Travis Couture
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Travis Couture
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary & Secretary of State Special
Race
State Rep., Dist. 35 - Pos. 2
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Brandman University, MBA, 2020
Brandman University, BA Organizational Leadership, 2019
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Navy, Enlisted, 5
AFFILIATIONS
Mason County Republican Party (WA), Former Chairman, Bremerton Submarine Veterans
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Washington State Senate, 2014
Mason County Commissioner, 2012
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (3)
Fraternal Order of Police Olympic Mountain Lodge #23
Jesse Young
Republican Women's Club of Mason County - Washington
OTHER (2)
Kitsap County Republicans
Mason County Republican Party - Washington
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Fraternal Order of Police - Olympic Mountain Lodge #23
State Rep. Jesse Young (R - 26th LD)
Mason County Republican Party
Kitsap County Republican Party
Republican Women of Mason County
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Dan Griffey (2016)
Jim Walsh (2016)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2021)
Victor Hogan (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
On July 12, 2022, after evaluations were completed, Mr. Couture participated in the Mason County Primary Election Forum. You can fast forward to 1:04 for the 35th Leg. Dist.2 candidates' responses to questions
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
In Washington State, the laws surrounding abortion are radically to one side of the pro-abortion spectrum, and are allowed for any reason under the sun. Any move to reduce abortions and limit the circumstances in which they can be unnecessarily performed would be measures I favor. Once a fetal heartbeat is detected, and the mothers life is not in jeopardy, I do not believe an abortion should be allowed.
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.
Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Washington State had record revenues, even during a pandemic, and those funds were spent in a frenzy by Democrats in Olympia. When the government has additional money it did not foresee having, it should be credited in some way back to the taxpayers. I support sales and property tax relief, especially during these times of high inflation. The B&O tax needs reforms because it is atrocious for business owners to comply with, and allows for petty set-asides where politicians can punish or reward their favorite industries. I will always oppose any income tax!
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
What we need is sustainable budgets in Olympia. We have almost nothing in the rainy day fund, and if an emergency hit it wouldn't last us a single day. We literally toss more and more money at things like K-12, transportation, and homelessness, but never get any positive results in return. Its a failure of leadership and priorities that do not match the majority of Washington residents needs.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
Not through college, however the Washington State Constitution is clear on "basic" public education being the "paramount duty" of the State. Publicly funding education is Constitutional, however that does not mean that the State has to have a monopoly on providing the education. We should have more school choice, more options for parents is the competitive high tide that floats all boats. The State can credit in some way people who choose to send their kids to an alternative over public school.
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?
Under no circumstances. Unfortunately we saw many governments during the pandemic do just that, eroding peoples freedom of speech, their religious liberty, their freedom to peaceably assemble, and worship. I find those actions abhorrent.
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.
C. Medicaid and Medicare should be available for those in our society who are truly vulnerable and need help. But I support a less regulated and more cost effective healthcare market for everyone else. Expanding Medicaid and implementing Obamacare in Washington has skyrocketed prices and made healthcare services more scarce.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
No government or employer should be allowed to force an individual into a personal health decision, especially if that health decision was made for religious reasons and if those requirements were not a part of the original contract or agreement upon acceptance of the job.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Although I am not running for a Federal office and will not have authority over foreign policy, a good first step would be for the federal government to stop sending these regimes money and arms... seems pretty common sense.
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.
Choose not to answer
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?
People without criminal records that want to follow the law and the correct process and become an American citizen.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
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
Agree
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.
I am a Christian.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
Voter ID is needed, and should have a photograph much like a drivers license.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Many people have lost confidence and trust in our voting system, and we must ensure that elections are safe and fair, and every legal vote is counted. In Washington, voter rolls must be cleaned, and many feel mail in voting is not secure. When an election is unsecure, it disenfranchises every other voter.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
The only threat domestically regarding racism has been, in recent years, people destroying our cities, beating people, and in some cases murdering people while espousing the very racism they purport to combat, with the erroneous belief that America is a racist country.
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.
A. I believe the free market is the best way to combat large issues.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect your rights and liberties, law and order, and to provide for those public needs called out in the U.S. and State Constitutions.
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?
Conservative
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.
None.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
My priorities are protecting your constitutional rights, public safety, education, and the economy.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
