Gabe Evans

Republican | Colorado

Candidate Profile*

Conservative (Conditional)

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Gabe Evans


Party

Republican


Election Year

2022


Election

General


Race

State Rep., Dist. 48


Incumbent

No


Links

Gabe Evans websitesGabe Evans phones Gabe Evans emailFacebook

EDUCATION

Patrick Henry College, Purcellville, BA-Government, 2009

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Master of Public Policy and Administration, In Progress

WORK & MILITARY

US Army, Captain, Company Commander, 2007-2019

Arvada Police Department, Lieutenant, Watch Commander, 2011-2022

AFFILIATIONS

Harvest Fellowship Church, Member/Contributor

Christian Home Educators of Colorado, Member

Home School Legal Defense Association, Member/Contributor

Heritage Defense, Member/Contributor

Fraternal Order of Police, Member

The Voice of the Martyrs, Contributor

International Christian Concern, Contributor

Family Research Council, Contributor

Wycliffe Bible Translators, Contributor

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Candidate did not provide

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (4)

National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF; *Colorado Citizens for Life; William Estrada; *Stand For Health Freedom

LIBERAL (1)

*Colorado Academy of Family Physicians

OTHER (5)

Kevin Lundberg; Colorado Chamber of Commerce; Colorado Fraternal Order of Police; FOP Arvada Lodge #29; Colorado Young Republicans

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (8)

Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams; Former Adams County Sheriff Mike McIntosh; Mayor of Fort Lupton Zo Stieber; Mayor of Platteville Adrienne Sandoval; Former Mayor of Kersey Tim Phippard

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

Life begins at conception. If the circumstances wouldn't warrant killing a born person, the unborn also should not be killed.

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.

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?

The right to peaceably assemble and worship is an inalienable and constitutional right and shall not be infringed.


NATIONAL SECURITY

What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?

The ideology behind Islamic terrorism is opportunistic and will quickly take advantage of weakness or indecision. Conversely, terrorists respect strength and consistency. My experience as a combat veteran of the Global War on Terror showed me the United States must be firm in opposing terrorism by accurately identifying the religious and cultural beliefs that undergird Islamic terrorism. Cultural and religious practices that promote terrorism must never be excused or equated to peaceful or democratic values. Having the fortitude to identify and staunchly oppose the root beliefs of Islamic terrorism is the first step to defeating it. The second is to speak softly and carry a big stick. "The price of freedom is the willingness to do sudden battle anywhere, any time and with utter recklessness." (Robert Heinlein, US Navy)

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.

Disagree

Islamic radicals have sworn to destroy Israel at all costs. Forcing Israel to make concessions only endangers Israel and will never achieve peace. Israel's right to exist, to establish their own cultural identity, and protect their territorial sovereignty is non-negotiable and must be strongly defended.


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.

Government intervention seldom results in better services. The last decade of government involvement in healthcare has increased deficit spending and price hikes for the consumer, while also reducing the quality and availability of medical care. In the short term, C) will help roll back the bloated healthcare bureaucracy while shrinking costs and improving quality. Longer term, the free market can responsibly provide better and higher quality service than government funded red tape. Wise leadership is needed to develop a practical and detail-oriented transition that provides care for our neighbors (with no breaks in coverage) AND moves our healthcare system away from unsustainable deficit spending and toward a sustainable, ethical, free market based model.

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

While safe and responsible vaccine usage can be encouraged, the choice to receive a vaccine should be left to the individual. Narrowly-tailored exceptions can be considered for people who voluntarily accept high-risk assignments (e.g. soldiers deploying to a combat theater where weaponized Anthrax is a known threat, veterinarians responding to a Rabies outbreak, etc). Religious exemptions should always be available.


ECONOMY

What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?

In Colorado, TABOR (Taxpayers Bill of Rights) and Proposition 117 require the State to submit tax or fee increases to the voters for approval. Unfortunately, Colorado's ruling Left has not followed these laws, resulting in billions of dollars of tax/fee increases without voter approval. TABOR and Proposition 117 don't need to be changed. The State needs to follow them.

What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?

In 1992, Colorado voters passed the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which imposes one of the most restrictive government spending limitations of any state in the nation. I support TABOR. Colorado has enough money, the ruling Left just isn't using it efficiently. The State needs to allocate existing funds toward essential public needs (e.g. roads and bridges) and stop spending money on leftist social programs

Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.

