Lauren B. Peña
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Southern New Hampshire University, B.A. Political Science
University of Texas, Paralegal Certification
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Travis County Republican Party, Precinct Chair
Republican Party of Texas, State Delegate
Texas Federation of Republican Women, State Delegate
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
City of Austin Community Police Review Commission
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
United States Congress, CD37 Texas
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (6)
*Republican National Hispanic Assembly RNHA Texas
*Latinos United for Conservative Action LUCA
Texas Conservative Party
Veterans for America First VFAF Veterans for Trump
*Urban Conservatives of America UCA
OTHER (1)
The Garmon Organization
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Texas Conservative Party
Latinos United for Conservative Action (LUCA)
Moderate American Constitutional Party
The Menudo Club of Texas
Urban Conservatives of America
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
As a survivor of human trafficking, I understand the horror of sexual violence; however, I believe every child conceived, even under the most tragic circumstances, is a valuable human life worthy of protection. I do not believe elective abortion should be permitted.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Planned Parenthood was founded by Margaret Sanger, a known eugenicist who believed that people of color and people with disabilities were inferior forms of life. Continuing a legacy rooted in racism and eugenics is unacceptable, and taxpayers should not be forced to fund it.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
Requiring in-person appointments is an important preventive safeguard that can help identify women experiencing human trafficking, coercion, or domestic violence. Allowing abortion-inducing drugs to be distributed without meaningful in-person screening enables abuse to remain hidden and allows crimes against women to thrive. The Comstock Act should be enforced.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families.
Disagree
A strong middle class is essential to a prosperous nation. The better approach is lower taxes, responsible spending, and greater economic opportunity.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1-Eliminate federal programs that exceed the federal government’s constitutional authority and return those responsibilities to the states. 2-Strengthen oversight, auditing, and public transparency requirements for government programs and spending. 3-Impose meaningful penalties on program administrators who knowingly permit, conceal, or fail to address fraud, waste, and abuse.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
To me, “separation of church and state” means that the government cannot establish an official religion or interfere with our God-given right to practice our faith. It does not mean that Christians or other people of faith must leave their beliefs outside the doors of government. Our nation was founded on religious liberty, not freedom from religion.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, while broader healthcare reform should focus on opening insurance markets across state lines, increasing competition, lowering costs, and giving patients greater freedom of choice.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Neutral
The government should not maintain a database tracking Americans by their private medical conditions. Doing so threatens medical privacy, invites discrimination, and exceeds the proper role of government. Economic research can be conducted using anonymous data without identifying or monitoring individual citizens.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
The United States has become too involved in the affairs of other nations. Our foreign policy should put America first, protect our sovereignty, secure our borders, and avoid unnecessary foreign conflicts unless our nation or vital interests face an imminent threat.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Israel is one of America’s most important allies and the only stable democracy in the Middle East.
Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Individuals who respect our laws, pass thorough background and security checks, enter through the lawful immigration process, and demonstrate that they can contribute to and support themselves in the United States should be eligible to immigrate.
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
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 Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian. I strive to live with integrity, protect the vulnerable, defend truth, extend grace, and serve others faithfully.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear energy is the most reliable source for meeting America’s growing electricity demand. Investing in nuclear power will provide dependable, affordable energy, strengthen our energy independence, and create thousands of well-paying American jobs.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
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
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. The Second Amendment affirms that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Public safety should be protected by enforcing laws against violent criminals, not by restricting the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.
