Craig Williams
Republican | Iowa
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Craig Williams
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 6
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Bradley University, Peoria, BS Operations Management/Information Systems, 1984
Jefferson HS, Rockford, HS Diploma, 1981
WORK & MILITARY
Williams Consulting – Agriculture, Owner/Operator, 1/08-Present
Renze Seeds – Division of Dow Ag, General Manager, 3/8-5/15
Stauffer Seeds, Director of Midwest Operations/General Manager, 1/4-12/7
Channel Bio Corp, Director of Operations, 5/98-12/03
AFFILIATIONS
Carroll County Republican Central Committee, Chairman, Republican Party of Iowa
Treasurer, Iowa Republican State Central Committee, Member - (Board of Directors)
King for Congress, Treasurer, Iowa 4th District Executive Committee
Chairman, Republican National Committee, Delegate to National Convention - 2008
Republican National Committee, Alternate Delegate to National Convention - 2016, Iowa Masonic Lodge
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Treasurer - Republican Party of Iowa, 2010-2012
Iowa Republican State Central Committee, 2010-2012, 2014-Pres
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
John Werden - Carroll County Attorney
Ken Pingrey - Carroll County Sheriff
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2018)
Mark Segebart (2012)
State Republican Party Organizations (2008)
Steve King (2013)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2017)
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?
None. There were more than 862,000 abortions in the US in 2017 - Over 3,300 each business day. In no case is it or could it be the fault of the child. Killing an innocent life will not fix the problems. I am not God and do not know all the answers to life's problems, but if I am to err, I will err on the side of the innocent life of the child.
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?
Elected officials need to be good stewards of taxpayer money. That means limited government, limited spending, and responsible accountability. The Iowa Senate has 50 state Senators so this seat has a 2% voice in this matter in one of 2 chambers. In order to reduce wasteful spending, we have to point it out, get 25 other Senators to agree on it and then a House to agree as well. I won't list individual items but will promise to be a good steward of taxpayer funds.
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.
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?
This is nowhere in the Constitution. The concept, however, should be to keep the state out of the church - not keep God out of the state. We can still render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, but I won't hang up my belief in God walking into the Senate chamber.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I don't believe it's the government's responsibility to provide healthcare coverage. It is the government's responsibility to clear the way for businesses to provide insurance. When the government gets involved, the costs go up and the quality of care go down.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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?
This is federal law and not state law. It doesn't matter what my opinions are here as I can't write legislation that would have any bearing on immigration. But, since you asked; Almost all Americans are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants. I get riled when anyone deletes the word "illegal" from an immigration stance. This is a country of laws and there are plenty of laws already spelling out who can come to this country and how to go about doing it. It's the enforcement of those laws that is an issue.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school through 8th grade. I've attended Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and other denomination churches for extended periods. I am a firm believer in God and pray multiple times daily before every meeting (and during most) for God's guidance. My wife and I will celebrate 35 years of marriage this May. God blessed us with 2 incredible children who are now both married and parents to our wonderful grandchildren. I often tease my dad that I had better children than he did; My brother disagrees. Family is my first priority and obligation to God. We believe in personal responsibility and treating others as we wish to be treated.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
http://williamsforiowa.com/carroll-county-republican-party-chair-brings-fiscally-conservative-approach/ https://www.kimt.com/content/news/Even-as-some-cringe-Rep-Steve-Kings-support-may-endure-545214671.html https://www.dropbox.com/sh/saltphrxlg334zh/AABk7eDSlCi3R9Z_amsVw3Pna?dl=0 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157831981685816&set=a.10150308784505816&type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/Williams-for-Iowa-105310477673365/?modal=admin_todo_tour
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have been in agriculture business for nearly 30 years, responsible for budgeting, finance, marketing, sales, operations, production, customer service, hiring and firing of personnel, etc. I was the Director of Operations for Channel Bio (now a part of Bayer) and general manager for a division of Dow AgroScience (now part of Corteva). Today I run my own business as an independent consultant for ag businesses and work with small, family owned operations to the largest of multi-national companies. I help companies organize and think through how their strategies of getting products into the hands of growers. I spend my days talking with farmers, seedsmen, retailers, coops and manufacturers seeking insights and understanding how the markets function. I read and often draft agreements between companies. I am chairman of our County Republican Central Committee, former Treasurer for the Republican Party of Iowa, a long term member of the State Central Committee and other political orgs.
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 work hard and always have. I listen intently, study issues, pray for wisdom and make recommendations for a living. We are in the midst of the Corona virus which has caused unprecedented issues at every level of our society. We'll come out the other side of this and need solid, experienced and ethical leadership to navigate through a plethora of issues we've never thought of before. I believe I am the right person at the right time to represent Senate District 6 in Iowa. I would be very grateful for your support and consideration.
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.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Very few. I have a number of guns myself; none of which have ever been used in a crime and, God willing, will never be used against any human being. Most gun laws only serve to restrict law abiding citizens from exercising their Constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Criminals don't care what the restrictions are.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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?
1) A child's right to be born. 2) Regulation reduction. 3) Tax payer relief.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
The term "racist" is so misused today that its meaning has been watered down. This is particularly unfair to those who actually DO experience racism on a regular basis. Regardless, the question is if racism is a threat to domestic security or not. Off hand, I'd say 'no' in terms of racism that exists within the US. But there is hatred of the US by other countries is certainly a threat to domestic security. Some countries have frequent marches in the streets yelling, "Death to America."
