Victor Avila
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Victor Avila
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist.23
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Texas - El Paso, El Paso, Bachelors in Criminal Justice, 1996
WORK & MILITARY
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, Supervisory Special Agent, 12
US Federal Courts, Probation Officer, 5 Years
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Parole Officer, 3 Years
AFFILIATIONS
Lifetime Member, National Rifle Association
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Texas Land Commissioner, 2022
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*Patriots United
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Tom Homan, LTG(r) Mike Flynn, Joe Arpaio, Sara Carter, Jaeson Jones, Todd Bensman, Latinos for America First, Veterans for America First
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
Republican Women's Organizations (2023)
Texas Latino Conservatives (2023)
State Republican Party Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Joseph Early (2023)
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
I further oppose the federal government paying to facilitate abortions for federal employees or servicewomen.
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
I do not support abortion when it is not medically necessary or in response to rape or incest, but all drugs should generally be tested and evaluated for safety.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Elective abortions should only be performed when the life of the mother is in danger.
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?
The federal government has a responsibility to protect the lives of unborn children. I believe the federal government should ban elective abortions after 12 weeks. Under the 10th Amendment, States also have a right and a responsibility to enact legislation that would further restrict abortion in accordance with the beliefs and values of those they have been elected to represent.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
We should celebrate and defend the free practice of religion in the United States. While no church should rule over our nation, the Judeo-Christian values upon which the United States was founded are what made our nation great. Our leaders should continue to uphold those values.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
I believe we should all treat others as we would wish to be treated. With that said, the government forcing Americans to violate their religious beliefs violates the principles of both the free practice of religion and the separation of church and state.
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. Throughout modern history, global peace has been underwritten by American strength. But we have seen that strength decline in recent years. Not only is our border being overrun, but our infrastructure is crumbling, our manufacturing capacity has been greatly reduced, and the American People are more divided than at any point in recent memory. That is why we have seen so many conflicts erupt under President Biden's weak leadership. We need to get our nation back on track.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The CCP is without a doubt the pacing threat of our time. Not only because of the threats listed above, but because of their ongoing campaign to influence the minds and poison the bodies of the American people with fentanyl. We need to stop viewing threats through the limits of traditional thinking and start to recognize that the CCP is eroding our nation. We must act decisively to defend our people.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Israel has long been our strongest ally in the Middle East. The cooperative relationship between the US and Israel remains an important asset for the economy and security of both nations. I was in Israel just months before the attacks and saw firsthand how seriously they treated the threats around them. Security assistance sent to Israel is both needed and well-used. The United States must continue to stand with our allies, including Israel.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
There is no doubt that Joe Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan undermined confidence in our military at home and abroad, despite the valor of our servicemen and women. It is truly our leaders who failed them and not the other way around. But just as importantly, thanks to left-wing media and propaganda in our education system, patriotism is at an all-time low. Young Americans are being taught that America is not worth fighting for. We need to re-establish patriotism in our youth.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I oppose mandatory vaccines. Your healthcare decisions should be between you and your doctor. Mandating vaccinations has proven both ineffective and detrimental to trust in American institutions.
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.
Answer C most closely represents my views. Those who have paid into Medicare should absolutely receive the benefits to which they are entitled. The changes made to Medicaid by Obamacare have proven disastrous for private insurance markets and have also led to significantly worse treatment outcomes for Medicaid recipients. We should make reforms to both programs in order to lower costs while maintaining or improving the quality and availability of healthcare, particularly in rural areas.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
Putting money back in the pockets of taxpayers is at the heart of my economic agenda. I believe we should cut taxes on the working class and eliminate cumbersome and unnecessary regulations that decrease competition, driving up prices.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
Millions of Americans choose not to go to college, and pursue other necessary careers. Moreover, millions more paid in advance through military service. It is unfair to all of them, and to those who chose financially responsible education options. Those who would most benefit from student loan forgiveness are doctors, lawyers, and other professionals who made that investment in return for lucrative careers. Working-class Americans should not have to pay others' debts.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
Taxpayer dollars should go where they generate the greatest value for the taxpayer. ESG ratings are not concerned with that in the slightest and should not be part of the criteria.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
As a retired ICE Special Agent, I have seen the dangers coming across our border firsthand. I have freed victims from human trafficking, dismantled drug smuggling operations, and even arrested corrupt US officials. The dangers are very real and very present throughout TX-23 thanks to Biden's Open Border policy. I strongly support a return to President Trump's successful policies and have been endorsed by many of the leading voices on the issue.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I am proudly the son of two legal immigrants from Mexico. My parents love this nation and are proud to be Americans. They came here to work hard so they could provide their children -my sisters and me- a better life. That is the spirit of the immigrants who have made this nation great throughout our history. We should expect those who wish to immigrate today to have the same spirit. Our immigration process should encourage assimilation and personal responsibility.
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
I believe in keeping our communities safe. I was a Law Enforcement Officer for two decades and will always support our police.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe the Second Amendment is clear: the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. I am proudly a Lifetime Member of the NRA and set the world record for the longest handgun shot. I proudly support the Second Amendment. Furthermore, we should abolish the ATF and return their resources to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to focus on transnational weapons trafficking.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
Packing the Court is a short-sighted and terribly misguided idea. Instead of expecting the Supreme Court to make political decisions for us, we should instead demand Congress do the job we sent them there for by making these decisions themselves.
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?
Very Conservative
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The Constitution is clear: our government exists to protect our fundamental rights. Every action taken by our government should keep this purpose in mind.
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. I have dedicated my life to keeping our community safe as a Law Enforcement Officer.
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 Catholic.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
A government-issued photo ID should be required to vote. We should further prohibit irresponsible laws such as ballot harvesting and place a much greater focus on securing our elections.
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College is essential to ensuring rural Americans, who are vital to our nation, are not shouted down by the residents of a few cities. Our founding fathers got it right, and the Electoral College has worked for centuries. Abolishing it is a terrible and short-sighted idea.
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
I strongly oppose CRT and believe it should be banned in schools. It is a corrosive ideology poisoning the minds of American children.
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.
Disagree
The so-called "urgent political action" to address climate change by the Left is more often than not just an excuse to implement socialist economic policies. In their eyes, climate change is the result of capitalism, and that is just not true. We can maintain a strong free-market economy while encouraging more sustainable practices. It is better for us to encourage and reward innovation in this area rather than imposing heavy-handed and misguided government regulations.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
The United States should end the unnecessary restrictions on the production of oil and natural gas implemented by the Biden Administration. The US has the natural resources to not only be energy independent, but an energy exporter.
