William "Bill" Conerly
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
William "Bill" Conerly
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist 72
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, BSABE, 1997
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy and USNR, EM2(SW) - E5, 5y 2m (active) & ~2y (reserve)
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (3)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida
Greg Steube
OTHER (4)
Florida Realtors PAC
Associated Industries of Florida
Suncoast Professional Firefighters & Paramedics IAFF Local 2546
*ABC Florida East Coast
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Associated Industries of Florida
Sarasota County Sheriff Hoffman
Manatee County Professional Firefighters, Local 4074 (IAFF Local 4074)
Suncoast Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, Local 2546 (IAFF 2546)
US Congressman Greg Steube (Florida's District 17)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (11)
Greg Steube (2024)
James Buchanan (2024)
Ron DeSantis (2023)
Team DeSantis 2024 (2023)
Tommy Gregory (2023)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Florida Transportation Builders Association (2024)
Floridians United for a Sustainable Economy (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
Facebook post about candidate's primary win from FL Gun Owners.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Rape, incest and in rare circumstances, to preserve the life of the mother (case-by-case).
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
Consistent with response in No. 1.
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.
Disagree
This too should be decided by on a case-by-case basis, with input from doctors.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
I am a firm believer in the free market (free enterprise) and property rights.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
The minimum wage should be set by the free market. In addition, in many cases, an employee hired at the minimum wage is provided the opportunity to learn/develop skills that allow them to command a higher salary.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
My response to this question needs to be clarified. If a company is promoting their positions on ESG, I think that information should be utilized to make the decision NOT to invest in the company.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
I think the First Amendment is very clear, "... the right of the people peaceably to assemble...".
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Again, this would be a violation of a citizens Frist Amendment rights.
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.
Generally, I would agree with C.). But, with our current Presidential Administration, their inaction related to the border, has created conditions that an increase indigent care is needed. If the issues were properly resolved, the need for publicly funded health care would be greatly reduced
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None, with very limited exceptions. As a veteran, I do see the benefit of vaccinating our military members for the preciously acceptable disease inoculations such as small pox, TB, polio, etc..
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Currently, China is the greatest threat to world peace and US security.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, Israel has been a very strong and dependable partner to the US. In addition, they are the only Democracy in the Middle East and have been important in the war on terror, intelligence and stability in the Middle East.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Securing the border is necessary for the safety of our citizens and the stability of our economy.
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe our rights are God given and must be protected as such. I believe in the trinity. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and no man comes to the Father, but through him.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Election security and integrity has become a significant concern. We should take every opportunity to preserve this right.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
While I am not familiar with the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, I am a firm believer in the Electoral College, as it tend to mitigate the influence the most populous states have over the process and allowing the less populous state to be very relevant in the election process.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. But I do think there are those who do intentionally use the false "American is racist" narrative to incite hate and discontent.
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.
My general responses would be A.) and C.). However, there may be situations B.) is an appropriate response. For example, the removal of lead from gasoline was argued to be costly, but the public benefit out weight those cost.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear is the most reliable energy source. Unfortunately, the average citizen has no basis of understanding for the operation of a nuclear power plant.
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 maintain order and stability, protect citizens, and provide a framework for a properly functioning society.
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
I am both socially and fiscally conservatives.
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?
Keeping the guns away from criminals and convicted felons. I am a firm believer that armed citizens deter crime.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Yes, if properly trained.
