Keith Self
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Keith Self
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist.3
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
United States Military Academy at West Point, West Point, NY, BS, Engineering, 1975
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, MA, International Relations, 1981
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, FT Leavenworth, KS, N/A, 1989
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Army, Lieutenant Colonel, 1975-1999
U.S. Army, Lieutenant Colonel, 2002-2003
AFFILIATIONS
Officers' Christian Fellowship, European In-country Coordinator, Smiles Charity
Veteran Selection Committee, U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Advisory Board, Chairman
Prestonwood Pregnancy Center, Board Member, Samaritan Inn, Collin County
Board Member, National Rifle Association, Life Member
Military Officers Association of America, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
County Judge, Collin County, Texas, 2007-2018
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
U.S. Congress, 2002
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (4)
*Donald Trump
Chip Roy
Restore Liberty
*Green Beret PAC
OTHER (1)
Texas Alliance for Life PAC (TAL)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (9)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
Republican Women's Organizations (2023)
We the People Allen PAC (2023)
State Republican Party Organizations (2022)
Allen West (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Club for Growth (2023)
House Freedom Fund (2023)
Jodie Laubenberg (2021)
Empower Texans (2018)
Texas Tea Party groups (2013)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
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.
Choose not to answer
Chemical abortion drugs should be illegal.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
"Elective" means for the convenience of someone with no health implications. Never.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
Yes. This is a national issue that will result in a national role as the drastic implications of the Supreme Court decision become obvious. The abortion industry has gone underground, statistics cannot be gathered, numbers are essentially unknown.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It means that the government cannot meddle, interfere with, or control the exercise of matters of conscience or religious expression. It does NOT exclude the expression of faith from the public square. Conscience is the domain of the individual, not government.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
B, but very selectively. We have to rebuild our allies' trust in America, but if we can do that, we will remain the strongest nation in the Western World. As the world becomes more dangerous, we need allies who share our values.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
It is. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, more of a partner to the US than an ally. The Abraham Accords did a great deal to expand relations between Israel and Muslim neighbors, until the weakness of this administration caused the Middle East to break down. Spiritually, our law is based on Judeo-Christian foundations. The tie for both Christians and Jews to the Holy Land is real and personal to many.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
Young Americans who consider the military want to have a challenge, to belong to something larger than themselves, to contribute to our nation. They do not see that in the woke military more interested in DEI than lethality and service.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Never
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, with reforms to make them true, limited safety net programs for the poorest and disabled. The safety net should be only that, not de facto healthcare for all under various guises. The growth of healthcare costs is the primary driver in the growth of the national debt, much more so than Social Security.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
Stop the overburdensome regulations and taxes on every financial asset. Stop the tax on unrealized capital gains. Reauthorize the expiring 2017 tax cuts.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
ESG is virtue-signaling.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The Biden administration policy is an uncontrolled border, anyone is free to cross, including people who intend harm to Americans. This question asks if the US should do more - the US should do SOMETHING!
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Legal immigration of those who will contribute to our national interests by education or vocation. We should tighten the laws on asylum.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Existing laws prohibit felons and individuals "adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to any mental institution" - 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(4),(g)(4) - from obtaining firearms. I have supported reasonable steps to help fix America's broken mental health system, but only if it does not infringe on the constitutional rights of Americans.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
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?
Conservative
My value system is what I would describe as simple conservative American values. I adhere to a philosophy that embraces less government, fewer taxes, peace through strength, defending life and preserving liberty. There seems to be a concerted effort to redefine these traditional values as something outside the norm, and I am opposed to that. Fighting to preserve the principles of America's Founders is a worthy cause, and one of my motivations for serving in Congress.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect the rights of citizens and defend the sovereignty of the nation.
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
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a follower of Christ. He paid for my sin. I strive to live my life in accordance with biblical values, knowing that I need forgiveness when I fall short. He calls on us to pray for our enemies, to value all life as God does.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly 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.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Fossil fuel is the backbone of energy today, which means it is the backbone of civilization. Natural gas is the wave of the future, although I believe that nuclear energy may gain acceptance in the new small modular reactors.
