Jack Walsh
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jack Walsh
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 30 - Pos. 2
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, BA, 1982
Dixie College, St. George, UT, AA, 1980
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Republican Party, Precinct Committee Officer, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Public Affairs Council, Federal Way Senior Center Food Bank, Volunteer
No Federal Way Pot Retailers, Chair, Federal Way Parks
Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Andrew Barkis
*King County Republican Party
OTHER (1)
Mark Miloscia
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Mark Miloscia
Linda Kochmar, City Council/state legislature
Mark Kopang, Federal Way City Council
Jack Dovey
Bob Celski
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2018)
Teri Hickel (2015)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Linda Kochmar (2020)
State Republican Party Organizations (2020)
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?
Only to save the life of the mother in the very rare circumstance in which that is the only option.
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?
Since I am running for the state legislature, I will only address things on the state level. By law the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget. Due to COVID, creating a balanced budget will be more challenging than ever before. Revenue will decrease and demands will increase. Since 2013, inflation has totaled 7% and average wages have increased 40%, yet the state budget has grown by 80%. A simplified answer would be an across the board reduction of state spending to 2017 levels.
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.
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?
Given that "separation of church and state" does not appear in the constitution, it is regrettable that the courts and society at large have come believe that it is an American principle. The First Amendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Unfortunately it seems that in a supposed effort to separate church and state, Congress, states, local governments, the various levels of bureaucracy and especially the courts have instituted more and more laws and regulations limiting "the free exercise thereof."
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?
This is a complex issue, and I do not have all the answers, but some things that would help us move in the right direction is to not require health insurers to cover things such as abortion and sex change procedures. Letting people shop for insurance across state lines and have individual health savings accounts would also be helpful. Because of the high cost of insurance, I currently am a member of a health sharing ministry.
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.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I will preface this by saying I believe it should be easier to immigrate legally and much more difficult to immigrate illegally. Workers in tech, agriculture and other areas who already have a valid offer of employment should be allowed to immigrate, provided they do not have a criminal record and they agree to be law abiding residents. Political and religious refugees should also be allowed and also must agree to be law abiding residents. This said, I am concerned that there are currently those who have immigrated with a refugee status who should not have been allowed in. There needs to be stricter verification measures. Also, the U.S. should not be the first resort for refugees. Ideally they should be going to countries that are geographically and culturally closer to their country of origin. If any refugees are convicted of a crime they should be deported and not allowed reentry.
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.
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.
Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer, and though I have many weaknesses I try to live my life as a follower of Christ. I believe that one of the greatest gifts that we have received from God is our agency to choose. Satan wants to take away that agency through the power of oppressive governments and addictions such as drugs and pornography. I believe that all people have the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience, so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others. Whether a person is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or atheist, they are entitled to practice their beliefs without interference from the government.
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.
In 2015 and again in 2019, the City of Federal Way placed on the ballot an advisory vote on whether to allow marijuana shops in Federal Way. I co-chaired the first campaign and chaired the second campaign against allowing pot shops in our city. Below are links to an op-ed piece I wrote for the Federal Way Mirror as well as a letter to the editor. https://www.federalwaymirror.com/opinion/do-what-is-right-vote-no-to-cannabis-shops/ https://www.federalwaymirror.com/letters/federal-way-neighbors-have-zero-community-concern/
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Although I have a B.A. in communications, I believe that my life experience in raising a family, working in my church, volunteering in the community and running my own business are the things that qualify me for this position. I have learned the importance of fiscal responsibility in our personal and family lives, in business and in government. I have a great deal of compassion for others, and I have learned that giving people a hand up is much more compassionate than giving a long-term handout. In truth, I feel rather inadequate, and then I look at some others that have been in the legislature and realize that I can do a much better job than what they have done. Most importantly I have learned to be true to my own values.
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 philosophy is that the purpose of government is to protect our rights to life, liberty and property. It is not to control our lives or our businesses or to raise our children. An aim of government should be to help people achieve self reliance, not to create an environment in which people come to rely upon the largess of the government. I do not profess to have all the answers, but I am willing to listen to all sides. I believe that in politics it becomes necessary to make compromises, but I will never compromise my principles or my basic morality.
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 am a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment. Felons should not be allowed to have firearms, and there should be much stronger punishments when they do have them. There must also be safeguards that restrict their possession by those who are mentally ill and are a danger to themselves or others.
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?
-The homeless living on streets and encampments. This is not an issue of housing but of addiction and mental health. Enabling addictive behavior is neither compassionate nor safe for the homeless or the community. Drug, shoplifting and related laws must be strictly enforced. I propose legislation to prevent prosecutors and the courts from continuing the catch and release system presently in place. Addiction recovery and mental health facilities must be made available. Money spent in attempts to treat the symptoms of the problem must be redirected to the source of the problem: addiction and mental health. -Housing affordability. One cause of the escalating cost of housing that can be controlled by the legislature is regulations. Over regulation drives up costs for developers and builders, impacting the cost of housing. Regulations, including the Growth Management Act must reviewed and refined or eliminated. -Taxes. Protecting families against an income tax and other tax increases.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is always evil. Although racism certainly still exists, I believe that institutionalized racism is largely a thing of the past. I believe there tends to be a preoccupation with racism through affirmative action and other programs that actually tend to perpetuate it rather than eliminate it. As did Martin Luther King, Jr., I look to the day when all people "will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Racism will only be a threat if society makes it one.
