David J. Leavitt

Republican | Idaho

Candidate Profile

Conservative (Conditional)

BIOGRAPHY

Name

David J. Leavitt


Party

Republican


Election Year

2024


Election

Republican Primary


Race

State Rep., Dist. 25B


Incumbent

No


Links

David J. Leavitt websites
FacebookX

EDUCATION

Candidate did not provide

WORK & MILITARY

US Army, SGT CAT-A NCOIC, 12

AFFILIATIONS

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Candidate did not provide

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (4)

Stop Idaho RINOs PAC

Idaho Freedom Pac

iLuvIdaho.org

Citizens Alliance Idaho

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)

Colton Bennett (2024)

Glenneda Zuiderveld (2023)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)

Think Liberty Idaho (2024)


OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

If it is an abortion is an elective abortion this means that the abortion is being used as a means of birth control. The preamble to the Declaration of Independence asserts that all individuals are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Government is instituted to protect these rights, and I firmly believe that all life, regardless of age, should be protected.

Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

Strongly Agree

I oppose the use of chemical abortions as a form of contraception. I believe that birth control methods proven to be effective, such as the daily pill, which inhibits ovulation, should be accessible over the counter for adults aged 18 and older. Similar restrictions that apply to tobacco, including providing information about potential risks, should also apply to these types of birth control.

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

Strongly Agree

I believe that nonprofit organizations, including Planned Parenthood, which operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, should not receive tax dollars. These organizations should leverage their nonprofit status and merits to raise funds independently. In my view, charity and assistance programs are best left to the private sector, and government should not be involved in such matters.

I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Strongly Disagree

The preamble to the Declaration of Independence asserts that all individuals are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Government is instituted to protect these rights, and I firmly believe that all life, regardless of age, should be protected.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Under what circumstances can government close churches?

I advocate for free market principles and reject the idea that the government has the constitutional authority to establish protected classes of citizens. There appears to be a misinterpretation or distortion of the 14th Amendment, which clearly mandates equal protection under the law without creating special classes of individuals.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree

I believe in free market principles and equal application of the law and reject the idea that the government has the constitutional authority to establish protected classes of citizens. Private businesses, distinct from government entities, should have the freedom to operate as they wish, as long as they do not infringe upon people's life, liberty, or property.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

The Chinese Communist Party poses major threats to the US in military, cyber security, IP, and global economy. To address, I propose restrictions on foreign land purchases, bringing industries back for oversight, and reviewing immigration programs for stricter checks.

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes, the United States' relationship with Israel is important to me for religious and strategic reasons. However, the ongoing conflict leaves me weary. I'm tired of the bloodshed; I don't want to see more lives lost. The true victims are the soldiers and civilians caught in the crossfire, enduring the consequences of failed diplomacy.


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.

As a veteran, I've experienced the shortcomings of socialized medicine through the VA. While generally aligning with option D, I propose a restructuring of the VA. Close most facilities, keep select ones, and establish a single-payer system for veterans. The VA's role would focus on disability compensation and medical bill coverage.

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

Individual choices shouldn't be coerced by government, schools, or employers. Personal responsibility is key; I'm accountable for myself, and you for yourself. Education promotes informed consent, respecting individual autonomy.


ECONOMY

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

Strongly Agree

Property rights are a fundamental right enshrined in the constitution. The founders recognized property ownership as inherent. Without it, essential freedoms like association, speech, assembly, and economic freedom are unachievable.

What is your position on the minimum wage?

Wages should reflect value and contribution, aligning with meritocracy. Minimum wage fosters unrealistic expectations, ignoring experience and true value. Internships should be compensated for their genuine contribution.

Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?

No

I oppose the use of environmental and social issues, including ESG ratings, as criteria in deciding where to invest public funds. I believe that companies should prioritize their responsibility to their shareholders above all else. Introducing ESG metrics diverts attention and resources away from shareholder interests and toward external influences.


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Strongly Agree

I fully support President Trump's stance on securing the southern border. It's imperative to enforce our immigration laws and physically secure the border. I propose stricter measures, such as imposing a minimum fine of $40,000 on industries, including agriculture, for every failed I-9 audit. This penalty aligns with average wages for American workers in these sectors.


EDUCATION

The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.

