John Deffenbaugh
Republican | Georgia
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John Deffenbaugh
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 1
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, B.A. physics, 1970
WORK & MILITARY
USNR, Chief Petty Officer, 22
USAF, Electronic Technician, 4
Horizon Electronics, Operations Manager, 30
AFFILIATIONS
Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church PCA, elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher, Boy Scouts of America
Cub master, Georgia House of Representatives, Representative
Dade County Commission, Chairman, Dade County GOP
Chairman, Wayside Homeowners' Association, President
West Brow Fire Department, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Dade County Commissioner, 1998-2002
Georgia House of Rep, 2013-2018
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2018
100%
2019
82%, 67% (cum.)†
2019
|82%, 67% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Dewayne Hill (2016)
Johnny Isakson (2015)
State Republican Party Organizations (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (26)
21st Century Majority Fund (200 )
Alan Powell (2014)
Bruce Williamson (2014)
ConnectSouth for a Better Georgia (200 )
David Ralston (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (2018)
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
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?
Limit participants in our Medicaid system to those who are at the poverty level.
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?
We are not governed by any particular religion or church. Our U.S. Constitution allows for freedom of religion. This does not mean that our political leaders cannot have or practice the religion of their choice. It is up to voters to select leaders.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
We are personally responsible for our health care through individual or employer health care plans which may require working as we care for ourselves and our families.The Government's role should be limited to regulating the environment for businesses to prosper. The Government has a role as do churches and charitable organizations to provide a safety net for individuals unable to provide for themselves.
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?
Ninety-nine percent should be allowed to immigrate only through our established laws. One percent should be given asylum due to extreme humanitarian persecution.
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.
I believe that a personal belief in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. "In all things Christ preeminent." Col. 1:16 As Justice Antonin Scalia expressed, "The faith that each society places in God, permeates our social interactions and social policies." In George Washington's Farewell Address, he warned that our prosperity depends on religion and morality and without these principles National morality cannot prevail.
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.
My voting record in the Georgia House of Representatives represents my allegiance to my faith and support of The U.S. Constitution and morality for just laws within my state. Georgia Resolution of September 8, 2017, sent to the U.S. Congress and the President of the United States expressing concern for the mental and physical well-being of service members returning from active duty to have an extended time for necessary support to post traumatic stress disorder before re-entry to civilian life.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
My degree in physics has taught me how to think through problems to find solutions. My sales experience has helped me in my interaction with other companies and people to learn the necessity for compromise and understanding differing perspectives. Having served six years as a State Representative has taught me the necessity of building relationships and listening to constituents' needs to bring about necessary resolutions. "Every man I meet is my superior, in that I learn of him."
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 consider myself to be a servant leader and being a good 'listener' is one of my high priorities. Also, I will continue to help my constituents to be informed about state legislation through newspaper articles and radio interviews.
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.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Background checks, looking for mental conditions and criminal records are needed.
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.I intend to propose a bill that would require elementary, middle and high school teachers to teach a curriculum for civics, U.S. history and government. 2.I plan to encourage those working within Walker State 'Faith-Based Prison' to continue and expand their successful rate of recidivism. 3.I plan to assist veterans with any of their state government issues.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism could be marginalized if not for perceived political gain by some.
