Leon Benjamin Sr
Republican | Virginia
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Leon Benjamin Sr
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
U.S. House, Dist. 4
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Huguenot High School, Richmond, Diploma, 1986
Virginia Union University, Richmond, 1987-89
Rovear University, Petersburg, Masters, 2015
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, 1986-87
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy, Avionics Electronic Technician, 8
AFFILIATIONS
New Life Harvest Church, Bishop, Coalition of Leaders United
President, Richmond City Republican Committee, Former Chairman
Fox and Friends, Trump Surrogate, Fox Business
Trump Surrogate, Heritage Foundation, Member
The Remnant Church, Apostle/Pastor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Richmond City Council, 2016
House of Representatives 4th Congressional District, 2020
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (14)
Mark Meadows
*The New Movement
BlakPac
Rob Wittman
*New Journey PAC
OTHER (2)
Seth Keshel
Veterans For America First
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
(Retired) Lt. General Michael Flynn
BlakPac
Congressman Bob Good
Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears
Former VA AG Ken Cuccinelli
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Allen West (2021)
Jackson Lahmeyer (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2022)
State Republican Party Organizations (2022)
WinRed (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (15)
America's First PAC (2020)
Black Americans to Re-Elect the President (2020)
Bruce Eberle (2020)
Carrie Coyner (2020)
Charles B. & Ann L. Johnson (2020)
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 support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
In an extreme case where it is necessary to save the life of the mother. The goal is to save life.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
The 1st Amendment is essential for the practice and exercise of our right to Religious Freedom. As an elected Congressman, I will fight for the rights of all Americans to practice Religious liberty.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
According to the Constitution, there is no separation of church and the state. A vital part of our life in America is our faith. The state is about serving the people. The church is the people. How can we separate the people we serve from the people we are to be as prescribed by our faith. The two are inseparable.
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.
B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny.
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
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?
Close or block all Jihadist websites, blogs, video, photo and social media accounts that are being used to incite terrorism and recruit terrorists, and secure our borders.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Under no circumstances should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations. Our bodies are the first line of defense for our Freedoms and Liberties.
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) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
Our founding fathers of our Constitution did not design government to decide how much money and family should make. Rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are given by God, but secured by government. Rights come from God, not government.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Some changes that I believe should be made are (1) - lower the corporate tax rate from 28% to %21%; (2)- give credit and deductions for fossil fuel industry and (3) - lower OR COMPLETELY REMOVE the death tax.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Disagree
A nation without borders is at risk of losing it's sovereignty. The wall must be completed around our southern border to secure and protect our National Security.
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?
Refugees will be allowed into the US based on their inability to go back to their home country due to fear of persecution because of their social group, religion, race, political opinion, or national origin. Refugees apply for immigration from outside of the US. They generally do so from a “transition country.” Those who seek to become legal citizens must go through the proper channels to become a citizen of the United States of America.
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
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
We should not defund the police. We must continue to train and educate but fully support law enforcement.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Guns should not be issued to convicted felons, anyone who’s been convicted of a misdemeanor for domestic violence, anyone who is under a domestic violence restraining order that protects an “intimate partner” or child from physical force or threats, anyone who has been committed to a psychiatric institution or labeled mentally ill under a court ruling, undocumented immigrant, those in the country under nonimmigrant visas, illegal drug users, and former military members who were dishonorably discharged.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
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).
https://www.ntd.com/leon-benjamin-on-2020-election-blm_600685.html, https://www.ntd.com/bishop-leon-benjamin-speaks-at-rally-we-know-when-god-tells-us-to-do-something-crazy-it-means-its-going-to-work_539381.html, https://www.survivethenews.com/bishop-benjamin-something-evil-behind-recent-events-in-america-brighteon-tv/
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?
Married 30 years to Maria Benjamin, Pastor 20 Years in Richmond, VA. Launched a new ministry in Tulsa, OK call The Remnant Church going on nearly one year. We must protect and secure our borders and complete the wall. We must secure our elections and maintain election integrity with fair and transparent elections. Parents should have a right to be involved in their children's education on all levels and the money should follow the child. America must maintain peace through a strong national defense.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Although since 1994 Congress have passed laws that have made sexual orientation and gender identity a protected class in non-discriminating laws, we should be aware that our children and women and the most vulnerable should be protected against those who use these laws to hurt, harm and violate the rights of others. All humans deserve to be protected.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a plot and ploy to divide our nation and has nothing to do with race.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe In one God, Maker of all things and being in Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, Became Incarnate, was begotten by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary, and is True God and True Man. The bible, in its entirety, to be the inspired word of god and the only infallible rule of faith and conduct. I believe that marriage is between one male and one female. I believe life begins at conception. I believe that Man: His Fall and Redemption. Man was created upright, for God said, “let us make man in our image and after our likeness, ” But man , by voluntary transgression, Fell and his only hope of Redemption is Jesus Christ the Son of God. I believe in the 1st and 2nd Amendments and the rights described in the Bill of Rights. I believe that our rights come from God and not from government. I believe that all men are created equal by God and have been given unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voter identification is necessary to prevent election fraud and maintain fair and transparent elections.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
The use of paper ballots, photo identification and election day as to election season. No mail in ballots and absentee ballots should only be allowed under mitigating circumstances (like for the military) and verified by a second signature.
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?
The United States is not a racist nation.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
America is rich in natural resources and should be energy independent. As an elected congressman, I will fight to pass laws that keep America energy independent.
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.
A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
