Patrick Penn
Republican | Kansas
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Patrick Penn
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 85
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Colorado State University - Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, BS - Sociology / Criminology, 2005
George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, MS - Applied Information Technology, 2013
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Army (Active), Sergeant, 9
U.S. Army (Active), Captain, 11
AFFILIATIONS
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Member - Wichita's Eta Beta Lambda Chapter, Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Volunteer - Sedgwick County, Kansas, Central Christian Church, Teacher - VBS, AWANAS, UPWARD Bball, Sun. School
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
n/a
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
n/a
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 (6)
Family Policy Alliance of Kansas
Jeff Colyer
Kansans for Life PAC
*National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (5)
Chuck Weber
Kansas Chamber PAC
*Kansas Farm Bureau
Sedgwick County Black Republican Council
Wichita Regional Chamber PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Kansans For Life (KFL) https://kflpac.org/announce
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?
I believe all men and women are created in the image and likeness of God and have intrinsic value and inherent dignity across all stages of life simply because of the Imago Dei we reflect as His masterpieces. I believe that life begins at conception and that abortion wrongly ends that life. Life is sacred and as such it is our job to ensure that the most vulnerable among us, including unborn babies, are protected. I will work tirelessly on legislation that would do just that. If elected, I would sponsor of a Kansas Conscience Protection Act, a Kansas Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and the "Value Them Both" Amendment.
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?
I am very interested in finding out what areas of the Kansas budget are not providing an appropriate Return on Investment to taxpayers. We must prioritize our budget, find efficiencies, and pursue a vision of achieving the least mismanaged, bloated government possible so our families, workers, and children can attain the futures for which they work so hard. I will work with any legislators, in good-faith, to reduce the tax burden on our citizens, wherever those efficiencies may exist.
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 can neither establish a state religion/church, nor prefer a certain faith (or non-faith or secular humanist) tradition over and against any other tradition. Government and religion both operate under God's authority but for different purposes. Government exists to establish and promote justice; the church exists to establish and promote grace. I do believe the Church has the responsibility and obligation to inform and impact the greater society on issues falling in the domain of morality, and the government has the obligation to promote righteousness while withstanding wickedness and lawlessness.
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?
The federal government made the mistake of thinking that access to insurance equates to access to affordable healthcare. However, premium costs continue to skyrocket making healthcare unaffordable to individual consumers as well as to small businesses that might otherwise offer healthcare plans for their employees. Healthcare should be returned to the free market system instead of increasing layers of government inefficiency between the consumer and the provider, where competition helps cover pre-existing conditions, provide portability, and mitigate costs. Additionally, the private market can respond best to provide solutions where consumers can dictate the type of coverage and care they prefer.
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?
There should be a lawful, qualifying process that allows contributors to enter and come to the U.S. for the liberty, freedom, and opportunity we offer, but with the express understanding that those liberties, freedoms, and opportunities are accessed through legal immigrants' contributing responsibly and positively to the America with their skills, talents, respect for our culture, and willingness to join us in the true bond of being American.
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 am an active and practicing Christian, born-again as defined in Scripture: empowered by the Holy Spirit through the miracle of Regeneration and having been Justified , I am walking through the process of Sanctification with the hope of future Glorification. My family and faith are the cornerstones of who I am as a person. I believe that my 20-year record of service in the U.S. Army and church reflect this dedication to faith, family, service, religious liberty, and the sanctity of life.
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.
Please see my campaign website at www.patrickpenn.com or on FaceBook at: https://www.facebook.com/patrickpennks/
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I understand authority and submission in the family, church, and military, and also acknowledge my servant leadership is to be used effectively to impact the culture with a Judeo-Christian worldview for the benefit of my constituents. As a retired Army Officer with over 20 years of military service to our country, an Information Technology specialist with BS and MS degrees, and Program Manager in the corporate sector at Textron Aviation Defense, I have made tough decisions to protect future generations and support our economy. Growing up in various, diverse environments in foster care taught me the timeless values which made our state and country strong. I want to continue our pro-growth agenda in the Kansas Legislature to balance our budget, cut taxes and regulations, rebuild our economy, defend the Constitution and the unborn, incentivize small business growth, advocate for free and fair trade, protect our religious liberties, and promote strong Kansan families.
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?
I am working hard and asking for your vote on August 4, 2020 to elect me to represent the interests of Kansans in House District 85 as your next State Representative. I support quality education, am very strongly pro-life, will defend the 2nd Amendment, will cut wasteful spending, and will hold politicians accountable to the People they serve, not rule. I encourage you to join our campaign for restoring decency and integrity to this seat, as we promote our Kansas values of Faith, Family, and Service. You can learn more and donate to help us win for righteousness at www.patrickpenn.com today! God Bless!
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?
As a retired government official I know I have a duty and responsibility to protect and serve the institutions of church and family. I believe the U.S. and Kansan Constitutions enshrine our unrestricted right and duty to protect what I call "the 3Ps and an I" or 3PI: your Person, your People/Family, your Property, and any Innocence you observe under attack or distress.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate received an AQ rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund KS in 2020. https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/kansas/
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?
1. I propose to fortify religious liberties with legislation at the Kansas State level that protects and promotes the ability of the people to spread the Gospel and live out their faith unfettered, even in the public square. This begins with leading the charge on reforming the Kansas State Supreme Court selection process to mirror the Federal Model. 2. I propose and offer a Kansas Constitutional Amendment to protect Life at all stages. 3. I propose a Constitutional Amendment that limits State Spending by adjusting spending commensurate with the increase in population and/or the rate of inflation. To provide predictability and stability to Kansas business and private sector job creators who want to invest in Kansas going forward, we need to shrink the reach and size of government while simultaneously arresting the theft of the prosperity and work of our future generations. We need Priority-Based / Zero-Based Budgeting to control Kansas Governmental Spending.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
As a Christian, a Black man, a former foster care kid raised in the South, and a military member, I have seen much degradation and destruction to personal lives, families, communities, and economies. I see the effects of partiality, greed, fear, and sin; they are universal, indiscriminate, and not monopolized by any one demographic or socio-economic strata. I believe that any "-ism," be it racism, classism, ageism, sexism, etc. is not reflective of who God has called us to be through Christ, nor what kind of society God has empowered us to be through Christ. Some are currently exploiting racism as an irritant to domestic tranquility, but knowing our national capabilities from a military professional perspective, I see no issues with our domestic security.
