Raul Camacho
Democrat | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Liberal
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Raul Camacho
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 20
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Ashford University, B.A. Organizational Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA Courses IS-100 LE, IS-200, IS-700, IS 701, IS-702, IS-703, IS 704, IS-800
Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) Police Academy, Williamson County Sheriff's Department, Texas Peace Officer
Houston County Community College District, A.S. Marketing
WORK & MILITARY
Former Police Officer (Current License Peace Officer)
Former Red Cross Volunteer, Deputy Shelter Manager
AFFILIATIONS
City of Leander Board of Appeals, Chairman (2017 - 2022), Engaged Citizen
Anti-Voter Suppression Advocate on behalf of Senior Citizens (2020 - Present), Engaged Citizen, Common Sense Gun Law Advocate (2016-2021)
League of United Latin America Citizens, Active Member (2020 - Present), Progressive Hispanic Democrats
Active Member (2020 - Present), Tejano Democrats, Active Member (2021 - Present)
Leander Chamber of Commerce, Active Member (2019 - 2021), Humanitarian Relief Team of Austin
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
LIBERAL (4)
Texas AFL-CIO
United Auto Workers
Tarrant County Central Labor Council
*Liberal Texas
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
ActBlue (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe abortion should be allowed for the sake of the mother's health. Abortion should be allowed where a pregnancy is the result of a crime, such as crimes like rape, incest, or child abuse. I also believe that abortion should be allowed where the child of the pregnancy would have an unacceptable quality of life such as cases where the child would have serious physical handicaps, serious genetic problems, and serious mental defects. If there is a economic or social reason for the mother who wishes to abort her pregnancy it must be within 2 months, way ahead before the development of fetal viability.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Women who are low-income and lack insurance coverage for abortion often struggle to come up with the money to pay for the procedure. As a result, they often experience delays obtaining an abortion or are forced to carry their unintended pregnancy to term.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
I believe people who are suffering from an illness should received life-ending drugs in a safe, peaceful, humane, and dignified manner.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I support a "wealth tax" and force large corporations to start paying their fair share of taxes, and close the loopholes from them avoiding to pay taxes. We also need to legalize marijuana and take advantage of the sales tax to generate revenue. States that legalize marijuana have recognized various economic benefits.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would reduce using tax payers money subsidizing large corporations (Corporate Welfare).
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
I believe we need to lower the prices of college books, and class material. It is absolutely ridiculous that college students have to pay hundreds of dollars for books. I also believe College tuition needs to be more affordable and we also need more grants for students.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
"Strongly Agree! Denying service to someone who doesn't agree with your religious beliefs is wrong. This is America, not your church! Can you imagine if the tables were turned where Christians were denied service because of their faith? It is absolutely ridiculous to go down this path."
Staff Note: This revised survey response was submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and was not considered during panel evaluations.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Whenever there is a highly contagious deadly virus that can affect the general public.
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.
Affordable and accessible Healthcare is a human right. Government healthcare must be an option for those who can't afford private healthcare. Medicare and M
iVoterGuide Notes:
"Affordable and accessible Healthcare is a human right. Government healthcare must be an option for those who can't afford private healthcare. Tax payers in Texas have been paying for Medicaid Expansion since 2014, but our Governor has denied Texans to receive it. This is WRONG! Medicaid Expansion will help thousands of Texans no matter what party affiliation."
Staff Note: This revised survey response was submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and was not considered during panel evaluations.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Did not answer
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We need to eradicate all religious terrorism, not just Islamic. Our country has been attacked by domestic violent Christian extremism as well. I believe all Religious practices that preach hate, extreme ideology, and violence should be shut down. Freedom of religion should be peaceful.
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
It is absolutely ridiculous that they can live in peace with each other.
iVoterGuide Notes:
"This is a Federal Candidate Question, I'm a State Candidate. I feel it is absolutely ridiculous that they can't live in peace with each other. God does not favor one more than the other."
Staff Note: This revised survey response was submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and was not considered during panel evaluations.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
We need to work with our Southern neighbors to build a stronger and stable economy to reduce crimes so their people won't have an excuse leaving their country.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
That's a federal question. But, I do support comprehensive immigration reform. The current system is outdated.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Disagree
Good morals do not only come from Judeo-Christianity. There are many people with great morals who are not Christian.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
Only for the purpose to stop discrimination, and making sure everyone is treated equally.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
We cannot deny the facts of what took place in our history. We must expose human atrocities that took place, so that we will never repeat it again.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Deism
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"I agree with this statement. Strict Voter ID laws deprive many voters of their right to vote. Many Americans do not have one of the forms of identification states acceptable for voting. These voters are disproportionately low-income, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Also, these unfortunate citizens have difficulty obtaining ID, because they cannot afford or cannot obtain the underlying documents that are a prerequisite to obtaining a government-issued photo ID card. We need alternative secured voting options for those who are unable to get a State Approved Photo I.D."
Staff Note: This revised survey response was submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and was not considered during panel evaluations.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I oppose any unnecessary barriers to voting. I support online secure voter registration. I am not a fan for the Electoral College system.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a taught behavior, it is structural, institutionalize, interpersonal, and internalized. It destroys equality, diversity, inclusion, trust, and fairness in a free society. It should have no place in our country.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
I believe it is logistically impossible. But I do believe we can do better to improve equal economic opportunities for all.
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 Responsible Common Sense environmental laws and regulations.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Disagree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The purpose of government is to provide essential services, fulfill the fundamental duties of safety, prosperity, and justice, ensure the rights of each human and protect the country so that its citizens, businesses, and organizations have the ability the pursue happiness responsibly, ethically, and lawfully.
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
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2017/04/05/commentary-unlicensed-carry-undermines-individual-responsibility/9999040007/
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 follow through.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Disagree
As a former Police Officer I maintained the public's trust to always do the right thing. If the department has a poor policy in placed, and the Officer follows the Department's policy which resulted in violating someone's civil rights, or caused a death, then the Officer and his department are both wrong. No one is above the law, and no one should receive special treatment if there was a civil or criminal crime involved.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
We can fund the Police, Mental Health, and Community Programs.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We need to make it harder for criminals, people with bad intentions, people with mental illness that may harm others or themselves to gain access to guns. Our current laws make it easy for wrong-doers get easy access to guns. All Constitutional Rights are not absolute. We need to have rules in place to exercise our rights responsibly. We also don't need Gun Taunting Individuals carrying high capacity rounds in public. The public can't afford to guess if these Gun Taunting Individuals are a threat or just an idiot trying to intimidate others. Article 1, Section 23 of the Texas Constitution allows the state to regulate the wearing of the arms.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Choose not to answer
The Firearm industry needs to do a better job promoting safety, responsibility, and implement security measures where their products don't end up to the untrained, unauthorized, and to the un-sound minds.
