Scott Podeyn
Democrat | Arizona
Candidate Profile*
Liberal
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Scott Podeyn
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 29
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque, AA Liberal Arts, 2008
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, BS Geography, 2008
WORK & MILITARY
US Air Force, TSgt, 20
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
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.
LIBERAL (8)
*Human Rights Campaign PAC
*United Auto Workers
Stonewall Democrats of Arizona
Arizona AFL-CIO
*Free Thought Equality Fund PAC
OTHER (2)
*Stand for Children Arizona
*Save Our Schools SOS AZ
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (7)
AFL-CIO
Free Thought PAC
AFSCME
Teamsters Local 104
Stand For Children
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Roe must be upheld as a constitutional right under the equal protections clause.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Neutral
Tax dollars can only be used in an emergency situation where the woman’s life is in jeopardy.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Agree
I watched my mother’s last day’s dying from cancer. I could see the pain with the contorting of her body. It was drawn out and painful.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Make social security benefits un-taxable and non-reportable
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
All of the excess privatization of education and prisons.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
Pre-K thru 12 must remain free. I agree with grants for trades and technology.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
I have always gone with the proprietor has the right to refuse service.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None the 1st amendment is clear. I do agree with the removal of tax protections if the churches are actually self serving businesses.
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’m not a fan of single payer healthcare because I’m in what the system might look like with the VA.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I view the subject the same as drug testing. If you don’t want to get vaccinated then find employment elsewhere.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Continue with collecting intelligence and make arrests or reach out to kill a known threat.
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
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Neutral
I’m more concerned about the the drugs guns and smuggling.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone. Working visas must be easier to attain. This way undocumented people are paying taxes. The refugee processing system must be expanded to ease the burden at the border.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Disagree
Voucher programs haven’t been evaluated on academic standards because they don’t have to be held accountable for success or failure. Teachers in voucher schools are paid about the same as public school teachers. We rank at the bottom nationally in education spending. We need to repeal the current AEL and fund schools on true economic realities.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Disagree
Everyone has a right to practice their religion but the separation of church and state is clear. The framers intended government officials judges and elected officials to leave their religion at the door.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Agree
The 14th amendment is clear with the equal protections clause.
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 both a religious right that the so inclined religion can choose to recognize or not recognize the marriage. I support the government recognize the legal contract of marriage.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
This isn’t a thing in public education.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I’m agnostic. I do follow the teachings of morality but I also choose to not judge others as told in the New Testament.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I would oppose any efforts to restrict access to cast ballots. I will oppose any efforts to veto the popular vote by any governmental organization.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Only by individuals and groups that are a threat to others based upon racial ethnic or religious. I’m specifically talking about white supremacists
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
I really don’t know how to even begin to try and figure out how a number could be reached.
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.
We and future generations are going to have to live in the environment we create. It’s imperative that we need to embrace the sacrifice so that we leave the world better.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Disagree
Deep water injection is removing vast amounts of water from the water cycle. The gain versus cost is negligible. Renewable energy is less expensive. When the state was following emissions standards our utility bills declined.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Serve the people.
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).
I was arrested following a combat related PTSD assault on a family member. The judge referred the case to the Veterans Administration for evaluation and treatment. All charges were dropped.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
Nope
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I’m just a guy trying to help people live better lives. I live on a fixed income and the tax laws are written by the wealthy that create loopholes for them to avoid paying their fair share.
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 enforce the law and must follow the laws at all times.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Neutral
I support the demilitarization of the police. The police are not a offensive force to destroy the enemy under the law of armed conflict. They are a civilian organization that is there to protect and serve the people.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Universal gun license program to ensure that a deep background check has been conducted to include the unsealing of court records. If a person has done anything irresponsible with a weapon then that person shouldn’t be entrusted with a weapon again.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Agree
