Ben Dewell
No Party Preference | California
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ben Dewell
Party
No Party Preference
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 20
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of California, Davis, M.S., 1986
California State University, Fresno, B.A., 1976
WORK & MILITARY
WEATHERx, Chief Meteorologist, 1987 – 1992
Sferics, Chief Programmer, 1992 – 1996
Stallion Springs Community Service District, Director, 2018 – 2026
Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District, Hearing Board Director, 2021 – Present
AFFILIATIONS
American Meteorological Society, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Director, Stallion Springs Community Service District, 2018 – 2026
Hearing Board Director, Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District, 2021– Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
Previous Races
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).
Neutral
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Neutral
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.
Neutral
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.
Neutral
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I am a strict conservative when it comes to the individual's right to control their own body and life.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I am a strict conservative when it comes to the individual's right to control their own body and 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?
Perhaps at the point of medical viability of the fetus.
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?
Perhaps at the point of medical viability of the fetus.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
Income disparity in the U.S. may be derived from inequities within the laws favoring existing capital.
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
Income disparity in the U.S. may be derived from inequities within the laws favoring existing capital.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
However student loan forgiveness, at least in part, may be linked to military or service in underserved areas.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
However student loan forgiveness, at least in part, may be linked to military or service in underserved areas.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
Every relevant criteria must be taken into account when public monies are at stake.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
Every relevant criteria must be taken into account when public monies are at stake.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Separation of church and state is well defined within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and is unambiguous. Since every government official takes an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, the duty of government officials is clear, otherwise the oath giver is in breach of trust of their constituents and the nation.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Separation of church and state is well defined within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and is unambiguous. Since every government official takes an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, the duty of government officials is clear, otherwise the oath giver is in breach of trust of their constituents and the nation.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
...only if public monies are involved.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
...only if public monies are involved.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccinations may be required when scientifically necessary to protect the public health in public situations.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccinations may be required when scientifically necessary to protect the public health in public situations.
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.
Compulsory healthcare insurance in its present form is no more than public welfare for private insurance companies.
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.
Compulsory healthcare insurance in its present form is no more than public welfare for private insurance companies.
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.
The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny.
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.
The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
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 currently an important Middle East partner with the U.S., providing a military supply outpost within the region. However, presently this long standing relationship is in jeopardy without a viable and sustainable 2 state solution with Palestinians.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Israel is currently an important Middle East partner with the U.S., providing a military supply outpost within the region. However, presently this long standing relationship is in jeopardy without a viable and sustainable 2 state solution with Palestinians.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
Physical requirements unattainable by young citizens and a lack of interest in patriotism driven by divisive national politics. The second concern may only be remedied by non-partisan independents committed to upholding their oath to the constitution.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
Physical requirements unattainable by young citizens and a lack of interest in patriotism driven by divisive national politics. The second concern may only be remedied by non-partisan independents committed to upholding their oath to the constitution.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
Electronic surveillance and border patrol are necessary to prevent unauthorized entry. Every nation has the right and duty to protect its sovereign borders.
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
Electronic surveillance and border patrol are necessary to prevent unauthorized entry. Every nation has the right and duty to protect its sovereign borders.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
1) Genuine asylum seekers – as determined by judicial review. 2) Workers (temporary) required to sustain agriculture and industry needs.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
1) Genuine asylum seekers – as determined by judicial review. 2) Workers (temporary) required to sustain agriculture and industry needs.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Neutral
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Disagree
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Neutral
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Disagree
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
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
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Having been raised as a Mennonite, I believe strongly in spirituality and the Golden Rule.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Having been raised as a Mennonite, I believe strongly in spirituality and the Golden Rule.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Agree
If one looks to rigging elections as fraud, one need look no further than the antiquated, undemocratic Electoral College. If majority is to prevail, the majority must select the President. The proof of the inequitability of the Electoral College, is in the fact that neither of the two major political parties supports replacing it with direct majority vote.
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Agree
If one looks to rigging elections as fraud, one need look no further than the antiquated, undemocratic Electoral College. If majority is to prevail, the majority must select the President. The proof of the inequitability of the Electoral College, is in the fact that neither of the two major political parties supports replacing it with direct majority vote.
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
CRT, though currently not taught at other than the college level in a few universities, offers insights into the continuance of America's original sin, slavery. The misconception of its precepts is only a cultural red herring provoking cultural division.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
CRT, though currently not taught at other than the college level in a few universities, offers insights into the continuance of America's original sin, slavery. The misconception of its precepts is only a cultural red herring provoking cultural division.
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.
Neutral
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.
Neutral
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Agree
I am a scientist by training, an an atmospheric scientist by college degree. Climate data has shown unequivocally that reasonable measures taken now will save us much life and treasure in the future.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
The sun is the original source of energy on this planet, whether it be in the deposition of limited fossil fuels, or ubiquitous solar and derivative wind energy.
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Agree
I am a scientist by training, an an atmospheric scientist by college degree. Climate data has shown unequivocally that reasonable measures taken now will save us much life and treasure in the future.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
The sun is the original source of energy on this planet, whether it be in the deposition of limited fossil fuels, or ubiquitous solar and derivative wind energy.
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?
Moderate
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?
Moderate
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
As stated in our constitution: to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defenwe, promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
As stated in our constitution: to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defenwe, promote the general Welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
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.
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.
Neutral
If one party engages in unfair political gamesmanship in order to reach majority opinion within the Court, then more seats may be the only answer to restoring balance in the Court.
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Neutral
If one party engages in unfair political gamesmanship in order to reach majority opinion within the Court, then more seats may be the only answer to restoring balance in the Court.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
It depends on the particular community and their specific history with policing.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
It depends on the particular community and their specific history with policing.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Background checks, red flag laws, and banning of all military style assault rifles and high capacity magazines. The gun lobby and feckless legislators are now entirely responsible for the mass killings of innocent civilians and have made these changes necessary in order to comply with our duty to the Constitution as set forth in its Preamble to, "insure domestic tranquility".
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Background checks, red flag laws, and banning of all military style assault rifles and high capacity magazines. The gun lobby and feckless legislators are now entirely responsible for the mass killings of innocent civilians and have made these changes necessary in order to comply with our duty to the Constitution as set forth in its Preamble to, "insure domestic tranquility".
