Keith Truenow
Republican | Florida
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
Keith Truenow
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist 31
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Leesburg High School, Leesburg, Diploma, 1987
WORK & MILITARY
United States Air Force, Enlisted Airman, 1987-91
AFFILIATIONS
Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Council, Past Chairman, Lake County Fair Association
Board of Directors, Lake County Farm Bureau, Board of Directors
Turfgrass Producers of Florida, Board of Directors, Boy Scouts of America
Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
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)
*Florida Family Action
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (3)
Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida
Associated Industries of Florida PAC
Florida Chamber of Commerce
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Peyton Grinnell Lake County Sheriff
Leslie Campione Lake BCC Chairwoman
David Jordan Lake Co Tax Collector
Carey Backer Lake Co Property Appraiser
NRA
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.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
My initial response is; under no circumstances. However, I am conflicted over the circumstances of rape and incest. As a social libertarian, I have reservations of this issue and other issues of morality being decided in a legislative venue.
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?
Florida's Constitution requires an annual balanced budget.
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?
The Establishment Clause in the Bill of Rights is self-explanatory. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." That is too say, we have a right to worship as we choose without the government interfering in any way.
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 believe the impetus for this rests with the private sector and not the government. Government should see that regulatory hurdles which impede the private sectors ability to provide such coverage be minimized. Perhaps government could offer incentives to private sector providers.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
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.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigration to the U.S. should be available to any individual who enters the U.S. in accordance with our laws. The operative phrase being: in accordance with our laws.
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
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.
Those with whom I have had long term relationships (see endorsements) and organizations which have vetted me and subsequently endorsed me are all noted for their social and economic conservatism.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a background that will prove to be invaluable. I graduated from Leesburg High School when I was seventeen and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Following my military service I returned home to Lake County and my agricultural roots. After being well schooled in agribusiness I later founded Lake Jem Farms based in Mt. Dora. I have been a part of the business landscape in our community for over two decades providing hundreds of jobs and opportunities for employees and their 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?
My beliefs are built on a foundation of family, faith and service to my country and community. I am a forth generation farmer married to a fourth generation farmer. My wife is also a pharmacist of twenty five years. we have two teenage sons of whom we are very proud. So as your representative in the legislature, What do I bring to the table? 1) I believe in principle centered leadership. 2) I bring leadership as evidenced by my role in the organizations I have served. 3) I bring the same work ethic that was necessary to succeed in my agribusiness. 4) I bring a devotion to duty that was instilled in me first by my parents and then by the United States Air Force. Regarding my value to the legislative process, at a time when Florida's economy and natural resources are at a critical stage. I believe my background will prove to be invaluable. I pledge that I will take a common sense approach to problem solving and keep Florida families first! Keith Truenow
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Agree
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?
Background checks as they currently exist are sufficient. It may sound trite but society's current problems are attributable to social dysfunctions and can not be fixed by infringing on Second Amendment rights.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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?
Legislation which: Promotes and funds vocational education. Enhances Veteran services. Creates jobs and diversifies Florida's economy.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a continued threat to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...our God given and guaranteed rights. The current violent response to racism is an even greater threat. There appears to be an absence of intellectual honesty in discussions regrading equality and root causes of inequality.
