Stan VanderWerf
Republican | Colorado
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Stan VanderWerf
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 12
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, Master of Science Industrial Engineering, 1983
University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, Master of Arts International Relations, 1986
Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington DC, Masters National Resource Strategy, 2006
WORK & MILITARY
UA Air Force, Colonel, 28
AFFILIATIONS
Hundreds of organizations, I will not list them all, El Paso County Board of County Commissioners
Director, Former Chairt, Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, Director, Former Chair
Pikes Peak Firearms Coaltion, President, Aerospace Defense Team (Economic Development)
Chair, UAS Colorado, Founding CEO
Pikes Peak Workforce Center, Director, Former Chair, Colorado State Board of Health
Director, Colorado Homeland Security Committee, Director
Freedom Center of the Rockies, Chair
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
County Commissioner, El Paso County, Colorado, 7+ years
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Terri Carver
OTHER (1)
John Suthers
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Numerous, over 30 so far, I will have more than 100 by the end of the campaign. I will name a few.
John Suthers (Former Mayor of Colorado Springs)
Michael Allen (District Attorney)
Terri Carver (Former State Legislator)
Bill Nelson (Lawyer)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (12)
State Republican Party Organizations (2022)
Doug Lamborn (2021)
Larry Liston (2020)
WinRed (2020)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Victoria Broerman (2019)
Bob Gardner (2017)
Casper Stockham (2017)
DANPAC (CO) (2017)
Larry Liston (2017)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Very limited. Life of mother or child. Rape or incest. Adoption or abstinence are always better solutions.
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
If a chemical abortion is to be used, an in-person consultation, I believe, is essential for the life and safety of the participants. Mail order chemical abortion drugs are not acceptable.
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.
Choose not to answer
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely essential.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
There should not be one. This should be market driven.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
This is a qualified no. It depends on the topic. Buying an electric car that costs three times that of a gas powered car is a bad public investment. Funding a local park with public money is good for the health of citizens and enjoyment of the outdoors. If investing in energy efficiency in a public building would produce a good return on investment regarding utility costs, this would be a good investment on behalf of the taxpayers. ESG as implemented in many communities is controversial.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
What? I cannot think of a circumstance except in dire situations like evacuations due to a forest fire.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly 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.
I am about choice so my view most closely aligns with "B". However, using taxpayer money to subsidize a government option harms the market and provides a disadvantage to private options. Options, in my opinion, via competition, produces better choices for people.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
There should be NO government mandates for vaccinations.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Serious is an understatement.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Why is manyfold. They are a beacon of stability in an unstable part of the world. They are a strategic ally of the US.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The US needs to close the border. However, this does not mean closing the 28 existing LEGAL entry points on the southern border. Entry into the US should be compliant with US law, the law established by Congress.
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
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.
Strongly 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.
Strongly Agree
However, the constitution rightly protects civil unions via the right to free assembly, e.g. the right to hang out with anyone you want in any way you want.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
God exists. Prayer is essential for your health and happiness. I could say a lot here. We can start with the ten commandments.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
A photo ID should be used to prevent corruption.
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?
Yes. Racism is NOT acceptable. But this also means racism against whites.
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.
A and C most closely resemble my views. The United States is THE most responsible steward of the environment. China is the greatest violator. If one really believes in C, then the best thing one can do is boycott Chinese products. China builds a new coal plant every week and doesn't scrub.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Fossil fuels today. Natural gas is cleanest but oil and coal can be managed. Methane hydrates are a huge reserve and exist almost exclusively within US jurisdiction. Nuclear in the future.
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 rights of citizens. Unfortunately, it has grown way beyond that. And as per the Constitution, federal government protects the nation from foreign enemies.
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
If the public is not safe, the community programs cannot function.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
People who commit violent crimes with guns should face severe penalties. Law abiding citizens who own guns should be respected, not vilified. Law abiding gun owners help provide public safety.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
I support the Colorado FASTER program. It provides training for teachers so they can safely carry and safety is essential. As President of the Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition, we help finance the FASTER program.
