Sydney Hovis
Democrat | Pennsylvania
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
Sydney Hovis
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Senate, Dist. 32
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, BA, 2018
West Virginia University, Morgantown, MS, 2023
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Democratic Women of Fayette County, Vice President, Scottdale Planning Commission
Appointee, Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women, Regional Director
Westmoreland County Democratic Party, Committee Woman, Community Legal Aid
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 (2)
*Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
*Communication Workers of America (CWA) Political Action Fund
OTHER (1)
*Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
United Mineworkers of America
PA AFL-CIO
PASNAP
PSEA
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
The issues related to abortion are complex and cannot fall squarely in a “bad” or “not bad” category. As a mother of three, I have made the decision to have children; however, I do not believe the government has a right to interfere with liberty interests of women prior to viability. I believe that the liberty interests recognized by 5 Republican appointees in Roe and affirmed by 5 Republican appointees in Casey was correct. I believe that the approach to abortion that has taken by our most trusted ally—Israel— supports that approach. I also believe that Ronald Reagan was correct when, as Governor of California, he signed law that allowed a woman to terminate a pregnancy of her life is at risk. In those instances when, for example, a wife and mother must terminate a pregnancy so that she can be there for her children and husband, I believe that choice should be left to the woman and her doctor, not the legislature. Further, women who are facing the tragic loss of a wanted pregnancy should never face potential criminal liability. With respect to abortion rates, studies and our own history have proven that providing better access to contraceptives as well as the means necessary for women to choose to carry a pregnancy to term, including education and reducing the barriers for younger people to afford to start families (which is also positive for the economy) are effective in reducing the abortion rate. Legislative restriction, however, does little to reduce abortion rates, but does increase maternal mortality rates. In a country with an already high maternal mortality rate and inequitable access to healthcare in rural regions (such as mine), this threat is very real to the lives of women and children.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Neutral
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?
The tax code is too difficult to navigate for the average American. Reforms should be enacted that untangle the web of thousands of exemptions, deductions, credits and other preferences that currently clutter the U.S. tax code into a simpler and fairer system that American workers and businesses can more easily navigate. By eliminating many of the current tax expenditures for special interests, we can have a code that yields fiscally responsible tax-relief to the middle class, growth opportunities for American businesses to create jobs and compete globally, and incentives for retirement savings and investment.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
First and foremost, I would move to reduce the size of the Pennsylvania legislature and reduce the salaries of our full-time representatives. Enacting a government reform bill would save taxpayers in the Commonwealth tens of millions of dollars every year.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Did not answer
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Did not answer
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.
Did not answer
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Did not answer
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
The United States must confront radical terrorism---on all fronts, regardless of the source. I believe strongly that that there has not been a well developed national security strategy since Ronald Reagan was the President. Reagan, in NSDD 32, established a long term strategy that would address Americas greatest threats and enemy.It did so by strengthening relations with allies and strangling its foes economically. I believe that we need to revisit Reagan's approach to national security. It is important that the approach be on two fronts--first we confront radical terrorist directly by going after their leaders and members, Second, we need to move against radicalized persons and groups indirectly by sanctioning their funding sources and entities that support their organizations and members.
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
A sovereign nation has the. right. to defend itself and its borders. Further, it has. the right to regulate its borders. Israel, as America's most significant ally, must be entitled to govern itself as it sees fit without interference of the United States.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Did not answer
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Did not answer
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Did not answer
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Did not answer
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Did not answer
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Did not answer
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Did not answer
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Did not answer
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Did not answer
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Did not answer
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.
Did not answer
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Did not answer
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Did not answer
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?
Did not answer
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.
Did not answer
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Did not answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Did not answer
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Did not answer
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Did not answer
