
Stephen A. Varela
Republican | Colorado
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Stephen A. Varela
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 3
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Colorado State University, Pueblo, Bachelor's, 2013
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, MSW, 2016
WORK & MILITARY
US Army, E4-CPL, 2005-2009
Colorado Army National Guard, CPL, 2009-2012
AFFILIATIONS
St Therese Catholic Church, Member, Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy
Board President, Pueblo County Planning Commission, Member
Pueblo Zoo, Board Member, Early Learning Ventures Policy Council
Board Member, East Side Childcare Center, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Board of Education, 2023-current
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Senate, 2022
Pueblo City Council, 2019
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Veterans For America First
Veterans for Trump
OTHER (1)
With Honor Fund II
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Veterans for Trump
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
WinRed (2024)
Larry Liston (2022)
Polly Lawrence (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Tim Walsh (2024)
WinRed (2024)
Larry Liston (2022)
Polly Lawrence (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
American Federation of Government Employees (2019)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2012)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Laborers International Union of North America (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2020)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (2019)
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
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.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I am pro-life.
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?
I am pro-life and support a nationwide ban after 12-15 weeks that allows states to impose additional restrictions.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
I support the 2017 tax cuts and would make them permanent. I support repealing the estate tax.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
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
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The government should not endorse any religion, but neither should it punish religion. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I oppose forced vaccinations.
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.
I do not believe Medicaid and Medicare should be fully abolished; however, I do support fundamental reforms to those programs that get government out of the middle of the doctor-patient relationship.
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.
America's foreign policy should be defined by a strong national defense and clear foreign policy objectives that minimize the risk of direct American involvement overseas. We must stand by our allies, particularly against the growing China-Russia-Iran axis.
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?
Israel is one of America's greatest and most important allies in the world. As someone who served in combat in the Middle East, I understand that Israel is one of our few dependable allies in this critical region.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
The military used to represent American pride. It exists for one purpose: our national defense. That should still be the case, but woke Democrat policies and funding cuts have seriously degraded military readiness, pride, and recruitment.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Our criteria for legal immigrants should be people who: wait in line and follow the rules, are committed to becoming productive contributors to society, and commit to assimilating.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I served as Board President of a charter school and currently represent Colorado's 3rd Congressional District on the State Board of Education and am a strong advocate for education freedom.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
While I support eliminating the department, this might not realistic. Short of elimination, I would like to convert it into a tool to expand education freedom and charter schools.
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.
Neutral
I believe marriage is an institution of the church, not the government. I do not oppose same-sex couple unions.
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 Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a member of a Catholic church.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
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
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Government should not be making these decisions. It needs to get out of the business of picking winners and losers in the energy marketplace.
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 primary purpose of the federal government is to protect the homeland. The federal government has become far too expansive and, as a result, has failed in this basic function.
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
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
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?
I strongly back the Second Amendment and oppose the Democrats' efforts to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.
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