Joshua J. Huffman
Libertarian | Virginia
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joshua J. Huffman
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2023
Election
General and Fairfax County and Loudoun County School Boards
Race
State Senate, Dist. 2
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, B.A., 2002
West Virginia University, Morgantown, M.A., 2019
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Mountaineers for Life, Vice Chairman, William & Mary College Republicans
Vice Chairman, Shenandoah Valley Tea Party Patriots, Board Member
Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia, Board Member, Rocktown Libertarians
Leader, Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Campaign Committee, Grassroots Director for the State of South Carolina
Students for Life of America, Field Representative, Republican Party of Virginia
Assistant Regional Political Director, Women Speak Out PAC, Canvasser
Susan B. Anthony List, Canvasser
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Harrisonburg City Council, 2014
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
As a pro-life activist who has worked for several organizations, I believe abortion should be illegal in most circumstances as it results in the death of a child. However, if a woman did not consent to sex, such as in the case of rape, I don't believe the government should force her to bear a child, although I personally would encourage her to do so.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
As I consider abortion to be immoral, as do many in our society, I cannot support the use of tax dollars to fund it.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
I believe that suicide is immoral and would not encourage anyone to do such a thing for any reason.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
The tax code should be made easier to understand so that more people can file their taxes without the need for accountants. In addition, we should strive to eliminate as many taxes as possible. For example, when Jim Gilmore campaigned for governor in 1997, he advocated eliminating the car tax. We should finally follow through with that plan.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
One area of government spending that ought to be reduced is the practice of the government using tax dollars to encourage businesses to relocate to Virginia. If we maintain a state with low taxes and fair laws, it would encourage more businesses and residents to live in our Commonwealth and boost our economy.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
Although I think additional education is beneficial, some professions do not require college education and thus funding it for those who neither need nor want it would drive up costs for everyone else.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Individuals should have the freedom to decide for themselves with whom to do business without the heavy hand of government dictating to them.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Governments should not close churches.
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.
D. Studies show that the costs of healthcare increase the more that government is involved with it.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Schools and employers should be able to establish their own standards for students and employees without government mandates.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
One good start would be to stop bombing countries in the Middle East or providing foreign aid to governments funded by American taxpayers. According to the Constitution and in line with the principles of limited government and fiscal conservatism, the United States should not be the policeman of the world.
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
This is a federal issue and not one for the Virginia General Assembly. Individuals should be free to support or oppose Israel or Palestine without government interference.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Disagree
I believe in the words of Ronald Reagan who said "Rather than talking about putting up a fence, why don't we work out some recognition of our mutual problems and make it possible for them to come here legally with a work permit? And then while they are working and earning here, they pay taxes here. And then when they want to go back they can go back and open the border both ways."
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Most everyone should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. with the notable exception of those who are criminals or those with diseases that could pose a threat to the people of this country.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
More competition in schools should lead to better results.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
I support Judeo-Christian values. However, there are other countries that claim to have Judeo-Christian values but have promoted expanding the size and scope of government while also eroding the liberty of the people.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Agree
Although for many of us marriage is God-ordained, many conservatives have fallen into the trap of supporting government involvement in marriage. Because of this, once the progressives get into power they can use this same government power to define marriage as whatever they see fit. The best solution is to take the government out of marriage.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I consider myself to be a Protestant Christian and a mixture of several denominations including Brethren and Methodist. I believe God has granted humans free will and, as such, we should support a very limited government that gives individuals free will to govern their own lives provided that they do not attempt to deprive others of their lives, liberties, or properties without just cause.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
We ought to make it extremely easy for everyone to get photo identification so that providing it in order to vote would not be a hardship for any citizen.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I believe we would have legislators who were more representative of the wishes of the people if we were to switch to ranked-choice voting or mixed-member proportional representation.
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
We ought to promote a society that treats all people fairly and equally regardless of race or any other factor.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly 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.
A
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Disagree
From what I've read, fracking has led to strong negative impacts on the communities where it is used. As mentioned earlier, the government ought to protect life, liberty, and property, and if a company is poisoning the drinking water or ruining the soil through fracking or some other means, it ought to be held accountable for its actions.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The general purpose of government is to protect the life, liberty, and property of its citizens.
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?
Conservative
To borrow a quote from Richard Obenshain, "The most important goal in my life is to have some significant impact in preserving and expanding the realm of personal freedom in the life of this country." When I first got involved in politics, this concept was seen as the conservative ideal although now the term has been corrupted to mean whatever Republicans support even if it is against the values of liberty and limited government.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
I would be happy to do so once they become available. However, I did a radio show on 550 WSVA for many years and many of my answers can be found in their recordings.
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?
We need free and fair elections in Virginia. Currently, third-party and independent candidates are required to collect signatures in order to appear on the ballot while Democrats and Republicans are immune from these requirements if they choose to be. More competition in all areas of life leads to better outcomes.
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
Everyone should be held accountable for their actions regardless of their profession. The government shouldn't set special standards or exceptions for any profession. The key to liberty is to combine it with personal responsibility.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Neutral
In my hometown of Harrisonburg, the police have an MRAP. The militarization of the police is dangerous to liberty and, although police should be provided with sufficient funding, I would advocate selling off these military-grade vehicles and using the funds to bolster funding for both the police and mental health programs.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Although gun crimes have spiked in this country, responsible gun owners are not the problem and thus should not be punished. The 2nd Amendment is in place to protect the right of self-defense and serve as a guard against tyranny. I don't believe additional restrictions on gun ownership will solve this issue.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
