Mike Monreal
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mike Monreal
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 31
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Texas A&M University, BS, Civil Engineering
Texas A&M University, M.Eng Civil Engineering
WORK & MILITARY
USMC, 2ndLt-1stLt, 1992-1996
US Navy, Civil Engineer Corps, LT-CAPT, 1996-2020
Program/Project Management Company, Construction Industry, Vice President
AFFILIATIONS
Society of American Military Engineers, Fellow, Texas A&M University
Distinguished Graduate, American Society of Civil Engineers, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Robert West
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate completed the Abolish Abortion Texas Candidate Survey source
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe all life is God given and we are created in His image and that life is precious. A medical professional and spouse should make an operating room decision if there is a decision to be made if the life of the mother is at risk - this is an exceptionally rare situation. Other than that situation, I do not believe the taking of an unborn life should be allowed in a civilized society.
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
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
In general, I oppose increased taxes but am immediately focused on property tax relief here in Texas.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would target social programs to source budget shortages. The state of Texas must fund the border wall since the federal government has forsaken their constitutional duty to protect our nation.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
There are no circumstances where government can close churches. Churches are where we go for hope and inspiration - something we all desperately need when facing crisis. Where I find that government tries to circumvent this is by mandating a specific number to which gatherings are limited, this too is a violation of our First Amendment rights.
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
I believe a free market healthcare system can drive down costs and provide the best options as well as attract the world's best and brightest medical professionals. At this point, I believe option C is the best course of action but clearly we need to course correct Medicaid or Medicare and ultimately de-fund those programs once a viable and effective free market is established.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I don't believe the government, schools or employers should be allowed to require vaccinations. It should be up to each individual to assess based on their own health risks. Government mandates for immunizations are government overreach pure and simple. We must prohibit government overreach to protect our liberties.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
This question is a thesis level response since it really involves asymmetric warfare at every level. But I would argue, after a 28-year career in the Navy and having served in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Pacific, as a senior officer, we need to approach the threat from a position of power. With the Biden administration, the US has failed to position itself as a power both militarily and diplomatically. To correct this course our country must elect leaders who will be bold in their positions with Islamic terrorists and ensure they know we will respond in force and with diplomacy and military might if required.
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
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
We must build the wall. I am running for a Texas district that includes the southern border and I have seen the impact of the open borders policy that the Biden administration has allowed. Crime - drug, human, sex trafficking are rampant. The cartels are operating freely and openly on both sides of the border. Farmers don't even replace fences and gates that have been removed by the cartels because of threats to their lives. This is unacceptable in the United States of America. Build the Wall!
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Only immigrants who have been vetted through the existing U.S. immigration policies should be allowed to enter the U.S.. I would argue that the current immigration policies are ineffective and should be revised as they are currently too cumbersome and bureaucratic. We need an improved and swifter process that enables legitimate immigration and dissuades cheating the system.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and believe that the foundations based on Judeo-Christian values and virtues are the bases for our form of government. Our morals as a civilized society are the foundations for decisions that truly benefit our society and create the ability for us to experience true liberty. My values of being pro-life, pro second amendment, religious freedom, and focus on the traditional family are formed by my Christian faith.
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 to legislate the requirement for photo IDs, limit absentee ballots to only those who request them - military, hospitalized, out of town... the voting time frame should be a maximum of 1 week including early voting. Breaking these laws should be a felony rather than a misdemeanor if we are to seriously instill confidence in our election process.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. I believe our country is the greatest country in the world and offers opportunity to all who desire it. By and large, in my life, I have not experienced racism as a minority, but I have experienced tremendous opportunities. This is the America I know and love. There has been and always will be those few who are filled with hate and divisive goals, but if we as a society deliberately focus on our unifying characteristics as Americans, we will achieve the society we desire to live in harmony.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
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. I believe that stricter environmental laws and regs cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. I believe along the lines of Theodore Roosevelt, that considers conservation along with managing the land as good stewards of the resources of our great country.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
I believe hydraulic fracking is a responsible method to extract oil and natural gas resources.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The government exists to serve the people as cited in the constitution, among them are for the general welfare, interstate commerce and for the common defense. We must limit big government to ensure our citizens experience genuine liberty.
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
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Facebook/Instagram: Monreal for Texas House
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?
I am husband and a father. A veteran and patriot. A businessman and engineer. I believe in citizen-legislators with term limits as the founding fathers intended. We must vote out career politicians and replace them with Patriots. I believe in the constitution, the sanctity of human life, limited government, personal accountability, lower taxes and a strong national defense. My priorities are to secure the south Texas border, legislate election integrity, give parents the right to oversee the education of their children and prohibit divisive and questionable theories like CRT, we must create a business friendly environment after the unnecessary shut down of 2020-21 and bring major industry back to the US, we must enable agricultural businesses to thrive and enable the oil and gas industry to rebound resulting in competitive prices at the market for consumers.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
It is our Second Amendment right as citizens to keep and bear arms. This is a constitutional right. I believe there should be no restrictions. However, I encourage gun safety courses for those who are new to firearm use, not as a requirement, but as a safety consideration.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
