Frank Blanco
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Frank Blanco
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist 44
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Florida A&M University, College of Law, Orlando, JD, 2016
Florida State University, Tallahassee, MPA, 2009
University of Florida, Gainesville, MA, 2007
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Legal Aid Society, Volunteer, Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida
Member, Orange County Bar Association, Member
Central Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys, Member, Rotary Club of Windermere
Member, Wills for Heroes, Volunteer
Orange County Republican Executive Committee, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
OTHER (1)
*Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
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
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?
Abortion should never be used as an elective procedure or a means for birth control. I believe it should only be allowed in circumstances where the mother's life is in danger, rape, and incest.
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?
The Florida Constitution already requires the legislature to balance our budget, but if I were to choose programs from which to cut from, I would say that at the state level, we could do more to eliminate bureaucratic waste and duplicative processes that consume resources better spent elsewhere, like education.
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.
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 believe that is a misnomer that does not exist in the Constitutional text at all. However, I do understand that the establishment clause prevents the government from taking a preference in a particular religion over all others. But, this does not mean that the government can infringe on an individual's ability to express or practice their religion of their choice. Thus, to me, "separation of church and state" means the requirement that government must stay out of the private religious affairs of individuals and must not impose its will on those who choose to practice their 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?
No, I believe that health insurance is a service provided by physicians and their staffs. I believe that any requirement by the government forcing physicians to provide their services to all, irrespective of cost, is in essence conscription and is an evil request.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
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.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I firmly believe in the President's merit-based immigration system that scores potential immigrants on their ability to contribute to our society and not be wards of the state. Mexico already does this with all of the immigrants that come to their nation from other central American nations. They require their immigrants to be able to prove that they are able to self-sustain and have the educational or vocational skills necessary to contribute to their society. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask the same.
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.
Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a firm believer in God, and I have seen His divine grace in my life every day. I pray to God every night to thank Him for everything he has done in my life and for giving me the strength, courage, and resolve to improve the lives of those closest to me. I believe that we are imperfect creatures that can only strive for perfection through surrender to Jesus Christ and acknowledging his sacrifice for our world.
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 issue positions on my website: http://www.blancoforhouse.com.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
My education degrees have prepared me for a role in government service. As I have stated previously, I have degrees in political science, public administration, and law. I believe this unique combination has allowed me to be well-versed in the role of government and what can be done to make it efficient and beneficial to all. Additionally, prior to my work as an attorney, I was a legislative aide for Senator Steve Oelrich for four years (2009-2012). I was able to assist the Senator in passing bills, writing legislation, working on committees, and doing constituent outreach. These are all vital aspects of what makes a good citizen-legislator and I will use these skills to serve the citizens of district 44.
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 was raised by a single mother in a lower-income neighborhood in Miami. My parents both came over to the United States on the Mariel Boatlift in 1980 to escape that oppressive Castro regime. I know what it is like to struggle and I also have seen first hand the destruction that an oppressive, tyrannical government can cause. I managed to escape poverty just as my parents escaped tyranny and have built myself into someone of influence and esteem. I understand what can happen if government infringes on all of our rights and I am uniquely equipped to understand what it means to struggle in a home with limited resources. I would like the voters to know that as their next representative from House 44, I will always lend my ear and ensure that they will have someone who will fight back against government overreach in all forms. I want the voters to know that I am firm believer that government's role must be limited in all aspects of our lives in order for us to truly be free.
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.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I don't believe any restrictions on gun ownership are necessary. Law-abiding citizens who are exercising their 2nd amendment rights. Criminals who are likely to use firearms in the commission of violent crimes will not be compelled to be bound by any restrictions on gun ownership. Thus, I don't believe that any restrictions on gun ownership are necessary and I will fight tooth and nail to prevent ANY infringements on our 2nd amendment rights.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Agree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
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?
I believe that we must do to expand educational funding and I believe one way to accomplish this is to have an honest conversation about prison reform and doing away with mandatory minimum sentencing for non-violent criminal offenders. This is one of my top priorities. I also believe we need to expand vocational training and options because I don't believe that every needs to go to college and be saddled with tens of thousands of dollars of student loan debt. I believe expanding vocational training will do wonders in expanding our middle class and move us away from our dependency on tourism and agriculture. Finally, I believe we must do more to protect the rights of responsible gun owners and that's why if I am elected, I will file a bill to repeal the red flag laws passed by our state legislature.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No, I don't believe it is, but I do believe that we must have a conversation about race and what can be done to improve the relationship between the African-American community and the police. I don't think that there's anything that would prevent us from improving accountability of our police to ensure that their interactions with the public are less likely to result in controversy.
