Darren Aquino
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Darren Aquino
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 26
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Benjamin Franklin, New York, High School, 1977
WORK & MILITARY
Actor
AFFILIATIONS
Advocates for Disabled Americans, Veterans, Police, Firemen & Families, National Chief Advocate and founder
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
none
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Mayor of New York, 2016
Congressional Candidate District 19, 2020
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Veterans, Police and first responder endorsements
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 respect the sanctity of life, and abortion should only be permitted under special circumstances, such as rape, incest, or life threatening situation of the mother. We would not need special funding for these types of abortions, health insurance would cover these types of abortions.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
If an individual is physically suffering due to a life threatening illness, they their wish should be respected.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
in instances of rape, life threatening circumstances involving mother.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
The Government must have fiscal responsibility.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
A simple tax system would generally be structured with a broad tax base with rates that are the same across different income sources or types of expenditure. Progressivity could be embodied in the rate structure (with rates rising with income, as they do now), a basic exemption amount, and the choice of tax base (income, consumption, or another measure), rather than through specific provisions that treat different levels of income and consumption differently. Universal exemptions, deductions, or credits are much simpler to administer than targeted ones.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
If the businesses mentioned encompass medical or health related services that are vital to clients health, I believe that services should be rendered.
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
Our founding founders were faithful. I believe that religion should be allowed in school, prayer should be allowed. The Pledge of Alliance should be recited in school.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None of the entities noted above should be allowed to require vaccinations. There is no circumstance that allows the Constitutional violation of an individual.
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.
B
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
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.
Disagree
I think we have to further investigate the political, military, civil, economic, and religious forces that have divided both parties. Far more emphasis has to be placed on security measures and the use of force than on the peace process and improving peaceful living conditions for both parties. All at the cost of human life of both sides.
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?
Western leaders such as George W Bush, and Tony Blair, have reiterated time and again that the war against terrorism has nothing to do with Islam. It is a war against evil. We have to reorient our counterterrorism focus. Simply arresting and killing the bad guys, is at best treading water; instead, the United States must become more involved in working to stop or at least contain the civil wars that fuel radical movements. Ultimately, the most effective counterterrorism effort could be fostering better governance in troubled parts of the Middle East.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Add more enforcement. Reinstitute President Trump's policies.
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?
The United States is a country of immigrants. This is what makes our country great. However, only those immigrants who enter legally, who will contribute, and who will add to the greatness of our country should be allowed to migrate.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
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 am a Christian, and my core values include: Family; Freedom; Security; Loyalty; Intelligence ; Honesty; Kindness; Teamwork; Courage; Balance; and Compassion
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I have a plan to incorporate a thumb print sensing system when voting, This system would incorporate the electronic access to a person's Social Security identity. This system would eliminate fraudulent voting.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Agree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism and racial discrimination is endemic to every society, around the globe. I do not believe that racism is a threat to domestic security. However, we do have to take a multi prong approach toward discrimination, economic, social, racial, against all discrimination.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Disagree
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.
B
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
From 2020, Dan Elias interview, Jacob Ogles interview
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 have been an advocate for disabled for over 35 years. I founded my non-profit, civil rights, advocacy organization, Advocates for Disabled Americans, Veterans, Police, Firemen & Families, to defend the rights of the vulnerable.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Disagree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
States need to create stronger laws to prevent children from accessing unsecured guns at home by authorizing criminal charges if a gun owner negligently stores his or her gun The purchase of a gun should require background checks.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
