Erika Benfield
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Erika Benfield
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 7
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Lake Brantley High, Longwood, Diploma, 97
Seminole State College, Sanford, AS
WORK & MILITARY
Ethan Allen, Altamonte Springs, 2003-2008
Owner of Florida Living Quarters, 2008-Current
Part Owner of Design or List It Real Estate Brokerage, 2016- Current
AFFILIATIONS
National Association Latino Elected Official, Member, Team Volusia Economic Board
Board member, Community United Methodist Church DeBary, Church Member
Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, North Orlando Leads Group Past President, Rotary Club DeBary, Deltona, Orange City
Past President, current member, VFW Auxilary Post 8093, Lifetime member
Southwest Volusia Republican Club, Member, Husband Vice President 2018-2020, River to Sea Transportation Volusia Flagler County
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Vice Mayor DeBary, 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (9)
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood
Volusia County Vice Chair Billie Wheeler
Seminole County School Board Member Amy Pennock
Volusia County School Board Member Jamie Haynes
State House Representative for Seminole County/Orange Bob Cortes
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)
Bob Cortes (2020)
Jason Brodeur (2019)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
Ron Desantis (2018)
State Republican Party Organizations (2015)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Bob Cortes (2019)
Citizens Alliance for Florida's Economy (2020)
Jose F. Diaz (2020)
WinRed (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I'm 100% Pro-Life and no tax payer funds should be used to kill babies. I became a mother at a young age and now a grandma thanks to a local pregnancy center showing my daughter-in-law she had a choice and support.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
I do not support.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None, there are alternatives such as abstinence or morning after pill should there be incest or rape. The state legislature determines the laws regarding abortion clinics and I applaud Governor Kristi Noem for abolishing abortion clinics.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
I became successful in life due to equal opportunity not equal outcome. I do not support any government tax that taxes someone more because they worked hard or made decisions that made them more profitable. Free enterprise
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
My experience as a mom, business owner and in government have led me to believe that a balanced budget is essential. We can not continue to spend money we do not have as a nation it is irresponsible and even in biblical times having good books was recommended.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
The tax code we have right now is costing Americans more money and costing working class Americans more and more. When I served the citizens of DeBary as Vice Mayor, we had the greatest economic growth and more reserves. I made the motion to roll back tax millage rate to what is was in 1993, nearly 25 years because of fiscal responsibility without depriving needed services to the citizens. I will apply the same principles in Washington to cut federal spending & increasing reserves.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I'm a woman of faith. It's what our country was founded on Religious Freedom. I served our Sanford church parrish committee/trustee for three years and my husband is now serving his three year term at our local church in the district.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
I believe in the words In God we Trust which is what is printed on ever currency in the United States as a reminder thanks to H.R. 619 If we loose that we loose what was used to found our country. It's not in the constitution to separate church and state.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
As an employer, the only requirement I have to ask my employees for work is proof of citizenship. Zero for vaccinations and i would keep that the same. Zero covid vaccine mandates for our children that is overstepping parental rights. Please note, I voted No while vice mayor for any covid-19 mandate of any kind. Traditional vaccinations that have decade research I support on a personal note as a ten year member of rotary that its longtime mission is to eradicate polio globally. I do support proper documents to register children to keep them safe in our public schools with the exception of covid vaccinations, medical exemptions should be allowed.
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.
Universal healthcare does not work. It was found to be unconstitutional requirement during the Obama administration. I would support B based on the way the options were written. President Trump's administration championed in allowing veterans to go into the private sector for medical and I support that decision.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
C based on the current stage we are in with open border crisis, shipping crisis, food shortage, and overspending at the federal level. We need to focus on America First
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
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
After evaluations occurred, the candidate expressed that her preferred response to this question should be “
Peace through strength and to not arm terrorist by leaving millions of arms and military equipment in their hands. And if necessary, I support killing terrorist via drone if an extreme immediate threat is present example during the Trump administration.“
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The feedback from both of our Sheriff's in FL Congressional District 7 is we need to secure the southern border as quickly as possible and let the border patrol do their job vs. catch and release. I'm endorsed by Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood as he's visited the border twice and knows my good work in public office to do everything possible to protect Americans.
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
After evaluations occurred, the candidate expressed that her preferred response to this question should be “
"There is a legal process to enter and due to the amount of illegals released into the U.S. the past year and a half we should do a moratorium as the lawlessness allowed by the Biden administration is irresponsible. I would not give amnesty to anyone except the children that are being raped and used by coyotes because they are victims".
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
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.
I'm a Christian and believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I'm also a ten year Rotarian and our rotary motto is "Service above Self". Young girl scout pledge "scouts honor" I use these principles in my day to day.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
In light of the age old fax requirement or slow USPS mail results in 2020 primary I would be in favor of email be allowed for military if the email matches the registration. Some mail in ballots sent in July were not counted by mid-august as a result. In Florida, during 2020 election a congressional seat was won by just 100 votes so every vote matters.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No, I am a minority and although we faced discrimination when we first moved stateside from P.R. in 1986 I would not consider it a domestic security.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Did not answer
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.
There can be a balance of both protecting jobs such as the oil industry. I support energy independence and will vote to protect that. Florida has made changes in laws to help alleviate the natural springs at a cost, As vice mayor, I championed in keeping recycling at a small cost when other cities did not so I am in support of reasonable environmental laws to protect our water resource/aquifer and smart growth.
ABOUT YOU
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
CSPAN Erika Benfield Round table with President Trump September 25 2020 https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4909856/user-clip-debary-vice-mayor-erika-benfield-speaking-roundtable-miami
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 believe in a citizen controlled congress that reflects our conservative values and I would like to pay it forward to the community that I have 30 year roots and success due to equal opportunity not equal out come. The following is what i will fight for: Securing the Border Protecting Gun Rights Standing for Life Fighting for Veterans and First Responders Empowering parents and school choice Cutting Taxes and regulation Protecting Election Integrity ***Vote Erika for America by August 23rd
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
Officers have coverage to protect themselves legally and I would be in favor of not prosecuting them like civilian when in line of duty if department policy was followed. We are facing times in our nation where officers are disrespected and their lives are more in danger than ever. I support the blue, I'm endorsed by Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and my family member is the government affairs personal for in district Seminole County advocating for funding to make our communities safer.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
No defunding of the police.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None it is a constitutional right. Good guy with a gun stops a bad guy with a gun and bad guys do not follow the law. I'm a gun owner, I have a gun owners for Erika coalition with firearm instructors and founder of the largest gun club in the state of Florida and my husband is the area manger for USCCA. We advocate for education and safety education to gun owners to fully understand the laws and become responsible gun owners.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
