Cat A. Porterfield
Democrat | Virginia
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Cat A. Porterfield
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2023
Election
General and Fairfax County and Loudoun County School Boards
Race
House of Delegates, Dist. 99
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, HI, No degree, 1991-93
Irvine Valley College, Irvine, CA, No degree, 93-95
WORK & MILITARY
Atkinson Realty, Realtor & Property Manager, 8 years
Independent Newsmedia Inc., Editor/General Manager/Publisher, 12
AFFILIATIONS
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Auxiliary member & Volunteer, Stand Up for Kids
Volunteer, Bowers Beach Maritime Museum, Past Vice President
Milford Delaware Chamber of Commerce, Past Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Virginia Beach City Council District 6, 2022
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (5)
VOTEPROCHOICE
LGBT Democrats of Virginia
Planned Parenthood Advocates Virginia
Virginia LGBT + Democrats
Aaron Rouse
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Senator Aaron Rouse - D/ Planned Parenthood/ Family Friendly Virginia/ LGBTQ Dem Caucus/ Vote Pro Choice
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
ActBlue (2023)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2023)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Clean Virginia Fund (2023)
Win Virginia (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Abortion should be allowed unless it violates a doctor's oath to do no harm. Doctors are not killing viable babies. That is a myth and a scare tactic. This is not a decision government needs to be involved with.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Disagree
Women's access to healthcare benefits communities in myriad ways. So yes, absolutely, women's healthcare should benefit from public funding.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Agree
This is yet another medical decision and not one for politicians. Forcing people to stay alive while suffering when their request is to die, is barbaric.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Close tax loopholes that allow certain individuals or corporations to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Examine subsidies that disproportionately benefit specific groups and that are excessive or unneeded, particularly within the energy sector. Also, look at foreign aid spending and determine if it's being spent effectively.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Agree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
Too vague. Are we talking about wedding cakes, essential services, or benefits for employees?
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
A proven pattern of abuse (financial, physical, emotional) of members and/or activities that violate their tax-exempt status.
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?
When the greater public health is at risk.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
1. Intelligence-sharing and global collaborative efforts to dismantle terrorist networks. 2. Identify and disrupt funding sources. 3) Anti-discrimination and cultural awareness. Promote cultural sensitivity and understanding within domestic and foreign policies. Avoid policies that might alienate or discriminate that could lead to radicalization in communities. 4. Identify and monitor radical language and discussion online to identify and work against budding terrorist threats.
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
I have to consider the diverse perspectives surrounding the BDS movement carefully. While I respect the right to protest peacefully, it is crucial any actions taken do not harm the economy or undermine diplomatic efforts. I believe in promoting dialogue and peaceful resolutions to conflicts, and I would work to foster open discussions that encourage understanding and cooperation between all parties.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
I agree there should be more in the way of infrastructure, but there must be a more humanitarian way to secure our border that doesn't separate families and also considers the humanity of asylum seekers. Being more welcoming in our immigration policies would support economic growth through the labor and consumer spending of immigrant workers.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe anyone should be allowed to APPLY for immigration provided they aren't escaping law enforcement in their country of origin or present a threat to the safety and well-being of the US and its citizens.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Disagree
School choice simply means the school gets to choose the student, not the other way around as it's being pitched. As an education reporter, I covered several failed charter and private schools and the effect on the students and families involved is devastating. It's time to invest more in public education, not look for alternative schooling options. Let's fix what we have.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Disagree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Agree
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian who has become disenchanted with organized religion as I watch others of faith turning their backs on the teachings of Christ in favor of hateful rhetoric and mob-think mentalities. Most Christians aren't acting as Christ directed them to act while churches are seeking political power. It's unsettling and seems to be fracturing churches.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I'd like to see voting become more accessible.
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Agree
It's never to late to begin correcting historic wrongs. In fact, it's more civilized to do so.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Radical racist groups such as white nationalists are stoking social divisions and tensions which can create destablilization in communities. Racial tensions and disparities can contribute to various negative outcomes, such as: Social Unrest: Racial discrimination and injustice can lead to protests, demonstrations, and even violent conflicts, which can disrupt public order and stability.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Agree
Reparations would be given to descendants of slaves. That's different than just "race."
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
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Disagree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Establish laws to enforce behavior for citizens, protect citizens from outside harm, and provide for their well-being and happiness through representation.
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?
Lean Liberal
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?
I'm running because I am witnessing the state-sanctioned erosion of civil liberties and the rights of Americans are being threatened by their own government. This is my number one legislative priority: PEOPLE. State government should be driven by community members and local activists and not political elites with corporate interests. With this shift in leadership, everyday citizens and marginalized groups can build a sense of collective power and influence, and create meaningful change in their communities.
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
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Neutral
"Redirect" is a tricky word. I'd like to see police departments keep their funding, but reimagine some spending to support mental health and community programs WITHIN law enforcement.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Only one gun should be purchased in a single transaction. Every gun purchased should require a separate background check. Those threatening gun violence through domestic abuse or harassment of others need to forfeit their firearms for a specified period (cooling off) time. Stricter regulations for gun storage, specifically in homes where children or those with mental illness could gain access. I would not vote for or present any law that punished law-abiding gun owners, but will support regulations that limit access and take guns out of the hands of those who would do harm.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Neutral
