Richard Santos
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Richard Santos
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist 36
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Trident University International, Cypress, CA, MBA
Eastern Oregon University, LaGrande, OR, BS
Savannah Technical Institute, Savannah, GA, AA
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy, LT - Officer in Charge, 12
US Army, Specialist, 8
AFFILIATIONS
City Church, Group Leader, Boy Scouts of America
Adult Leader, City of Sanford, Baseball Coach
The Masters Academy, Football Coach, Seminole County Republican Executive Committee
Precinct Committeeman, Combat Connect, Board of Directors
Crown Colony Homeowners Association, Board of Directors
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida
Stand For Health Freedom
OTHER (1)
David Dwyer
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Fraternal Order of Police
Individuals: Sheriff Kevin Beary (Ret.), Representative Eddie Charbonier (PR House of Representatives), Lt. Colonel Stuart Scheller USMC, Platinum Country Recording Artist Eddie Montgomery
Restore Liberty
Stand for Health Freedom
Florida Freedom Keepers
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Not a single penny.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Not a single penny.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
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?
We need to move away from an income tax to a consumption model, like the Fair Tax.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
We need to move away from an income tax to a consumption model, like the Fair Tax.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would eliminate anything that is not required by the Constitution. I would propose we go to a zero-based budgeting model and cut any and all spending that is not absolutely necessary. I would also not spend money we don't have.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would eliminate anything that is not required by the Constitution. I would propose we go to a zero-based budgeting model and cut any and all spending that is not absolutely necessary. I would also not spend money we don't have.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
No, but I would expand access to trade schools and critical occupations that benefit the economy as a whole on a case-by-case basis.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
No, but I would expand access to trade schools and critical occupations that benefit the economy as a whole on a case-by-case basis.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with individuals and businesses being able to use the Constitution as their guide when making decisions like this. The Constitution doesn't require that an individual or business set aside their own convictions to accommodate others.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with individuals and businesses being able to use the Constitution as their guide when making decisions like this. The Constitution doesn't require that an individual or business set aside their own convictions to accommodate others.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
NEVER.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
NEVER.
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 in patient-centered health care based on a free market. This will encourage competition and lower costs. Government run healthcare is inefficient and substandard, as evidence by the experience of numerous countries around the globe. Medicare is in serious need of reform and I would support Medical Savings Accounts.
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 in patient-centered health care based on a free market. This will encourage competition and lower costs. Government run healthcare is inefficient and substandard, as evidence by the experience of numerous countries around the globe. Medicare is in serious need of reform and I would support Medical Savings Accounts.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
NONE.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
NONE.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We need to start with not focusing so much on political correctness and offending people, and we need to value American lives. We need to take the gloves off and systematically dismember, destroy, and eliminate those who seek to hurt us. We could also avoid many of these problems by focusing on our own national security and quit concerning ourselves with the affairs of others and indiscriminately involve ourselves in foreign wars.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We need to start with not focusing so much on political correctness and offending people, and we need to value American lives. We need to take the gloves off and systematically dismember, destroy, and eliminate those who seek to hurt us. We could also avoid many of these problems by focusing on our own national security and quit concerning ourselves with the affairs of others and indiscriminately involve ourselves in foreign wars.
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
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
There is a national security crisis at the border, and we have no idea who or what is crossing into the United States illegally.
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
There is a national security crisis at the border, and we have no idea who or what is crossing into the United States illegally.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I support legal immigration.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I support legal immigration.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
Public schools are a government funded monopoly that do not always meet the needs of all our students. Our schools should be laboratories of innovation that foster competition and teach critical skills necessary to keep the United States relevant on the world economic stage.
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
Public schools are a government funded monopoly that do not always meet the needs of all our students. Our schools should be laboratories of innovation that foster competition and teach critical skills necessary to keep the United States relevant on the world economic stage.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
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 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
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
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 who believes in the fair treatment of all.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian who believes in the fair treatment of all.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
You need a photo ID to board an airplane, rent a car, and to prove how old you are to buy certain things. Voting is a sacred right. Requiring ID makes sense.
