Ben G. Fuhriman
Republican | Idaho
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ben G. Fuhriman
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 30B
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
BYU Idaho, Rexburg, Bachelors, 2015
Montana State University, Bozeman, Masters, 2023
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Many, Boy Scouts of America
Rank of Eagle, Board Member, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Past Board Member
Idaho Republican Party, State Youth Committeeman
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Precinct Committeeman, 2
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (1)
Idaho Dairy Industry PAC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Mike Simpson (2024)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Way Back PAC (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
Ben Fuhriman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Abortions should be rare. The only exceptions are when pregnancy resulted from forcible rape or incest, a competent physician determines that the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy, or a competent physician determines that the fetus has severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth. We should be promoting adoption and encouraging life whenever possible but not criminalizing those who find themselves in a situation where such rare exceptions would apply.
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
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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.
Neutral
These situations are complicated. I'm a proponent of freedom of choice, even if I don't agree with the choices made. I don't know that I would support laws around this, but I also don't know if I would fight against them. There would need to be a lot of guardrails around the situation to protect all parties involved.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
A minimum wage should not be turned into a living wage. It's meant to be introductory by nature and workers should seek skills that make them more valuable than a minimum wage.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Government should never be able to close churches as a blanket mandate without a warrant or probable cause. Encouragement and incentives should be used if the government felt it was necessary. What happened during covid was a gross overreach of government.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
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.
Our society needs safety nets for our most vulnerable citizens. However, our healthcare system is so messed up. Hospitals should not be able to charge $34 for ibuprofen. Before we attack insurance companies, we need to reform our healthcare system--then we can reform insurance.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Some occupations have unique requirements. Businesses should be able to determine what is best for their business, clients/customers, and staff. The Government should not be involved in mandating vaccinations.
NATIONAL SECURITY
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?
Israel is a democracy with personal property rights in a very hostile part of the world. We should support them every way we can.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
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.
Disagree
Idaho's first responsibility is to a "thorough system of public, free common schools" per the constitution. While I support all forms of education as each has its unique purpose and provides opportunities for all types of students, public dollars should be prioritized to public education. That is our constitutional duty.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
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.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe citizens should have the right to worship God where and how they please. I believe the family is the most important unit on earth and that strong families create strong citizens. I believe we should have empathy and compassion for all of God's children and creations. While I have my deeply held core beliefs, I understand that they are not shared by all. I have respect for all sincere religious beliefs and enjoy fair and respectful religious conversations. I feel that agency and the freedom of choice are crucial to a functioning society, and I support government action that allows for freedom of choice over mandates. Behavior should be incentivized, not forced.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a threat to civility and common decency. When racism leads to hate which leads to crimes against others, it becomes a threat to society.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
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
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.
C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. We should also make reasonable and responsible attempts to care for our environment and planet.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear
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?
To protect the citizens from threats both domestic and foreign. To incentivize commerce and regulate it in a reasonable fashion. To help provide opportunities in appropriate ways for citizens to advance and progress in their lives.
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?
Conservative
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We need to be realistic: If a criminal wants a gun, they will get one. Let's not make onerous rules and regulations on the law-abiding citizen. Restrictions should be reasonable and practical.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
I believe reasonable compromises can be made on this issue.
