Roy Vaughn
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
Roy Vaughn
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 81
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Arkansas at Monticello, Monticello, BA, 2003
University of Arkansas at Monticello, Monticello, MA, 2006
WORK & MILITARY
United States Army, Spc, 8
AFFILIATIONS
Baptist, Minister, Little Rock Education Association
Vice President, Arkansas Education Association, Member
Alpha Phi Alpha, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Arkansas Education Association
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2019)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
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?
I support reproductive rights without exclusion. Decisions made about pregnancy should be between a woman and her doctor.
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.
Neutral
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I know that taxes are needed to fund the infrastructure of Arkansas. We must tax every Arkansan according to his or her income level to ensure all citizen pay their fare share to protect the integrity of Arkansas.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would reduce governmental spending on litigation that is connected to partisan ideals. Currently, our Attorney General files lawsuits at will over partisan issues in other states cost Arkansas tax payers money.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
While I believe free college would benefit many Arkansans; I know it is not good policy to do so.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Agree
I do not agree with discrimination at all.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Global pandemics and public health emergencies
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.
A) a healthy populous ensures a healthy workforce which builds our economy.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Public health emergencies and pandemics. As Americans our rights end where another's begin. We are global citizens, we must protect all people.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
This question is loaded with innuendo and encourages discrimination. Terrorism itself is the threat. To address terrorism the United States should rely on its agencies like the FBI, Military Intelligence, Police, State Police, etc. It will take all agencies working together to reply eradicate terrorism as a whole.
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.
Neutral
We have to enforce the laws on the books. We already have laws that govern how we should secure all of our borders; why would we treat our southern border differently?
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe anyone who meets the criteria already set forth that governs immigration should be allowed. Anything other than that can be considered discrimination and I am against that.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Disagree
Church, the Bible, or any other religious document should not be legislated. Legislators represent everyone, not just those who believe the way they do. With that said biblical, church or other religious values should be taught at home.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
Creating safe spaces for gender none conforming individuals helps us create a more just society. Again, I do not believe in discriminating against humans at all.
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
Marriage is a legal union. America is a melting pot of different humans who believe differently and they are All Americans. Our laws must reflect all of humanity.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Choose not to answer
This question is loaded and the definition of Critical Race Theory is misinterpreted.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian. I believe in God the father all mighty, the maker of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ the only son of our LORD who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. The third day he rose from the dead, ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father all mighty. From there he will come to judge the quick and the dead the church universal.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I would change voting laws to allow individuals from everywhere to vote wherever they want. We live in a society now that a ballot can be pulled electronically form anywhere and so having traditional voting stations would not be needed. I do believe that secure voting is important so proper identification would be important if the change I propose where real.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes, racism in communities undermine the United States ability to protect itself against conflicts which creates a security risk. A March 2021, Harvard study proved that if people felt discriminated against in their communities they where likely to not join military services, police, or any other justice seeking unit. Therefore, the lack of participation in domestic security units can really have a negative impact on the United States as a whole.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
I can honestly see both sides of the reparations issue.
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 have to protect our environment for the generations to come. To put profit over people is never a good idea.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Disagree
We should consider renewable resources.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The general purpose of government is to evaluate and create laws that allow our society to live in domestic tranquility and to support the Constitution of the United States and Arkansas.
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).
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.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Men like me are not supposed to run for public office. I was not born to an affluent or well-connected family. My mother is from the red clay of Villa Rica, Georgia and my dad hails from the plantation fields of Johnsville, Arkansas. I was born where gangs ruled the streets of Detroit with an iron fist and prison was a logical next step after dropping out of school. I’m an educator, military veteran, and working class Arkansan. I’ve taught at schools from South Arkansas to Central Arkansas. I have taught gang members, expectant mothers, and children living with unimaginable circumstances for nearly two decades. Becoming a politician was never in my plans. After years of the same representation, I had to ask myself who has Arkansas been changing for? Every day gets harder for working families like mine. Rural healthcare is almost nonexistent for many in Saline County, our military vets and their families are not getting the services they deserve. It’s clear we are not well-served in the State House. We deserve someone who will fight for ALL of Saline County. It’s time to fight for a Saline County that has a bright future for all its residents - from the rural areas of East End to the plush subdivisions of Bryant. That's why I am running for Arkansas State House of Representatives. This race is about the citizens of Saline County. It’s time we acknowledge not all Democrats are the same. Not all Democrats are far left. Many of us are proud gun owners, teach our families religious values, and are not afraid to stand up for right- even when everyone else is standing for wrong. What Saline county needs is better healthcare for all its citizens, accessibility to veterans services, and infrastructure that can support our growing populations.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Disagree
Police have to be held to a standard. Qualified immunity is a truism, if the behavior is consistent with departmental policy the problem may not be the officer it's the policy itself and they would not need immunity for that.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Neutral
I think police departments should have a mental heath program that is ran through community resources. This allows the police to be seen positively in the community.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am a firm believer in legal gun ownership. However, I do believe some restrictions are needed on assault weapons, like raising the minimum age to purchase, more in-depth background checks, and mental health evaluations.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Guns don't commit violence, people do.
