William "Dr. Fig" Figlesthaler
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
William "Dr. Fig" Figlesthaler
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 19
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Wake Forest University, Wake Forest, BS- Cum Laude, 1987
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, MD with Honors, 1992
University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Residency, 1997
WORK & MILITARY
Encore Urology, Founder, 2016- Present
Miami Urology, Founder, 2013-2015
Specialists in Urology, CEO, Founding/ Managing Partner, 1997-2013
AFFILIATIONS
Junior Achievement, Hall of Fame Laureate, Boys and Girls Club
Benefactor and Panel Judge, American Cancer Society, past Board Member
American Heart Association, Benefactor, American Urological Association
Member, American College of Surgeons, Fellow
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Garrett Richter
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Congressman Neal Dunn
Congressman Greg Murphy
Congressman Michael Burgess
Fmr State of FL Senator Garrett Richter
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)
Don Gaetz (2011)
Jack Latvala (2011)
National Republican Senatorial Committee (2010)
Neal Dunn (2015)
Ron Desantis (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Defend & Uphold Our Nation Now (2020)
Lone Star Leadership PAC (2020)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Bill Nelson (2013)
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 an option unless the mother is experiencing unavoidable life-threatening complications as determined by a physician. As a doctor, I have seen life at all stages, and can unequivocally state that life begins at conception, and as such, we have a moral and ethical duty to protect it.
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?
It is imperative we continue providing social security benefits to all Americans who are retired or have spent their career with the expectation that Social Security will be there for them when planning for their retirement. However, to ensure the program lives on for people just entering the workforce, alternate choices, in addition to social security, should be offered so workers have the decision on how to invest their money and best prepare for their own retirement.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
We must focus on Americans first when making any decisions on spending American taxpayer dollars. We can start by cutting foreign aid for nations that do not support America, stop paying dues to global organizations that do not respect and have America’s best interests in mind, and cutting all funding for the Department of Education so state and local Education departments can best determine how to educate our children by those closest to the students.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
Taxpayers should never pay for existing student loans. The students who determined to incur the debt should be the one to pay that debt as agreed to by them when they decided to accept the loan.
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 First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”. I believe that this worthy principle has been twisted by some in our culture to attack religion and argue that it has no place in the public square, when the intent of our founders was clearly to ensure that government was restricted when it comes to limiting how its citizens practice religion. In the words of John Adams, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
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?
As a lifelong physician who has cared for tens of thousands of patients in Southwest Florida, I have personally seen and counseled patients from all walks of life. The more government regulations we remove from our healthcare system, the more control and choice each patient will have. By introducing true free-market conditions, healthcare coverage will become more affordable and tailored to each patient’s specific needs.
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?
The expansion of radical Islam is to be stopped at any cost in the United States. We should take all steps to ensure strong background checks are performed on all who enter our country legally, and we must secure our border against those who attempt to come illegally. We must continue to work with and share intelligence with our allies in this fight. We must especially maintain and strengthen our relationship with Israel, so we can continue to have a strong partner in the Middle East in the fight against radical Islam.
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?
America is truly a melting pot that welcomes all who seek to come here according to our laws and chase their American dream. It is the federal government’s duty to strongly vet all foreigners who seek visas to ensure they fully support American culture and values, as well as have the skills and means to be productive members of society and contribute to our country. We must first and foremost ensure our national security at all costs.
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.
As a lifelong devout Catholic, the word of God guides me in all of my actions, from practicing medicine to raising my children to how I interact with others on a daily basis. I believe that America was founded on a Judeo-Christian philosophy, and part and parcel to being a good citizen is a belief in and subscribing to the values espoused by this philosophy.
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.
Biography- https://www.drfigforcongress.com/dr.-william-figlesthaler%E2%80%99s-run-for-congress-set-to-be-the-next-chapter-in-a-lifetime-of-triumphs.html CD-19 Candidate Forum- https://www.facebook.com/aarpfl/ CD-19 Candidate Forum- https://www.facebook.com/ABC7SouthwestFlorida/videos/928331861021626/ East Lee Co. Republican Interview- https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=245215480079277
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 as the conservative political outsider in this Congressional race. With my experience of raising 3 children as a single father and moving to the district 25 years ago saddled with debt, I achieved my American dream by graduating from medical school and building one of the most successful medical practices in the state of Florida. I did this through hard work and faith in God, not through government handouts. I am the only person in this race who has spent a career signing the front of paychecks, and not the back. As a 25-year physician and business owner, I have proudly never run for, or held, elected office. This means I am not beholden to special interests and can focus solely on the needs of FL-19’s constituents. In my life, I have never quit fighting for my family, I have never quit fighting for a patient, and if given the opportunity to serve you as your next Congressman, will never quit fighting for Southwest Florida.
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?
The 2nd Amendment is clear when it says “… shall not be infringed.” Americans have the right to keep and bear arms, and responsible gun ownership should be encouraged for all who choose to exercise this fundamental right to protect themselves, their families and their property.
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.
Agree
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?
Immigration reform- A nation without borders is no nation at all. We must work to enforce the laws on the books, build a southern border wall, fully support those charged with protecting our borders, and implement E-verify nationally to stop the main draw to illegal immigration. Term limits- Our founders never envisioned a permanent political class ruling our country. We must stop the cycle of career politicians who are more interested in self-enrichment and being re-elected than doing the business of the American people. Free-market healthcare reform- We must permanently repeal Obamacare and give patients true choice in their healthcare in order to expand accessibility, improve affordability, and maintain the high quality of healthcare we enjoy in America.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. Most Americans live harmoniously and peacefully and are law abiding citizens. However, when the media sensationalizes the small minority of cases that might incorrectly be interpreted as “racist,” many Americans may believe there is a problem in our great country. As Americans, we must all work together to understand and help one another by being good citizens and treating each other justly.