Strongly Agree

I fully support education funding where dollars follow the child, enabling parents to freely choose their child's school. I support Trump's stance to abolish the Department of Education, as its top-down approach stifles critical thinking and curiosity. Education should be decentralized, empowering parents and communities to shape education based on local morals and values.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Strongly Disagree

I do not support redirecting funds from police to community programs. Law enforcement needs should align with community preferences, not federal or state initiatives. Grants should be decided by citizens through ballots, preserving community autonomy.


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

I believe in due process of the law, and if an individual has been convicted of participating in a violent crime, they should not be allowed to carry firearms. However, I also believe in the principle of grace, allowing non-violent offenders to appeal for the restoration of their rights after serving their sentence.

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?

Yes

Yes, currently, schools are soft targets. We should do a better job at hardening our schools by allowing teachers who wish to carry concealed firearms and have been trained to do so.


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

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

The general purpose of government, in my view, is to uphold and protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens. It should provide essential services, such as national security, infrastructure, and public safety, while also promoting economic stability and individual prosperity. Additionally, government should ensure fairness and justice, uphold the rule of law, and represent the interests of the people it serves.

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

When considering various issues, I align with conservatism. Prioritizing individual freedom, limited government intervention, traditional values, and a strong national defense. I value personal responsibility, free markets, and constitutional principles. I adopt a noninterventionist stance in foreign policy, favoring peace, commerce, and diplomacy.


VALUES

Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.

Strongly Agree

Absolutely! We must take every measure to shield children from predators and all forms of abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation. It's critical to consider the long-term consequences, as bodily mutilation often leads to serious regrets, similar to tattoos. Furthermore, there's a lack of conclusive studies supporting the effectiveness or safety of gender mutilation.

Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.

Strongly Agree

Parents should absolutely have the right to make decisions for their minor children. They are the primary caregivers and in the best position to understand their children's unique needs and make choices that align with their family's values and beliefs, except in the case of gender ideology and bodily mutilation.

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Strongly Disagree

No, taxpayer funds should not be allocated to provide gender transition services. However, in rare medical conditions like Müllerian agenesis or Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome, coverage should be provided.

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 do believe that marriage is a God-ordained, sacred union between one man and one woman. However, I hold the view that the government should not interfere in marriage, as it is a commitment between two individuals who love each other and their creator. As imperfect beings, we are not entitled to judge others, knowing that we will all be held accountable for our actions by our creator.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

My spiritual beliefs and values are rooted in a reverence for traditional Christian teachings. I cherish the importance of rational inquiry and individual conscience, allowing for personal interpretation and application of these teachings in a way that aligns with my faith. I uphold the principles of religious freedom and the separation of church and state, while striving to live a life guided by compassion, morality, and the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing love, forgiveness, and grace.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

No. I believe that individuals should be required to present valid photo identification in order to vote. However, our current situation is complicated by efforts to provide illegal aliens with identification, potentially affecting elections. This issue needs to be addressed in order to ensure that valid identification also confirms citizenship and eligibility to vote.

States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.

Strongly Disagree

I oppose states joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, as it would render the Electoral College irrelevant and tarnish the aspects of federalism. Abolishing the Electoral College could result in a mob rule mentality, where densely populated areas hold disproportionate sway over policy, disenfranchising rural populations. We see this imbalance in states like Oregon, where densely populated areas have more influence over policy than rural areas, silencing minority voices.


EQUALITY

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

No, I do not believe that racism poses a threat to domestic security in the United States. I see racism as a divisive tool rather than a genuine threat. While racism may have been in decline, it has been revived by divisive individuals seeking to oppress and victimize noble and strong people. I believe that the only form of racism that exists is 'reverse racism,' where individuals falsely claim victimhood despite perpetuating racism themselves.

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Strongly Disagree

No, I do not agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT). I believe CRT promotes racism rather than addressing it. Instead, I advocate for meritocracy, where individuals are judged based on their value and character, rather than being categorized by race or ethnicity.

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 Disagree

I strongly oppose biological males participating in women's sports or using facilities designated for biological women. It's morally wrong and indecent for the opposite sex to invade private spaces. Scientific evidence shows physiological differences, disadvantaging women in sports against biological men.


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.

I choose options A & C. It's our responsibility to protect local environments. Industries must be accountable for harm caused. Regulatory bureaucrats often protect industries, tolerating harm. Our energy sector is vital, supporting our economy and currency's value.

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

I believe hydrocarbons are the most reliable energy sources. Thorium-based nuclear reactors show promise. Decentralizing grid infrastructure is a must to avoid mass outages; decentralization ensures resilience.

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