Doug Townsend
Republican | Colorado
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Doug Townsend
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Senate, Dist. 31
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Ball State University, Muncie, IN, 1980
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Board of Education, MSD of Pike Township Indpls IN, 1988-92
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Mayor, Indianapolis, IN, 1991
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Colorado
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Governor Bill Owens
Republican Liberty Caucus of Colorado
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.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Only in the case of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
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?
Colorado is required to, and does indeed have, a balanced budget every year. So this question as it relates to my campaign is how would I prioritize spending. The answer is longer than I have space to respond. Suffice it to say that I believe the role of government is to protect and support the rights and liberties of our citizens and to empower every person to pursue their personal American Dream. The allocation of budget dollars should be consistent with this overarching concept.
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.
No Answer
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 historical concept is widely misunderstood. There is no formal doctrine of separation of church and state in our founding documents. This phrase was written by Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Assoc of Connecticut to address their concern that the government was becoming too involved in the practice of religion. It was NOT a statement that religion has no role in the public affairs of Americans. The first amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...." Both parts of that amendment must be respected in our society.
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?
Healthcare must be addressed in a multi-faceted approach. First, the cost of care itself must be lowered by reviewing and eliminating government imposed restrictions, fees and taxes that drive up the cost of care. Second, the cost and availability of health insurance must be addressed by reducing the number and scope of required covered services and also requiring that group coverage can be converted to an individual policy upon a covered individual ceasing to be a member of the covered group. Third, the drivers of the increased utilization of health care services must be studied and addressed to reduce the overall need for services.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
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.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigration falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal government. As I am running for the Colorado State Senate, my efforts are focused on issues that are properly managed at the State level.
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 am a Christian.
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.
See my positions on various issues as published on my web site www.dougtownsendforyou.com.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a certified public accountant, chief financial officer and a former school board president. I understand how increasing taxes negatively impact the personal budget of our citizens. I understand how over regulation and taxation of our businesses limits their growth and job opportunities for our citizens. I understand that education happens in the classroom and, most importantly, in the home and that local and parental control of education is essential to ensuring that our children are able to take advantage of the opportunities that lay ahead of them.
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?
My website, www.dougtownsendforyou.com, includes additional biographical information as well as detailed discussions of my positions and proposals on a number of important issues. I strongly encourage everyone to visit in order to learn more about me and my campaign.
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?
Guns should be kept out of the hands of convicted felons and those who suffer mental health issues. Beyond that, I believe that expanded gun ownership will ultimately increase the safety and well being of our citizens.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
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. Restoring fiscal responsibility for the State of Colorado by protecting & strengthening the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and reducing the use of enterprises as work arounds to TABOR. 2. Creating a true pro-business environment within Colorado by reducing legal & regulatory oversight and constraints mandating how business owners must conduct their businesses. 3. Restoring parental & local control over K-12 education and getting the State Department of Education out of the business of micromanaging the education of Colorado’s children. This will reduce waste of taxpayer’s dollars on central office and administrative functions allowing this money to be focused on the front-line education of our children.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I do not believe that racism is a threat to domestic security. I do believe that certain organizations have agendas to radically alter the social and economic structure of the United States under the guise of fighting to end racism and that those organizations are threats to our domestic security.
