Doug Bankson
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile*
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Doug Bankson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist 39
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Missouri Southern State College (University), Joplin, MO, 1 year Music Ed, 1982
Word of Faith Leadership and Bible Institute, Sioux City, IA, 1 year cert, 1984
Peacemakers Institute of Theology, Sioux City, IA, Assoc., 2008
Life Christian University, Tampa, FL, Bachelor of Thology, 2011
Life Christian University, Tampa, FL, Masters of Theology, 2012
School of Bible Theology Seminary and University, Riverside, CA, Doctorate of Theology (Hon.), 2015
WORK & MILITARY
Turning Point Ministries, 1975-1982
Cornerstone Faith Center, Associate Pastor, 1983-1985
Orlando Christian Center, Associate Pastor, 1985-1986
Cornerstone World Outreach, Associate Pastor, 1986-1992
Vision Ministries, Founder, CEO, 1992-1995
Victory Church World Outreach Center, Founder, CEO, 1995-Present
AFFILIATIONS
Apopka Christian Ministerial Alliance, Past President, Apopka Police Department
Chaplain, Apopka Christian Academy, Founder, President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Apopka City Commissioner and Vice Mayor, 6
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate for Florida State House District 39, Presently seeking
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (3)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida
Florida Family Action
OTHER (6)
Florida Chamber of Commerce
Florida Realtors PAC
Business Force
Associated Industries of Florida
Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association CFHLA
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Fraternal Order of Police
Orange County Fire Fighters Association
West Orange Political Alliance
Florida Family Action
Florida Realtors
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (7)
Ron DeSantis (2024)
David A. Smith (2023)
Keith Truenow (2023)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
Team DeSantis 2024 (2023)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (24)
Nate Robertson Nathan Robertson (2024)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
America First PC (2023)
Dennis Baxley (2023)
Faith and Freedom Coalition (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
In this
Apopka Voice article, Bankson is quoted standing for the recent Supreme Court
overturning of Roe v. Wade and explaining his thoughts on the issue, and why he
is pro-life.
Candidate was a member of a conservative Christian delegation to Israel to meet with Israeli leaders along with Rick Santorum in 2014.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
When necessary to save the life of the mother with every effort to also save the life of the baby
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.
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
It is prohibitive to free market principles, very difficult on small business, and actually ends up hurting the poor as prices increase to cover the economic impact of wage increase.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None. The first amendment clearly limits government jurisdiction over churches.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C. Medicare and Medicaid is already a contract made with the American people and thus must be honored.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccination should be voluntary and not mandatory. Scientific proof of efficacy and education should lead people, not government control of their bodies.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. They are the only true democracy bringing stability to the middle east, and willing partners for genuine peace in the region.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and a follower of Jesus and believe that my salvation comes through the atoning work of Calvary. I value the principles of life, liberty, faith, and family, and believe these are the building blocks of society based upon personal responsibility and self government. I also believe the Judeo-Christian foundation of this nation is the surest foundation to protect the freedom and liberty for all to live according to conscience. Everyone is equal under the eyes of God, and our rights are given by our Creator and thus are inalienable, governed by the rule of law according to the laws of nature and nature's God.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Only to the degree that it is being exploited. With proper respect for all, we are one race called the human race, and our goal must be equal opportunity, not equal outcome.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
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
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
A. and C.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Oil and nuclear energy
ABOUT YOU
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
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Best described by the preamble to the Constitution, it should be limited to those parameters. I see government like the umpire at a baseball game; no one goes to see the umpire, but they depend on them to make sure the game is played fairly without interfering in the outcome.
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
Though some may try to misconstrue this as "far right", I simply believe in the Constitution and the rule of law, a representative form of government, and that which retains true liberty and justice for all. That to me is the essence of what America stands for.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
It is an inviolate right clearly protected by the second amendment of the constitution; those who forfeit those rights by conviction of felony acts should not prohibit the free ownership or limitation of law abiding citizens whatsoever.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
While teachers personal right to self defense should be protected, there should be decentralized local established training standards for them to carry in the classroom. My preference would be trained law enforcement at a level that secures the campus.
