Maria Syms
Republican | Arizona
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Maria Syms
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 4
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Master in Public Administration, 2014
American University Law School, Washington DC, J.D., 1992
Smith College, Northampton, B.A., 1989Ben
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Harvard Club of Phoenix, President
Benchmark Academy, Board Member
Paradise Valley United Methodist Church Preschool, past Board Member
Boy Scouts of America, Volunteer and Eagle Scout mom
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Representative, Arizona State House LD 28, 2017-2019
Paradise Valley Town Councilwoman, 2015-2017
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ); Arizona Corporation Commissioner Jim O'Connor (R); Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio (R); former Paradise Valley Vice Mayor Jiini Simpson
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (7)
Ben Quayle (2013); Jeff Flake (2013); Jim Lamon (2022); Mitt Romney (2014); Winning Women for U.S. Senate (2014)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Arizona Chamber of Commerce (2018); Arizona Free Enterprise Club (2018); Arizona Leadership Fund (2018); Arizonans for Stronger Universities (2018); David Cook (AZ) (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2018); Robert "Bob" Parsons (2018)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
As a society, we should encourage a culture of life. We have an obligation to protect the most vulnerable in our society and abortions should be limited to very rare circumstances to save the life of the mother. In addition to our responsibility to the unborn and the physical and emotional well being of mothers, we have a moral obligation to protect and find care for the thousands of foster children in our state.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive 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
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
One of the best ways to eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism is to secure our border and enforce our immigration laws. Having served this state as an Assistant Attorney General and the country as an Assistant United States Attorney, I recognize the immediate danger presented when there is no respect for the rule of law. As your State Representative, I was a strong advocate for securing the border and protecting Arizonans from terrorist threats. I will continue to build on that record of supporting our law enforcement at the border and in our local communities for a safer Arizona.
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
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 think there are ways we can improve our current model of public and private funded care. I think we have to create an environment that will encourage free market solutions to providing more access for uninsured Arizonans and eliminate government mandates. We should encourage maximum efficiency and access to information in the healthcare system through the use of technological advancements. We should create an environment that encourages more healthcare professionals to practice in the State so people have access to more and better treatment and care.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
The only time vaccinations should be required in rare circumstances where there is a proven, immediate and severe threat to overall public health that cannot be avoided by other, mitigating measures.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate notified iVoterGuide.com that her answer should have been, " Parents should always be the ones to choose whether or not to vaccinate their children. Vaccinations should only be administered in the rarest of circumstances, like with measles and polio, where there is consent and there is a proven, immediate and severe threat to overall public health that cannot be avoided by other, mitigating measures."
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
We should all work toward simplifying the tax code and lowering taxes so that more money stays in the pockets of hardworking Arizonans. I would simplify the tax code to create more uniformity, simplicity, and fairness. Reducing our state income tax is something we should work toward. We should also explore ways to attract business to Arizona by making it more tax competitive.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
It is rare, if ever, that I encounter a government agency that actually submits a lower budget proposal for the coming year. I believe we can find excess spending to cut in every agency. We need greater financial accountability and transparency for all departments. We need to eliminate programs that don't work and projects that are not a priority for the people of Arizona.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Agree
I agree that taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed for K through 12. In fact, as a State Representative, I voted for the largest appropriation for our public schools up until that time, including a 20% raise for our teachers. With respect to college education, the Arizona Constitution requires university education to be as free as possible and our legislature should work to achieve that goal.
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?
I believe in enforcing the rule of law and that immigration in accordance with our laws should be enforced.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Did not answer
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Did not answer
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Did not answer
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Did not answer
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?
Did not answer
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Did not answer
VALUES
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
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Did not answer
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.
Did not answer
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Did not answer
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Did not answer
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Did not answer
