

"Richie" Edmonds
Republican | Louisiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
"Richie" Edmonds
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist 66
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Bachelor's
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
JDRF (The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Southern States Chapter), Board Member, LAGOP State Central Committee
Member- District 14-C, East Baton Rouge Republican Party Parish Executive Committee RPEC, EBR District 3
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish
OTHER (3)
EastPAC/Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI)
Louisiana Home Builders Association LHBA
Louisiana Realtors PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Louisiana Home Builders Association LHBA/PAC
The Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish
OTHER INFORMATION
"Richie" Edmonds signed the Term Limits pledge
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe life begins at conception and am 100% pro-life.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I would support any changes that simplifies the tax code and reduces the tax burden on Louisiana citizens and businesses.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I think the entire budget should be scrutinized. Often times we spend everything that we have instead of spending for what we need and end up with shortfalls where healthcare and higher eduction pay the price.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
I am in favor of an accountable public education system for k-12 and am in favor of merit based TOPS for in state students.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
I do not believe it is acceptable for government to close places of worship.
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.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I do not believe COVID vaccines should be mandated for any reason. There are standard vaccinations that are required for public schools which I believe should remain in place with religious or health exemptions.
NATIONAL SECURITY
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.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Only people who go through the legal immigration process.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly 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.
Strongly Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised in a strong Christian family of faith with my father called to ministry as a pastor. This upbringing immersed me in the teachings of Christianity from an early age, providing a strong biblical foundation and faith in Jesus Christ. I now guide my family and raise my children with the same core beliefs of faith in Jesus Christ as our personal savior. I use every opportunity to deepen my personal relationship with God. Growing up in a pastor's family has given me unique insights into faith, service, community, shaping my commitment to living out the biblical principles of the Christian faith in my everyday life which I plan to continue even as a legislator.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I think that Louisiana does a great job at securing elections but we could always be doing a better job. We need to do a better job at making sure people with ill intentions are not involved in the election process. We could also do a better job at implementing technology that is tamper-proof and devoid of human error. Lastly, I would support yearly election audits.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is not a threat to domestic security, because no matter how abhorrent it is, it is free speech. We need to do a better job as a nation and as a human race to steer clear of divisive narratives and do a better job at loving one another as Christ does for us.
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) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The general purpose of government is to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve prosperity and to serve 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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://centralcitynews.us/?p=15266
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?
District 66 is very special to me. In 1988, we moved into this district. I was educated in this district, married in this district, had children in this district, live and raise my family in this district, worship in this district, and own and operate my business in this district. I want to continue the SERVICE to this district and our great state. I will prioritize improvements to education, safer communities, and a smart balanced state budget.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We need less restrictions on gun ownership and we need to do a better job a keeping guns out of criminals hands rather than legal gun owners.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Gambling should be limited to existing forms and should not be de-regulated or expanded.
Agree
Children should be protected from sexualization on the internet, in public schools, and in the public libraries
Strongly Agree
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