Strongly Disagree


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Strongly Agree

I am of Mexican heritage. Border security is absolutely vital.

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

Anyone who wants to be an American first and "pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America" can immigrate. Narrowly-tailored exceptions can be considered for individual cases of legitimate religious and political asylum.


EDUCATION

I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.

Strongly Agree

With the caveat that many homeschoolers do not want government money or the associated government strings. Homeschoolers should be exempt from any form of government funding.


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 a career police lieutenant, I believe mental health resources also need to be increased, but NOT at the expense of law enforcement.


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. More citizens should consider responsibly carrying firearms for self defense. It improves public safety by making criminals think twice. I believe in this idea so strongly, I teach concealed carry firearms classes.

Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.

Strongly Disagree

Shane (1953 movie) said it best. "A gun is a tool . . . No better or worse than any other tool . . . a gun is as good or as bad as the man using it." People who use guns for illegal purposes need to be held accountable, not law abiding manufacturers or dealers.


ABOUT YOU

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [people] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed . . ." (Declaration of Independence) "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

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

Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).

Eiler, K. (2022). Police Officer and Alumnus Gabe Evans Runs for Colorado House Seat. Patrick Henry College. https://www.phc.edu/news/gabe-evans ***** Ward, B. (2022). Rancher running for the state house. Fort Lupton Press. https://www.ftluptonpress.com/stories/fort-lupton-press,388868 ***** 104.3 The Fan. (2017). Beyond the Badge - Officer Gabe Evans. https://denverfan.com/156696/beyond-the-badge-officer-gabe-evans/?show=comments

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’m running for Colorado State House District 48, which stretches from Brighton to Greeley. I’m a Colorado native, conservative Christian, combat veteran, husband and father, and small business owner. During the 22 combined years I served in the US Army, Colorado Army National Guard, or as an Arvada Police lieutenant, I swore three oaths to uphold and defend the Constitution and care for my neighbors. Tragically, recent policies from the ruling Left in Colorado’s state legislature have handcuffed my ability to serve my community. Crime is spiking, cost of living is skyrocketing, and parents’ ability to select a successful education for their kids is in danger. I’m running for House District 48 because I’m a proven leader. I have two decades of service-based experience and know how to solve the problems that are crippling our families, neighbors, and communities. I stand for freedom, the Constitution, and common sense. I want to earn your vote so I can put my years of experience to work for you at the Colorado State Capitol reducing crime, lowering the cost of living, and empowering parental rights, especially in education and healthcare.


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

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

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.

The 66 books of the Bible are the inerrant Word of God. Matthew 22:37-40: "Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Disagree

A form of ID that is equally as secure as a photo ID can be substituted.

What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?

Voting integrity begins long before election day. Educating children (and not indoctrinating them) will create informed voters who can think for themselves (instead of being told what to think). School choice will improve the education system. Breaking the stranglehold that Mainstream Media and Big Tech have over political messages will ensure honest information is presented to voters. Enforcing the 1st Amendment protection of free speech is vital to fair and secure elections. Election logistics should be transparent so voters have confidence that only lawfully cast votes are counted (and all lawfully cast votes are counted). In Colorado, Senate Bill 22-153 causes tremendous damage to voting transparency. If it passes as currently written (it likely will, but has not at the time this survey was submitted), it should be repealed.


EQUALITY

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

Individuals who are racist exist in America, but the United States is not a racist country. Racism is only a security threat when race-baiters (usually leftists) manufacture and inflame tensions for political purposes. Intentionally dividing communities and inciting race riots for political gain is a domestic threat.

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). As a farmer and former wildland firefighter, I understand the critical importance of protecting our air, land, and water. Modern environmental ideology, however, often fails to effectively care for the environment. Responsibly empowering the free market almost always improves the environment. Examples: 1) Allowing responsible logging and grazing on public lands improves soil health and prevents forest fires by reducing the fuel load. 2) Hunting and fishing provide over $2 billion to Colorado's economy and provide a vital source of funding for conservation.

I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.

Strongly Agree

The US has the cleanest and most responsible technology on the planet when it comes to oil and gas extraction. If we don't produce it here, it will be produced elsewhere in a less responsible (and more expensive) manner. Failure to responsibly promote US energy is a threat to national security, economic strength, and recklessly places oil and gas production in the hands of countries that don't have the same robust environmental protections as the US.

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