Andres G. Pico
Republican | Colorado
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Andres G. Pico
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 16
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, BS Business Administration, 1973
Salve Regina, Newport, RI, MA, 1985
Naval War College, Newport, RI, MA, 1991
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy, Commander, 21
Serco, Project Lead, 16
AFFILIATIONS
Knights of Columbus, various, Coalition for a Conservative Majority
co-founder
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
City Council, 7+
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (2)
Colorado Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Colorado
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Sen Bob Gardner
Rep Shane Sandridge
Rep Tim Geitner
Rep Terry Carver
Regent Chance Hill
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)
Janak Joshi (2017)
Larry Liston (2017)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
Mark Waller (2008)
State Republican Party Organizations (2009)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
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?
Abortion should not be allowed. In order to save the life of the mother all efforts should be made to save both lives.
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?
Non-essential programs that do not directly deal with those responsibilities of the state. School spending should shift back to local control. Unfunded mandates by the state on local jurisdictions should be prohibited. Taxpayer funding of abortions should be prohibited and state support for Planned Parenthood should be eliminated.
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?
The government is prohibited from infringing on the free practice of religion and prohibited from establishing a state religion. This means the government must not prohibit religious institutions from practicing their faith or holding their values. Vouchers should be allowed for parish schools.
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?
Repeal the Unaffordable Care Act for a start. Allow private insurance to provide coverage plans tailored to the individual and allow individuals to select what they want covered. Allow insurance plans across state lines and expand Medical Savings Accounts. Allow tax deductions for insurance premiums for individuals just as is allowed for businesses in order to shift from employer based medical insurance coverage to individual based. This will prevent loss of medical coverage when changing jobs.
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?
Immigration should be open to those who want to come but limited in numbers to what can be absorbed. Immigrants absolutely should come through the legal process. Restrictions on immigration from hostile countries should be restricted with any allowed having gone through a security background check. Those with criminal records should not be allowed to immigrate. Immigrants should have skills and demonstrate the ability to become self-sufficient and not dependent on long term government assistance.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
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 am a practicing Catholic.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I have a strong conservative voting record while on City Council and co-founded Coalition for a Conservative Majority, Colorado Springs. I am active in conservative groups and have been a precinct leader in the Republican Party for over 20 years. I am a Life Member in the NRA and have been for 30 years.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
BS in Business Administration with an emphasis on transportation and public utilities. This gives me the academic background to deal with transportation and utility issues at the state level. MA in National Security Affairs included sections on strategic planning and government program economics which is directly applicable to state planning and budgeting.
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?
The current economic crisis that is impacting the state because of the COVID-19 Pandemic has gone well beyond what was reasonable based on the numbers. While a serious crisis requiring serious actions, the wholesale economic devastation from mandatory and arbitrary closures of businesses is destroying people's lives. A more balanced approach and reliance on people's voluntary measures is needed. We can trust our people to do what is needed and develop the innovation to deal with this crisis. Every business and every job is essential to someone and the arbitrary selection of what economic sector is allowed and what is not has been devastating and inconsistent. This is not sustainable. Economic recovery and preparing for the future are my highest near term priorities and protecting your freedoms is one of my core values.
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?
The use of the insta-check system by gun dealers to ensure those with criminal records and severe mental health issues are barred from purchasing firearms. This should NOT extend to private sales.
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?
Born Alive act in order to protect the life of those born. Require abortionists to have hospital admitting rights. Sponsor repeal of abortion in Colorado Repeal the carbon reductions and renewable energy standards in Colorado. Allow all forms of energy to compete on an equal economic basis with environmental controls limited to real pollution with direct scientific basis. Shift PERA to a defined contribution plan for future employees.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
It is a threat but not as many people see it. The racism of government dependency based on race holds groups in poverty and generational dependence. Economic freedom, respect for private property and equal standing before the law are essential to building economic freedom and security for everyone.
