Steve Dixon
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Steve Dixon
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 17
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
Marine Corps, Cpl, 1981-1985
AFFILIATIONS
3 Christian Churches, Children's Pastor, Singles Ministry Leader
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.
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*Patriot Parents
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Florida Republican Assembly
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
WinRed (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am pro-life, all life. God creates life and does not make mistakes. We need improved adoption methods so qualified loving parents can adopt children from mothers who find themselves in a difficult situation. We also need improved healthcare for women who have an at risk pregnancy so both lives can be saved and flourish. It is not the baby that causes the risk it is other preexisting medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. We also need communities that surround a women with the love and support she needs without judgement to help her through what could be one of the most difficult times of life. It should be a beautiful time but sometimes there are significant challenges. By 2021 statistics about 6 out of 5597 reported abortions in Orange County are related to rape, incest or life of the mother.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
The government should not be involved in supporting the abortion industry ever.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
I am pro-life and I believe we keep people alive with excellent medical care. I can see where a person of sound mind, emotions and uncoerced by family or the medical community is very near the end of their life anyway could desire to hasten the inevitable. I can also see where a person could feel forced into making a hasty decision by family, insurance and in the long run government overreach into personal lives. Many people have Do Not Resuscitate agreements that should be honored.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
In Florida we are the envy of the country and doing great. We still need to find ways to streamline or reduce the size of government so taxes can be reduced. We should get out of areas we don't need to be in and also let local issues be local. At the Federal level I would like to see taxes simplified similar to the Fair Tax Plan or the Herman Cain 9,9,9 plan. Taxes should be so simple everyone can do their own. Business taxes should be simplified also. We should get rid of all the loopholes. We should also get rid of any type of inheritance tax as it is a government grab of wealth. We should also get rid of Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) which is designed to make people broke before they die so there is nothing left to leave the heirs. All personal and company retirement plans (such as 401k) should be like a Roth account where you pay the tax when you earn it but there is NO tax on the growth or gains.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
At the Federal level we need to reduce the overall size and get back to the basics. Things that can be done at the state and local level should be pushed back to the states. The states know how to take care of the unique situations and people better than the federal government. Next, I would start by reducing the IRS. According to Heritage.org "the IRS spent roughly $13.7 billion in 2021 and had 81,600 employees, or about $167,900 per employee". They want to hire 87000 more which would be about 1 IRS person per 900 taxpayers. We also need to stop money to special interests which are designed to just buy votes. 1/3 of the Florida budget is related to healthcare. throughout the USA we need to find ways to improve healthcare for all while reducing the cost to individuals, families and our state.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
People should be 100% responsible for their own college education if they choose that path. We need tradespeople like carpenters, mechanics, truck drivers and our military. They should not be paying for somebody else's college education. Like medical care the cost of college education is out of control. Seems like all the college loans just caused the cost of education to skyrocket. We need to find ways to lower the cost especially for critical skills like engineers and medical professionals
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
An individual or private business has the right to choose who they want to or do not want to do business with.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
The government has NO right to close churches, synagogues or mosques. For instance, churches should have never been forced to close during the pandemic. The first amendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech..." The leadership or the members of a church could be arrested by law enforcement if they are committing an actual legitimate crime that any other person would also be arrested for.
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 remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. We should always be moving towards the best medical care for all citizens. Times have changed these programs need to be changed too meet current situations. Healthcare is huge concern we need to find ways to drive down cost and reduce bureaucracy that overburdens doctors and medical facilities.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None, it is a personal or family decision. A contagious person should take personal responsibility to avoid infecting others and if don't they should not be allowed around others.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We should recognize that there are millions of wonderful Muslim people in Florida, the USA and the world. They love their families, friends and communities. We also need to acknowledge there are terrorists and bad groups around the world. The US should continue to build coalitions with other countries and work together to combat the terrorist at their source. Foreign Governments that are against America (such as Iran) should not get foreign aid or any other money or resources. We must maintain the strongest military in the world as a threat deterrent. This helps protect all allies around the globe.
