Taylor Venus
Republican | Oklahoma
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Taylor Venus
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 40
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Oklahoma State Unversity, Stillwater, Oklahoma, B.S Finance; B.S. Economics, 2012
University of Oklahoma College of Law, Norman, Oklahoma, J.D., 2016
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, MBA, 2016
WORK & MILITARY
Long, Claypole & Blakley Law, PLC, Attorney, 2018-Present
Mitchell DeClerck, Of Counsel, 2016-2018
Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Legal Extern, 2015-2016
University of Oklahoma Foundation, Legal Extern, 2015-2016
AFFILIATIONS
Enid Public Schools Foundation, President, Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce
Board Member, City of Enid's Vance Development Authority, Trustee
City of Enid's Board of Adjustment, Board Member, City of Enid's Meadowlake Golf Course
Board Member, Oklahoma Bar Assocition, Young Lawyer Division, Board Member
Enid Young Professionals, Board Member, Garfield County Republican Party
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State House District 40, 2018
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights
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?
As limited as much as possible so that we can save all lives because the unborn life is just as viable as the born life. I can't stand abortion but I believe the only reasonable time to have an abortion is when if without an abortion it is going to result in a net loss of life to the mother and the unborn 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?
At the federal level, we probably need to see across the board spending cuts, tailored with more efficient regulatory systems to provide the most efficiencies in our taxpayer dollars.
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.
Neutral
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?
I believe we are starting to see it get back to the original meaning. Too many people see it as "freedom from religion" instead of "freedom of religion" in our country. Religious liberty is a bedrock principle of our country and we have have constantly seen infringements on this claim but we have made great strides in last decades into safeguarding our initial principle.
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?
(1) Decrease the regulatory cost that we see in the industry; (2) Pursue transparency in the industry so that pricing is known before pursuing options; (3) Promote more preventative total healthcare to lower total costs; (4) Utilize technology to make it easier for doctors to see patients in rural communities; (5) Incentivize doctors to live in rural areas to hopefully increase rural healthcare outcomes; (6) Allow more options for individual healthcare insurance so people have a broader range of choices; (7) Work with other states and the federal government to investigate pharmaceutical costs.
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?
I believe if someone has been properly vetted for public safety purposes; that they are willing to come here with the belief of what america was built on and want to uphold our system; and they are willing to work hard to be a betterment to society then we should give them the ability to immigrate for a set term then evaluate if they have the option to stay.
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 Christ dies for our sins and that without a sincere belief in his sacrifice on the cross that you will live an eternity in hell. My values are based on that the scripture is God-breathed and that I should be utilizing my relationship with Christ and God's word to be more like Him daily.
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 believe my videos and information on my Facebook, my information on my website, and if someone would like to discuss my issues that I am readily available to discuss any issue in person or by any means of preferred communication. Furthermore, I believe we see different definitions for conservatism which can lead to misinterpretations of what the value and intent means.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I believe growing up as the average Oklahoman in a single parent household and working hard to continue to better myself with my passion to make this easier for any person, no matter what socio-economic structure, qualifies me to run. I want everyone to have an option to fulfill their desire in life, if they are willing to work hard, because that is what I consider the American Dream. Outside of that I believe my experience as an attorney and working in our community to constantly make our community a better place qualifies me to run. I am principled in my desire to only work for the people in my house district and my belief is to do what is best for them first, and foremost.
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 main goal is to listen to my constituents. I want to keep them informed about what is going on at the capitol so I can get the best input back on how they would like me to serve and represent them. I want people at the capitol and around the state to know that when I am voting, that I am voting as the collective voice of everyone on my district because I've done all I could possibly do to get input from the hardworking people back home.
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?
I believe our current system in Oklahoma is great in that anyone can own a gun outside of folks that are felons, have severe metal issues, or commit violent acts.
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): Taxation because taxation should be fair for all people and fair for each industry. (2): Healthcare specifically on promoting preventative healthcare measures because they will improve quality of life and save taxpayer dollars. (3) Economic development so that people in our district and our state will have more opportunity to provide for their family and hopefully when they succeed in a certain field that they will be able to stay in Oklahoma.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes, we have seen time and time again in our country when different groups believe that another race or group is not of equal value that it results in severe acts of violence and domestic terrorism.
