
Mike Ortega
Democrat | California
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mike Ortega
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 46
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, B.S. Astronautical Engineering, 2013
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Fmr. Pres., South Bay Los Angeles Chapter Founder
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (1)
Progressive Democrats of Benica
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Senator Nina Turner
Marianne Williamson
Progressive Democrats of America - National and Orange County Chapter
Our Revolution Orange County Chapter
Catch Fire Movement
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Courage California (2022)
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 Disagree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Women need to have the right to get an abortion up until the point where scientists agree it is no longer viable. People will get abortions whether you make it legal or not. We might as well make it safe, and not incarcerate people just trying to make the best decision for their families.
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.
Disagree
Spending in the right places is needed, and getting funding from corporations that use loopholes is needed. So reducing spending in general isn't smart.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Higher marginal tax rates.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Agree
No one should be unable to practice their religion safely.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
They should be separate.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
If we are not able to get COVID under control and it gets much worse and deadly. Basically, if it becomes a danger to life on this planet.
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.
A. Universal Healthcare
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.
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.
Agree
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
A nuanced and detailed look into these is needed. A diplomatic solution should be sought after. We cannot forget that major countries are always engaging in these sorts of ventures.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We should work diplomatically with the U.N.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Disagree
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.
Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
People seeking a better life and to live the American dream. We need to cut out unnecessary red tape and inhumane practices in our immigration systems.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Neutral
I don't agree with this description of CRT. CRT is a very academic theory that has been around for a long time inside of insular academic communities. CRT states that quite often, because of our history with slavery, lynching and mass incarceration, people of color in this country today have a harder time getting the same fair shake as other races. This isn't a question of "fundamental" racism. This is question of economic and political power.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in the teachings of many major religions: we all share the miracle of life, and have a responsibility to each other to work towards ending the suffering, immiseration and oppression of all peoples.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
We need to look into accessible voting but also make sure that voting is secure and safe from fraud. That being said, voter fraud has a nearly negligible prevalence in our society when you look at history and the data.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
More polling places, and automatic mail ballots sent to every registered voter. We need to make Election Day a federal holiday.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Agree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
On a micro level, people are harmed and even killed every day because of actions largely stemming in racism handed down from generation to generation.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Disagree
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.
B. And I disagree that the situation necessitates jobs lost. New jobs are needed to create green infrastructure and execute our sustainable energy strategies. I propose a mindful job training program for these workers to transition. Also, we need to make sure that these jobs are union jobs.
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?
Liberal
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://tyt.com/watch/360Y1eH1rZcQzbVH8lISNI/episodes/7ME8hmFmRQFqh1EePX9pDe
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 not taking a dime of corporate PAC or lobbyist money.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Disagree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Those with serious abuses and violent crimes should be restricted from ownership.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Neutral
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