John Stafford
Democrat | Washington
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John Stafford
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 37 - Pos. 1
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, B.A., 1984
St. Martin's University, Lacey, WA, M.A., 2000
Harvard Extension School, Cambridge, MA, M.A., 2020
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
37th District Democrats, Executive Board Member, Environment and Climate Caucus of WA Democrats
Treasurer, South Seattle Climate Action Network, Steering Committee
South Seattle Emerald Online News Site, Guest Editorialist
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Representative and Senator for WA Legislature, Several Years
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Community Member Endorsements
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Bob Hasegawa (2017)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2019)
Mark Mullet (2016)
Sharon Tomiko Santos (2018)
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 Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I support the right to a woman to choose an abortion.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Neutral
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?
To balance the budget, I support increasing taxes on the more affluent, as well as reducing subsidies for corporations in a variety of industries, including fossil fuel companies,
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.
Disagree
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 Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Neutral
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 governance of the country and the operation of its myriad institutions (e.g., public education, military, etc.) should operate in a manner that provides all citizens with equal access and opportunity, and is not biased in favor of individuals who maintain specific religious beliefs.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Agree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I support a single-payer health care system.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Disagree
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 Disagree
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 Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I support relatively liberal immigration policy, as well as a path to citizenship.
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.
Neutral
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My beliefs are along Christian lines. I attend a church, but am not a member.
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?
Liberal
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Here is my website address, that provides information on my policy priorities: http://www.staffordforstaterepresentative.org/donate.html.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have had two careers. The first was as a partner for a management consultant for an international management consulting firm in Washington, D.C. (ten years). The second is is a a teacher (20 Years). I currently teach AP History for a high school in the Seattle area. I have an undergraduate and two masters degrees. I am on the Executive-Board of the 37th District Democrats, on the board/steering committee of two climate change advocacy groups, and an author of over 40 articles for the South Seattle Emerald, a local online journal.
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 campaign theme is: "Major Structural Change; Not Just Incremental Reforms."
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 Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I support a full range of commonsense gun control measures.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Agree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Implement new source of progressive taxation in Washington State -- preferably an income tax. 2. Multiple measures (including the ban on new internal combustion vehicles in 2030) to address the threat of climate change. 3. Single-payer health care.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism, and more broadly, the unjust economic, political and social systems that are biased against minority communities, represent a significant threat to the domestic security of the United States.
