Jesse James Vodvarka
Republican | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jesse James Vodvarka
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary, Special HD196
Race
U.S. Representative, District 17
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
LeCordon Bleu Culinary Academy, Pittsburgh, Associates, 2000-2001
WORK & MILITARY
Vodvarka Springs, Shop Worker to Manager, 1991-2026
Juliano's Restaurant, Line cook, 2004-2010
Rotelli's, Head cook, 2001-2003
LaStrada, Line Cook, 2003-2004
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
US Congress, 2020-2026
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Agree
Yes, I believe in all the points from the deceleration of Independence that state “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” I believe our founders would agree with me that Life starts at conception. Life deserves protection, and nurturing to be given the gift of liberty and pursuit of happiness we have in this great country!
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Agree
Yes, if we are going to play God in creating life, we need to take responsibility in protecting it, in any form. It's a simple matter of logic, if any form of life is okay to destroyed, where do we stop? I'm a champion of life in any and all forms.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Part of me says none, but were it rape from a family member that resulted in a pregnancy, that I would have a difficult time arguing with. I empathize with any woman who's ever endured this situation or similar. It's also not as simple as passing a law banning abortion in all cases. There must be mechanisms to support women, give them options. One of my best friends is an abortion survivor where his mother went against the “expert” medical advice given by the doctors to kill him. He's the best!
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Of course not. It's appalling we give taxpayer money in support of this evil killing of life. I want to say this is not position of government, and while I 100% support life, I also feel it's not the position of government to be giving out taxpayer money in support of life either. We just need to give citizens tools in support of life. For example, every child should be wanted and loved. Right now, sadly, we make it easier to kill than adopt. America needs strong families; we must improve.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Agree
Yes, I support this.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Agree
Nope, that's what free enterprise is. Don't like the service or product? Start your own business!
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Look at history to see what that means. The Church being the state owning vast amounts of land and being involved in making political decisions. Or the state in communist countries being the "Church." Both are what our Founders warned us about. Neither is freedom of religion. Yet freedom of religion doesn't mean freedom from religion. Real faith is alive in our homes, in our workplaces, and yes in our government. But our Faith is never to be forced on anyone.
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. There is a lot more that could be said, but we need to take care of our own!
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
100% agree with this. I know people who have had experiences of intellectual property theft by the CCP.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, as an ally in the middle east, maybe our only true ally, our relationship with Israel is very important.
Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security.
Strongly Agree
Yes. 9/11 should be a clear answer to that.
HEALTHCARE
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
B. It's still close right now, neither is a good option. Healthcare needs serious reform!
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Agree
No. To me it seems to serve no legitimate purpose, we have that data, but what are we going to do with it? To me it sounds like it could be used to marginalize and discriminate against people.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Of course, you need to only look at what communism does to a society to see that this statement is true.
People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families.
Strongly Agree
What criteria determines who needs to “pay” more, and who needs to “receive” more? That sounds a lot like socialism, which I don't support. However speaking of relief, there are people that are getting richer via inflation, and on the other hand, hard working people and those with savings are getting poorer-it's a regressive “tax” not many are talking about. It's a discussion we need to have, but I will say it has never and will never work to take from others to give to others via taxes.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
Our business was a Superior Supplier to the Department of Defense and we can't make springs for them anymore because of a regulation. One order we wanted to quote $1 per spring but couldn't because of this regulation ended up bringing $4.44 each! THIS IS A DISGRACE! All of Congress should be working towards an agenda for a balanced budget! We should be looking to save the taxpayers money, not how to keep spending more!
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1- Reform CMMC requirements for Defense contractors. You'll save 10's if not 100's of Billions of dollars! 2- Make government operations efficient. How much is being spent on internal bureaucracy? 3- Simplify laws/regulations. Look at the IRS, it's expensive to operate and doesn't net good results. for US citizens. 4- Spending structure of many agencies - Spend money because it has been budgeted even when not necessary.
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Any hardworking person that loves American and will become a part of it legally. Immigration must be legal and controlled. If we have open borders we are no longer a country. Open borders like what we had during the Biden administration will destroy America! Check Deuteronomy 28:43.
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
No. This should be a simple matter of any city should not be breaking US law.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
100% support this. It's obvious schools have gotten worse with Federal involvement. Locally, people can make the best decision in regards to the education of their children.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Neutral
This would be a case by case basis. My concern would be the conditions that would come with those funds such as a donation. But for foreign students at our schools? That is a good thing, for the funds that support the schools and the students getting to experience our culture.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Agree
Yes, and so do their parents. To give context, I didn't have regular or even somewhat regular access to the internet until I was about 15-16 years old. Today students are given tablets/smart phones at young ages, and what they do with them is probably not always the best use of time. This is also applicable to adults, but for conversation sake, children should have "screen time" limited by their parents first and foremost in my opinion.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I'll echo what my handout flyers I've been passing out have said right at the top which is "Without the 2nd Amendment we have no Rights at all!" Any restrictions have to be very narrow and very clearly defined. Yes, there are some people that shouldn't own a gun, however, if they are that dangerous I'd argue they need to be in prison rather than in society. Remember, the only people who follow gun laws are law abiding citizens.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
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
Conservative with an open mind!
VALUES
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
I strongly agree that anyone who attempts to persuade or whatever other word you want to you use to convince them to have a sex change is a form of abuse. These people are evil! They should be put in jail! Maybe instead of jail they could have the option of being put in a ring with a boxer/wrestler and see how they end up instead. We are either male or female. No one, including the parents should transition their child into a gender other than what they were born as.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
100% agree.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Straight is the gate and narrow's the way! We are all sinners saved by Grace through Jesus' sacrifice for us, by believing in Him and having a personal relationship with Him!
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voter ID is a must! Election day should be a National holiday and mail in ballots should be eliminated because they make it too easy to cheat.
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
In my years on this planet I find it difficult to believe that this has become a question that is being asked today. MEN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN WOMEN'S SPORTS! MEN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN WOMEN'S LOCKER-ROOMS OR BATHROOMS! Common sense has become uncommon if this is not easily understood. If you're for women's rights, this should be easily understood and accepted! I hope my answer and emotion on this topic is clear.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
The most reliable energy sources at the moment are still coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. Which will grow us into the future will probably be a a mix of all three, but maybe new sources will come.
