Robert Henderson
Republican | Iowa
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Robert Henderson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 2
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, BS, 1971
Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, MEd, 1973
SUNY - Albany, Albany, NY, EdD, 1984
WORK & MILITARY
35 years as a public school mathematics teacher
10 years as a college football coach
3 years as a regional director for Senator Charles Grassley
AFFILIATIONS
Vernon Congregational Church, Chairman of Worship and Music, First Assembly, Sioux City, IA
Worship Leader, Heartland Community Baptist, Sioux City, IA, Worship Leader
Riverside United Methodist, Sioux City, IA, Director of Music, Whitfield United Methodist, Sioux City, IA
Director of Music, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Sioux City, IA, Spectacular Board member
National Day of Prayer, Sioux City, IA, City event organizer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Iowa State Representative, House District 2, 2
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
House of Representatives, 2016
House of Representatives, 2018
House of Representatives, 2020
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Iowa
OTHER (1)
Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) PAC (IIPAC)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds,
Congressman Randy Feenstra, Iowa House District 4
Iowa State Representative and House majority Leader Matt Windschittl
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (14)
John Wills (2023)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
Skyler Wheeler (2023)
State Republican Party Organizations (2023)
Kim Reynolds (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (7)
Great American Comeback (2023)
State Republican Party Organizations (2022)
Jim Carlin (2020)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
Tom Jeneary (2020)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Iowa Association for Justice (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
Key Votes from Vote Smart
Iowa Right to Life Voter Guide
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Only in the event of serious eminent danger to the mother.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Minimum wage is an incentive for people to enter the workforce. It is not, and should not be considered as a primary source of income for the support of families, though in some instances it might serve for a portion of time in that capacity.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
If what is meant by this question are buildings, only if that building does not meet adequate safety standards. If, however what is meant is a body of believers, only if that body has supported and participated in unlawful activities that are harmful to society.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
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.
My answer closely aligns with selection C above. Medicaid and Medicare should remain, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are needed.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Only if the vaccine has been scientifically tested and proven to be effective to prevent diseases which if left unchecked would seriously put those who are affected and those with whom they associate in jeopardy.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
The only reason that I choose not to answer strongly is that I do not feel that I am an expert on this matter to that extent.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
It is absolutely important for a number of reasons, historical, spiritual, and diplomatically among them.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
Our publicly funded education program was established to provide for the proper education of our people, not for the building of schools, the funding of administrators, even teachers, and especially not for the indoctrination of children. Schools, teachers and administrators and all the related costs are important, but our focus should be on providing a lasting education for our people.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I consider myself to be a born-again evangelical Christian. I believe strongly that our American society, including our system of government is a sub-set of what is found in the Word of God in its original intent.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
It is possible that photo identification would not be available or appropriate in some cases, but those would be exceptions, not the rule.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College is one of the most incredible "inventions" of our founders and it provides for the best method of electing our President.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Actual racism is not a threat. Artificial or invented racism is and one reason is that it takes the focus of our citizens off issues that really are important.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
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
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
Stricter environmental laws that are based on un-settled scientific evidence is clearly a serious cost to our society and culture. I do, however believe that we have a responsibility to continually monitor how our activities (especially new activities) affect our environment and adjust accordingly. I believe that conservative American government has for the most part done that.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe that the most reliable source is fossil fuels of which we have a rich abundance. But, we do have the responsibility to use them in ways that are limited in their harm to our environment which I see that we have done well
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
Never
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To fundamentally administer Natural Laws (God's Plan) for the benefit and order of our society.
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
I consider myself to be conservative (though others might classify me Very Conservative) because I choose not to dismiss the opinions of anyone if I believe they are working for what is best for our State and Country.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
As with any organization, there are some who do not adhere to the philosophies of law enforcement, but I find that to be a very small minority at best. Currently we are understaffed in most departments but that is partly the result of a deteriorating society. Community programming largely come under the heading of giving resources to people rather than helping people become better citizens.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am not a gun owner, and am not as educated on this as I should be. I would believe that there are some "firearms" that are inappropriate for the general use (grenades for example), but I know of no commonly available that are at this time.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
As a former teacher, I do believe that teachers should be allowed to carry guns at school, but not without very serious and extensive training for the purpose that they would do that. I would not like to put anyone in a position to need to discharge a weapon, but if that is needed, advance instruction is necessary.
