Vivian Watts

Democrat | Virginia

Candidate Profile

Verified Liberal

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Vivian Watts


Party

Democrat


Election Year

2019


Election

General


Race

House of Delegates, Dist. 39


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Vivian Watts websitesVivian Watts phones Vivian Watts email

EDUCATION

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, BA, 62

WORK & MILITARY

Fairfax CASA, Executive Director, 1993-2000

consultant, See www/VivianWatts.com

Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, Dir of Research & Legislative Activities, 1977-79

AFFILIATIONS

See www/VivianWatts.com

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Virginia Sec of Transportation & Public Safety, 1986-90

Virginia Delegate, 1982-85; 1996 -

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Chair, Fairfax Board of Supervisors, 1981

Race

Previous Races

SCORECARDS

CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS


LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS

ENDORSEMENTS

LIBERAL (7)

1planet

Emily's List

LGBT Democrats of Virginia

Virginia League of Conservation Voters PAC

Virginia NOW

OTHER (2)

Northern Virginia Realtors PAC (NV/RPAC)

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)

Sierra Club

League of Conservation Voters

LGBT Virginia Democrats

Emily's List

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (12)

ActBlue (2019)

College Democrats of America (2016)

Commonwealth Victory Fund (2011)

David W. (Dave) Marsden (2017)

Eileen Filler-Corn (2011)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (13)

Amalgamated Transit Union (2011)

American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (2018)

Communication Workers of America (2017)

Democratic Latino Organizations (2007)

Equality Virginia (2007)

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.

Strongly Disagree

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.

No Answer

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

As permitted under U.S. Supreme Court decisions to protect the health of the woman


ECONOMY

It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.

Disagree

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Agree

Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

No Answer

Socialism provides a robust foundation for a stable economy.

Disagree

What is the best way to bring down unemployment?

Education starting with Pre-K to break the cycle of poverty by closing the readiness gap for children from economically disadvantages households, lowering class sizes in grades K-3, and greatly enhancing certification programs for skilled occupations that require more than a high school degree but less than a 4-year college degree.

What role should government play in boosting the economy?

Investing in transportation and communication infrastructure, supporting and strengthening education at all levels, facilitating basic research, attracting employers without using tax incentives, and engaging in trade missions to expand markets.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or business owners because of their deeply held religious beliefs.

Agree

Governments should not penalize those who define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.

Strongly Disagree

Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.

Agree


HEALTHCARE

It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.

Disagree

How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?

Through preserving Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, preserving coverage of pre-existing conditions, emphasizing prevention and early screening, supporting alternatives to captive drug pricing.


NATIONAL SECURITY

I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.

Strongly Disagree

I support sanctuary cities.

No Answer

Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.

Strongly Disagree

The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.

Neutral


EDUCATION

Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.

Disagree


VALUES

Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Agree

Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.

Agree

People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."

Agree

Free speech is under attack on public university and college campuses.

Disagree

Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.

No Answer

What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?

fallibility

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

The Golden Rule Mathew 25:40 Mathew 7:1-2 Parable of the Talents Married in a white dress, with mutual loyalty and support that has lasted 59 years.


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?

Somewhat Liberal

Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.

vivianwatts.com / About Me vivianwatts.com / Vivian's Views vivianwatts.com / The Election https://www.vpap.org/ http://leg1.state.va.org

What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?

Graduating cum laude from the University of Michigan with a strong liberal arts education that prepared me for lifetime learning. Over 15 years of active community involvement. Serving as Virginia Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety. A wide-range of employment from Director of Research and Legislative Activities for the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce to Executive Director of Fairfax Court-Appointed Special Advocates assigned to the most severe cases of child abuse and neglect.

E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:

vwatts@erols.com

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

I'm using this space to address questions I didn't answer: 13. I support funding of over 85% of Planned Parenthood's health service expenditures that aren't related to abortion. 14. I greatly value Virginia's triple-A bond rating which reflects our budget discipline, but I need details of a Balanced Budget Amendment. 16. Virginia doesn't have sanctuary cities. Bills prohibiting them are un-necessary at best and bad policy at worse if they lead to predatory exploitation of immigrants that are afraid of law enforcement. 19. I have voted for the death penalty but am deeply concerned that Virginia law doesn't fully allow for exculpatory evidence after conviction. 23. While parents should take full responsibility, having worked extensively with abused and neglected children, I can't give a blanket answer to this question.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support the death penalty.

No Answer

Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.

Disagree


2ND AMENDMENT

More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.

Strongly Agree


OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Agree

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