
Rich Van Dam
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Rich Van Dam
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 5
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Emory University, Atlanta, MBA, 2018
Wayne State University, Detroit, MD, 2011
Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MS, 2007
Michigan State University, East Lansing, BS, 2002
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Republican Liberty Caucus of Kentucky
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
WinRed (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
WinRed (2021)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
As a Physician, I am dedicated to protecting life.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Agree
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
We need a Fair Tax which supports the working family, small businesses, and individuals without punishing those that work hard.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
Church has always influenced state, but the separation of church and state is to protect the church from the state.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Never should vaccinations be mandated against someones free will. This is an unethical practice of medicine and unconstitutional. As a physician, I stand against vaccine mandates.
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C.
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.
C. We need to take care of our own borders first and support our Troops.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
We must never turn our backs on Israel.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Continued support of Military Defense, supporting our troops, and continued vigilance to protect America's borders.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Neutral
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigration should follow standardized and fair processes. As President Reagan said, "A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation."
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Critical Race Theory threatens our education system and is centered around shaming children based on their race or skin color. CRT needs to be removed from the curriculum in public institutions.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
We need to bring America back to the values which made it Great: God, Family, and Country. Prior to becoming a physician I went to Bible College and served as a missionary overseas. Christian- Baptist
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
We need a systems in place with can prevent voter fraud and assure the integrity of elections.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Race riots have become a threat to domestic security.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
They are a viable technique in some situations.
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A. Eastern Kentucky has suffered due to many of the environmental laws developed by other states.
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
As a Doctor of Medicine, I care about people and taking care of those in need.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
NewsMax Wake Up America National TV: Kentucky's Doctor Fox News: National Lars Larson
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
RVD for Congress: Dr. Richard Van Dam will be the Cure for Congress which we need.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
As the Medical Director of a State Facility which cares for those with mental health concerns and disabilities, we need to support mental health and community programs, but not at the expense of the Police Department. We need to support our officers now more than ever. Both need funding, but first and foremost we need safety in our communities, and that starts with good funding of our Police Officers.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We must defend our 2nd Amendment Rights in Congress. Our rights are constantly under attack, and I will protect our 2nd Amendment Rights as Kentucky's 5th Congressional District next Congressman.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
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