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
The State of Israel deserves the land given by the League of Nations and additional lands acquired after being attacked by neighboring countries afterwards. Palestinian people should accept this and live at peace.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
All our boarders should be secure. Just like we lock the door to our home, we should be able to lock the boarder to our homeland.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
All immigration should be LEGAL. Immigrants should be productive members of society that can take care of themselves and their families. They should not be on social programs that cost taxpayers millions. To become citizens they should be able to pass a test in English on American civics and history. The immigration process should be streamlined and cost less so it easier for deserving people to become American citizens. We should also consider an expedited process for people with critical skills. For example a successful engineer or medical doctor should get through the process faster.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
All teachers and schools should meet the same minimum standards set by the state. Parents should get a voucher to send children to the school that best meets the child's needs.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Our founding fathers created the Constitution and Bill of Rights based on the Judeo-Christian values. It is these conservative principles that have enable our people and country to flourish over the last 246 years.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I believe people struggling with this are already covered by existing law. God created all people and none should be discriminated in any way nor should any group get special privilege over another.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Strongly Agree
People should have a legal right to care for and be beneficiaries of whomever they want but that does not make it a marriage.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
This is not a racist country but they are still some racist people. Our Constitution was written inclusively of race and gender to make sure all people had the same rights and freedoms. It did take time for some states to catch up but the Constitution is color blind. We should teach unbiased, accurate history in schools so people learn the mistakes of the past. We should be more concerned about the millions that are enslaved in the world right now with huge numbers in China and India.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a born again Christian. I follow the teaching of the bible and daily follow the guiding of the Holy Spirit. I believe that all people were knit together by God in the womb and made in His image. Therefore all people should be loved, respected and cared for as God's creation. God does not make mistakes but people do. That is why we needed Jesus as our savior to die on our behalf for our sins to give is a path to fellowship with God now and for eternity. Satan, a fallen angel seeks to cause evil, kill, destroy and keep people from God. I was a children's pastor at 2 small Southern Baptist churches. One was church plant that met in a trailer park full of migrant workers. Many spoke very little English but we had a wonderful and fulfilling time. At another church I led the singles ministry. As a family we have also been involved in some missions work and supported missionaries throughout the world.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
All people should have a valid voter ID with a picture or show a valid photo ID. Citizenship and address must be verified for a voter ID.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Every effort should be made to have perfect accountability in all elections. Mail in ballots should be the exception, they must be requested and should be limited to people that cannot vote in person for legitimate reasons such as home/hospital bound due to illness/disability, military away from home. No mass mailings of ballots and no drop boxes. If a person can make it to a drop box they can easily go inside and vote in person. All voter rolls must be verified before each election season. People that have died or moved must be removed.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
God is a creative genius and created people of all colors in His image. There have been people stirring up race issues for many years. I think if we could quiet those people who like to stir things up we would quickly forget about race in this country. People of all races have more opportunity here in the U.S. than any other country in the world. That is why people of all races and nationalities try to come here if they can.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
The years of slavery were a horrible time for America and the world but we learned. Over 10 million people were ripped from their homes and sent on ships. Roughly 5 million went to the Caribbean, 3.5 million to Brazil and 388,000 went to mainland/British North America (VA, NC, SC). The descendants of the these 388k have been making progress for 200 years. Many have become successful artist, athletes, politicians and military leaders. We don't hear about reparations in Brazil, Cuba or Mexico.
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) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
We need to get back to energy independence. I have solar panels and a hybrid SUV to save our family money. I believe in the future of cleaner energy as it develops naturally. We need oil now until these technologies take shape and make economic sense. Making the batteries for electric cars creates incredible pollution and destroys the landscape. We should also increase nuclear power across the US.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To serve the people. We are to be servant leaders. We are to provide security, protect peoples liberty, rights and freedoms, prepare an environment where people can prosper and have economic security. The preamble of the Florida constitution states it like this: "We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution."
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
I believe conservative policy creates the best life for people and business to thrive. The higher up in government the more conservative government should be. People should be free from liberal policies that burden all to benefit a few. All liberal/socialist governments ultimately fail. Today there is very little difference between the Democrat party and socialism. People that have come from socialist countries such as Cuba and Venezuela see the havoc Democrats are causing and don't like it.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Facebook: Steve Dixon for Florida Senate
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?
My campaign motto is "FREEDOM to LIVE" I want people to be free to live their best life. I am America and Florida First. I will fight for pro-life efforts, parent involvement in education, good affordable healthcare, food security, for legal immigration and smaller government. Also in Florida we need to fight the runaway inflations that is being caused by Democrat policies in Washington. We need to find ways to lower food, gas, rent, energy prices and taxes. .
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
We need to have law enforcements back like they have ours. They have an incredibly difficult job. It is challenging emotionally, mentally and physically. It also, is up and down. In a day they could go from a deadly car wreck, to a school crossing guard, to an armed robbery and then help deliver a baby. They need and deserve our support and respect.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I support increasing police department funding where needed in Florida and it is needed in Orange county. Mental health and community programs are important and should be well funded but not at the expense of the police force.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
All adult citizens have the right to own guns and protect themselves and their families. We need to get guns our of the hands of criminals. Restrictions would only get guns away from law abiding citizens then they could not protect themselves from the criminals carrying a gun.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
The gun was just a tool used by a criminal. You cannot blame an inanimate object or the the manufacturer for the crime. We would not blame Ford or Coors for someone getting drunk and driving into a crowd. The person who got drunk and drove is to be blamed.
