illegal entry into the US. I believe the US has more than met its burden to allow immigrants into the country. The minority population in the US continues to grow. The US is a sovereign nation. No one should be above the law. All should enter legally. There is no other country in the world expected to bend its immigration laws the way the United States is. This is wrong. Billions of dollars that could be used to offset the deficit and the trillions of dollars of debt in America are lost due to the management of illegal entry into the US. Illegal immigration brings with it sex and human trafficking and results in tons of illegal drugs pouring in over the border into America. This is a threat to not only our sovereignty, but it threatens our safety and security. I do not support illegal immigration and never will!
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
Promotion of the LGBT agenda in public schools, including teaching of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”, is completely inappropriate and should be opposed at the state and local level.
Strongly Agree
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16 KJV)." This is one of the first bible verses I ever learned as a child and have never forgotten. This scripture serves as the foundation of my spiritual belief in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit-the Trinity. I fully accept Jesus Christ, who is also a historical figure, who walked the earth and led and taught disciples how to share the Word of God, as my Lord and Savior. The Word of God is powerful and is what I use to determine my values. My values are mainly based on the Ten Commandments which are found in Exodus 20:2-17. I value God and all he has blessed me with: His Word, this great country, the great state of Texas, the US and Texas constitutions, my family, my faith, and most importantly my FREEDOM which allows me to value all of these things and more without penalty.
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.
My views on issues ranging from economics to social matters to foreign policy issues, including immigration matters, are very conservative. I believe we've been given the blessing of being Americans who live in a free country. This means we are free to "pursue happiness" just as the Founding Fathers intended. In America, we are only limited, for the most part, by our own limitations-be they mental or physical. I believe we are individually responsible for our own success or lack of it. This ties directly into my economic views. I fully support of American capitalism and the free market that drives it. I fully support limited government, limited regulations, and low taxes. This is what makes the great state of Texas, and our country thrive! As for foreign policy, I support peace through strength. America is the counterbalance to the world. We must continue to be exceptional and powerful. Our military and foreign policy must be strong. I only support legal immigration and the law.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
My bachelor's degree in political science and master's degree in human resource management qualify me for State Representative for Texas District 30. Added to my education are my years of honorable service in the US Army as a sergeant and later as a lieutenant colonel, retiring in 2013. My service includes two deployments in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom respectively. I took my oath, to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, seriously. Added to my education and military service, are my years of work as a community volunteer. I served several years in leadership positions in non-profits like Kiwanis Club, Victoria Bach Festival, Victoria Police Foundation, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and others. Finally, I have experience in the Republican Party as a current county and state delegate, former precinct chair and secretary and am now District Director for TFRW Senate District 18. I am also a former appointee of TX Governor Greg Abbott.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No, I have never committed or been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Yes, I want voters to know I truly believe I am the right choice, at the right time, for the right future, for State Representative for Texas District 30. We face a new year and a new decade. We need aggressive servant-leadership like me who believes in the policies of President Trump, limited government, limited taxation, and limited regulations for businesses to thrive. I will fight for the rights of the unborn, the elderly, responsible gun owners, religious freedom, and for the preservation of our historical monuments like the Cenotaph Monument at the Alamo. I support strong families and have been married for 23 years and have two sons; one of which is in college, and the other is in public school. So, I want quality education provided by well-paid teachers and staff. I pray God blesses you, Texas, and America. I sure would appreciate your support and especially your vote. Now, let's keep Texas Red for generations to come! Thanks!
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.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Convicted felons, domestic abusers, and mentally incompetent individuals, must not be permitted to carry or own a gun. These restrictions are needed to protect public safety.
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?
(1) Public School Finance Reform (Not all public-school employees were authorized to receive a pay increase by the 86th Texas Legislature.) (2) The designation of the Texas Alamo as a historical site that cannot be altered ever for any reason other than maintenance or repairs. Statues like the Cenotaph Monument must never be removed. (3) Legislation finalizing recognition of males and females based on traditional biology of XX-female and XY-male chromosome for children below the age of 18.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No, I do not believe racism is a threat to domestic security. The United States is vastly made up of many different racial and ethnic groups. Yet, our country is great and successfully wealthy. I just do not believe, given the ethnic demographics of the country, that racism is a domestic threat. Historically speaking, yes, racism was a domestic threat to this country. Particularly, harassment, discrimination, and lynching were especially threatening to the American way of life for many people of diverse backgrounds in this country. I am pleased to say we have come a long way. Obviously, there is always room for improvement in this area, but I just do not currently see racism in America as a domestic threat. The rise of socialism and progressivism is the real threat to domestic security in the United States at this time. I also do not support the left's targeting and depicting of white males in this country as being racist and the main reason for all that is wrong with America.
