Rebecca Ward
Democrat | Arkansas
Candidate Profile*
Liberal (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Rebecca Ward
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 27
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
wellesley college, wellesley, ma, BA, 1969
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Junior League of Waterbury CT, President, Arkansas River Valley Lawn and Garden Show, Ft Smith AR
Treasurer, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Weston, CT, Clerk of Vestry
St Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, Ft Smth,AR, Vestry, Sebastian County Democratic Party
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Sebastian County Democratic Party
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
under any circumstances up to 24 weeks. after than, if medically necessary for health of mother or if fetus has catastrophic damage
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
with appropriate controls
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
higher taxes on wealthy that cannot be avoided
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
There are many areas that could be reduced, but a "cut gov't spending to the bone" policy is short sighted. just as one doesn't think that they should get groceries for free, the cost of government is what we pay for the services government provides. to suggest areas to cut without study of unintended consequences is terribly short sighted.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
post high school education should be available to all, regardless of financial circumstances. this does NOT mean a traditional 4 year college for all. but should include technical training, trade schools, and other ways to increase skills. funds, loans, grants, reduced tuition, etc should be available to those who cannot pay. but they should be related to effort to complete education.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
why would they want to? sedition brewing in one, perhaps? not sure that this is even relevant as gov't has not attempted to do so in my memory...and that is pretty long!
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.
B
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
for any serious and easily communicated disease.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
if i knew the answer to this, i would be in the state department. it is way easy for a civilian to talk about it without real knowledge. not useful.
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.
Neutral
hard question and again, one that if i had the answer, i would be in the state department. it seems that so far, all solutions are win/lose. need one that is win/win or at least, not lose/not lose
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
but without the sort of violence we have seen taking place and with respect for the sacrifices these people have made to get to the border.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
anyone without a serious criminal record.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
within limits.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
but we are explicitly NOT a "christian nation". the constitution is quite clear no this.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
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
Strongly Disagree
why does it matter to anyone who someone else loves and marries?
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Jesus said, “The first commandment is this: hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
every registered voter should receive a ballot in them mail. these ballots should be able to be mailed, postage free, or dropped into a drop box at every voting site. ultimately, i would make it a law that every person, 18 or over, who is a citizen, was required to vote and would be fined if they did not.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
no
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
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.
B. we only have ONE planet. it will continue. we may not.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Neutral
with the correct technology it can be done safely. but only with the correct technology and great care.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
the purpose of government is to ensure that all have physical security and an environment in which they can prosper.
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?
Liberal
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
interview with Times Record and Northwest Arkansas Gazette. debate with justin boyd at UAFS
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 goals in running for State Senate, District 27, Ft Smith are several. first, i feel strongly that arkansas not be a single party state. this is dangerous and unhealthy. when one party runs a state, the interests represented become fewer and fewer as the party doesn't have to actually work for the voters. second, i want to make the lives of those who live in my district better. i hope to do so by working for better healthcare, especially lower cost for prescription drugs and a cap on cost of insulin; better teacher salaries so we can attract and keep our good teachers...which will mean better educated children; access to education beyond high school that includes technical training, trade school education, and 2 year degrees in such areas as nursing, as well as 4 year colleges. i plan to work to help our small businesses with tax policy and easier access to credit, so they can continue to create good jobs. i will also work to be sure Ft Smith is considered as a location for large employers being courted by the state "sales" efforts. i will also work tirelessly to repeal the draconian and punitive abortion laws currently in force in AR
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Disagree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE A WEAPON OF WAR! i support the right of anyone without felony conviction to own a rifle or shotgun. between my husband and me we own 12 long guns. stored appropriately. i DO NOT support the "right" of any civilian to own an automatic weapon or one what is modified to be so. i also support a limit on the size of clips. if you have to hunt with an AR-15 you need to spend more time on the range and if you need an AR-15 type weapon to defend your family, you might be on the wrong side of the law.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Agree
