Ryan VanGundy
Libertarian | Colorado
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ryan VanGundy
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 19
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood CO, AAS
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy, E-5, 2002 - 2008
AFFILIATIONS
Treevotion, Contributor, LPCO.org
Contributor / Member, Springs Rescue Mission, Contributor
Denver Rescue Mission, Contributor, Fellowship of Christian and Jews
Contributor, Brain Tumor society, Contributor / volunteer
ASPCA, Contributor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
CO House of Representatives District 29, 2020
CO State Board of Education At Large, 2022
OTHER INFORMATION
Ryan Van Gundy completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024.
Van Gundy completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
The Government and Citizens have no right to force or deny medical treatments to anyone.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Agree
I agree to a point drugs should meet safety and efficacy standards, but without permission data should not be collected, gathered, and reported about your personal medical needs.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
There should be no minimum wage. You have a right to seek employment as you see fit. If company A isn't paying you want you deserve then go to company B. Company A will have to raise its wages to compete because they need workers or shutdown.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
No the government should not be picking winners and losers.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
If they are engaging in illegal activity.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
No business or person should be required to provide services to anyone. If the consumer disagrees with your stance or beliefs then they can do business else where. You will need to figure out what is more important having a thriving business or your morals/beliefs.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Only as a last resort and the efficacy of the vaccine is verified.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. They are our number one ally in a hostile region. The world owes a debt to the Jewish people previous generations turned a blind eye to the atrocities of the Nazi party. Now we still sit back and watch as they are persecuted and attacked continuously.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
You can't be a sovereign nation without secure boarders.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
School choice needs to be an option.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Spiritually I am agnostic. If you have a good heart and do good deeds then you can make the world a better place.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
You should need to provide proof of identity and living location.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Disagree
As long as its not mandatory civic duty to vote we cannot rely on a popular vote solely.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
While racism exist its not as big an issue in the US to effect our domestic security. There is always room for improvement and it has no business in a civilized society.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Neutral
There isn't enough information on this issue to state whether they can participate in sports or not.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
Somewhere in between C and D.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear but a robust energy plan with Nuclear, Fossil Fuels, Renewable, with Carbon Capture technology is the most reliable way forward.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The government purpose is to serve the people it represents and protect all the rights and freedoms laid out in the Constitution.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
Depends on what the funds were for. Demilitarizing the police department and refocusing them on crimes where there is actually a victim.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. The 2nd Amendment is clear on this shall not be infringed. However I do think we need to take the rest of the 2nd Amendment just as serious Well regulated meaning people should be trained on firearms (proper handling, storage, maintenance etc).
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Unless they have adequate security where there is no need to carry a gun.