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
You need a photo ID to board an airplane, rent a car, and to prove how old you are to buy certain things. Voting is a sacred right. Requiring ID makes sense.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
1. No mail in voting, only absentee voting. Absentee ballots should be for those who they were intended for (military and people who can't physically get to the polls. 2. Paper ballots 3. No drop boxes.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
1. No mail in voting, only absentee voting. Absentee ballots should be for those who they were intended for (military and people who can't physically get to the polls. 2. Paper ballots 3. No drop boxes.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I do not subscribe to this fallacy. What is a threat to domestic security in our country is anyone who does not follow our laws and hurts other people, irrespective of race.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I do not subscribe to this fallacy. What is a threat to domestic security in our country is anyone who does not follow our laws and hurts other people, irrespective of race.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
This is the year 2022. Calls for reparations are excuses. No one currently living is responsible for righting the wrongs committed by long dead slave owners, and all this would do is further divide us as a nation.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
This is the year 2022. Calls for reparations are excuses. No one currently living is responsible for righting the wrongs committed by long dead slave owners, and all this would do is further divide us as a nation.
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.
I believe in balance. I don't believe in raping the planet for profit any more than I believe in stopping economic progress. We CAN develop responsibly and be good stewards of our natural resoures.
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.
I believe in balance. I don't believe in raping the planet for profit any more than I believe in stopping economic progress. We CAN develop responsibly and be good stewards of our natural resoures.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
We have the means to be energy independent. We already were energy independent. Our current energy policies have resulted in $5 a gallon gas, and our economy can not sustain that. Working families can not sustain that.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
We have the means to be energy independent. We already were energy independent. Our current energy policies have resulted in $5 a gallon gas, and our economy can not sustain that. Working families can not sustain that.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The Constitution says it best: Unity, domestic tranquility, justice, defense, promotion of the general welfare of the people and securing liberty for all. The purpose of government is to exercise the 18 enumerated powers listed in the Constitution. Nothing more, nothing less.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The Constitution says it best: Unity, domestic tranquility, justice, defense, promotion of the general welfare of the people and securing liberty for all. The purpose of government is to exercise the 18 enumerated powers listed in the Constitution. Nothing more, nothing less.
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
I believe in doing what the Constitution says. It's that simple for me. I believe ALL citizens have the right to live, work, and worship in freedom, safety, and prosperity free from government overreach.
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
I believe in doing what the Constitution says. It's that simple for me. I believe ALL citizens have the right to live, work, and worship in freedom, safety, and prosperity free from government overreach.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://standforhealthfreedom.com/vhf/santos/
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://standforhealthfreedom.com/vhf/santos/
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
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?
My legislative priorities are based on one thing - returning the authority to where it belongs. To We the People.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
My legislative priorities are based on one thing - returning the authority to where it belongs. To We the People.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
Qualified immunity is a misunderstood buzzword these days. Qualified immunity does not protect officers from committing crimes and from doing bad things on purpose. Qualified immunity is for honest mistakes that come up in the course of an officer's duties. Police officers are humans, it happens. Qualified immunity does not protect bad actors.
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
Qualified immunity is a misunderstood buzzword these days. Qualified immunity does not protect officers from committing crimes and from doing bad things on purpose. Qualified immunity is for honest mistakes that come up in the course of an officer's duties. Police officers are humans, it happens. Qualified immunity does not protect bad actors.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
Funds need to be added to mental health and community programs. Those funds should not be taken from police departments.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
Funds need to be added to mental health and community programs. Those funds should not be taken from police departments.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. We actually need to eliminate gun free zones so people can protect themselves.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. We actually need to eliminate gun free zones so people can protect themselves.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Agree
I believe in what the 7th Amendment says, that a person is entitled to bring any matter before a jury.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Agree
I believe in what the 7th Amendment says, that a person is entitled to bring any matter before a jury.
