Josh Penner
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Josh Penner
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 2
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Saint Martin's University, Lacey, WA, BA - Business & Management Information Systems, 2009
Green River College, Auburn, WA, Associate of Arts, 2006
Sumner High School, Sumner, WA, Diploma, 2000
WORK & MILITARY
United States Marine Corps, Sergeant (E-5), 8
Core Values Consulting, Owner, CEO, 9
AFFILIATIONS
Pacific Northwest Veterans Coalition (PNW Vets), Co-Founder, South Sound Housing Affordability Partners
Steering Committee, Founding Member, King County Veterans Consortium, Co-Chair
Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources Board, Member, Orting Planning Commission (2010-2012)
Member, Puget Sound Regional Council (GMA Board), Member
Pierce County Regional Council, Member, Pierce County Charter Review Commission
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Mayor, City of Orting, 3
Councilmember, City of Orting, 6
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Andrew Barkis
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Representative Andrew Barkis
Orting Police Officers Guild
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Graham Hunt (2016)
J.T Wilcox (2016)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
State Republican Party Organizations (2015)
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?
The very rare circumstance that places the life of the mother at risk.
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?
There is a great deal of wasteful spending in the bureaucracy of the state budget. I've reduced government budgets through improving processes at the city level. An approach that looks at balancing the budget via reducing expenses rather than increasing revenue (taxes) is sorely needed.
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.
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.
Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
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?
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The state/government will not establish a state religion. And the state will not restrict the practice of religion.
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?
I am very interested in the idea of opening up free-market solutions that are able to go across state lines. While the ACA allows for interstate compacts, those are still limited in providing the benefits of economies of scale.
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.
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.
Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Our immigration system places a very high burden on those that wish to immigrate and apply for citizenship while casually looking the other way for those that immigrate illegally. We need to have a more robust application and naturalization process or legal immigration.
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.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
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.
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/orting-cuts-car-tab-tax-while-976-battle-continues/281-1c059837-27b0-45af-b278-79c7d222d3d0 https://mynorthwest.com/1426734/orting-mayor-speaks-out-about-his-own-story-of-abuse-amid-ongoing-controversy/? https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/community/puyallup-herald/article240850111.html https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/community/puyallup-herald/article221625010.html https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/rep-graham-hunt-resigns-over-military-service-exaggerations/
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Elected Experience Mayor, City of Orting; Councilmember, City of Orting; Charter Review Commission, Pierce County Other Professional Experience Veteran, United States Marine Corps - Iraq War; Pierce County Regional Council; Puget Sound Regional Council; Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources Advisory Board; Association of Washington Cities, Legislative Priorities, Policy, and Nomination Boards Education Sumner High School; Green River College; Saint Martin’s University; AWC Certified Municipal Leader Community Service Co-Founder, Pacific Northwest Veterans Coalition (PNW Vets); Crisis Intervention Instructor; Orting Planning Commission; COVID19 Community Relief Coordination; A Founding Member and Steering Committee Member of South Sound Housing Affordability Partners
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?
As the Mayor of the City of Orting, a small business owner, and a Marine, I have always worked to lead with vision and integrity, while bringing people together. That's why I've earned the endorsement of State Representative Andrew Barkis and thousands of voters like you across our district.  As a mayor, I have a proven record of solving problems using common-sense conservatism, including cutting taxes and writing balanced budgets that improve public services and make our community safer by prioritizing law enforcement. I also stood up to Sound Transit and honored the will of the voters by cutting car-tab fees in Orting.   I'm Pro-Life, Pro-Gun, Pro-Liberty. My wife and I have three children, including two with special needs. We know that all life is beautiful and sacred. I firmly believe in our national and state constitutions, including the rights to bear arms, speak freely, and own property. And I believe our precious liberties are inherent, not rationed to us by our government.
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.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No Answer
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
No restrictions on gun ownership protect public safety.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Agree
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?
Budget: Delivering a balanced budget without increasing taxes. I have a demonstrated history of focusing on great budgeting and will continue to do so as your Senator. Public Safety: Improving the support of and funding for additional basic law enforcement academy classes so that we have more Police Officers available. We currently have a severe police staffing shortage. Family: From Sex-Ed to School Choice and even healthcare decisions about our children, the rights of the family are being eroded. I will sponsor or support legislation to restore the choice of parenting to parents.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a scourge that we should constantly be aware of. A threat to any American due to racism is a threat to all of American society.
