Chad E. Bennion
Republican | Utah
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Chad E. Bennion
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Senate, Dist. 29
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Oregon, Eugene, BA, 1990
WORK & MILITARY
Utah Corrections Lodge, Executive Director, Current
AFFILIATIONS
Republican Party, State and County Executive Committees, County Chair, various committees and local positions, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Member, Sunrise Rotary Club, Member
Washington County Historical Society, Member, USA Track & Field
Executive Committee, Board of Directors, USA Track & Field Utah, President, Treasurer
Grassroots, Utah, Member, National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL)
Energy & Electrical Utilities - Vice Chair, Utah Advisory Council on Inter-governmental Relations, Member
Cottonwood Hospital Advisory Board, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Representative - Utah House of Representatives, 1999 - 2004
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Utah Platform Republicans
OTHER INFORMATION
Evaluating the Performance of Utah Legislators (April 26, 2004) - The Utah Taxpayers Association listed the most Conservative and most Liberal House Republicans, and the most Conservative and most Liberal House Democrats. Chad E. Bennion was listed amongst the most Conservative House Republicans.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is at risk. I am pro-life.
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.
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I think the market place should determine compensation and that government should not get in the way. Employers generally want to provide the best compensation and benefits they can to retain skilled and knowledgeable employees.
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?
Religious freedom and liberty is a fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution and our State Constitution. State or Federal governments should not make laws "prohibiting the free exercise thereof[.]"
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
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.
70 percent of each healthcare dollar is spent at the beginning or at the end of life. My position is a "modified" C). We have significant waste issues in our healthcare system that need to be addressed. These programs are the safety net. In order to insure the programs are viable in the future, we need to make sure the funding covers the costs, that's the fiscally responsible position.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I support medical freedom. Polio vaccines, and other vaccines have helped many people, But the decisions for medical treatment, health maintenance, or prevention, should remain with the patient or the parents of the patient(minors).
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. This relationship has been built over the past century on mutual interests and shared values of freedom and liberty. They have been our strongest ally in the Middle-East and we should continue to partner with them to bring greater economic prosperity, freedom, and security to the region.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
The open border and unlawful immigration are costing this nation and our state far too much in taxes and resources. As state senator, I will propose legislation to eliminate incentives for illegal immigrants to come to Utah. Tax dollars should never be used to promote illegal behavior.
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.
Agree
There should be standards and accountability for however the tax dollars are utilized.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
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 believe that we are endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights. That our religious liberty is a foundational principle of our nation. I personally believe in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ is my Savior. Ultimately, I believe we are all accountable to God for our actions and deeds. As a public servant, I am also accountable to my constituents and need to answer to them for my actions on their behalf, and how well I uphold and protect their God-given rights and liberties. I am a reasonable man, but I am not a perfect one. I will do my best to find solutions without compromising correct principles.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Lincoln stated, that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Identity politics is tearing at the fabric of this nation. How can we be "one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all" when we being broken into factions by the color of our skin, our heritage, or our associations? Our ideals, as a nation, have always been ahead of our conduct. "Equal justice under law" needs to be more than just words on a building. We need to come together as Americans.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
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.
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.
A and C. We need to be wise and responsible stewards of our lands and resources while promoting and obtaining energy independence as a state and as a nation.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
At the present time, hydro-electric, natural gas, nuclear, and coal (fossil fuels). With technological advancements, that could change. But that is where we are currently.
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 and uphold our rights and liberties. Government should be limited and not intrusive into our lives, families and businesses.
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.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
"[T]he rights of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Laws should address criminal acts and behavior. Law abiding citizens should not have their rights infringed.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
If they are comfortable and qualified to do so, yes.
