Miguel Barajas
Libertarian | Maryland
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Miguel Barajas
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 3
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Bowie State University, Bowie, BS Psychology, 2023
Walden University, Columbia, MA CMHC, 2024
WORK & MILITARY
US Army, 28
AFFILIATIONS
FOB Azimuth, Director
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Neutral
Any funding received should come from the communities the providers serve not state or federal funds.
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 Disagree
This should be left completely up to the consumer to manage
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Any circumstance with the only restriction level by the persons involved directly.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
No
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
To allow Americans to keep more of their income and wealth, a radical restructuring of government and taxation could be implemented. The cornerstone of this approach would be the elimination of income taxes, significantly boosting take-home pay.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
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
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Separation of church and state means the government is not a divine entity and has no authority in matters of faith. It protects both religious freedom and freedom from religion. The state should not meddle in personal beliefs or impose any religion on its citizens. Equally, religious institutions should not control government affairs or lawmaking. This separation ensures individuals can practice their faith freely without state interference, while maintaining a neutrality.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
We should protect rights even for those we may disagree.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None
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.
Option C aligns with maintaining the current system of Medicaid and Medicare while avoiding further government expansion into healthcare. This approach preserves safety nets for low-income individuals, seniors, and people with disabilities without introducing new taxpayer-funded programs. Only funded by the communities served.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
Option C advocates for a more restrained U.S. foreign policy focused primarily on national sovereignty and security. This view holds that America has overextended itself globally, often at the expense of domestic priorities. It suggests the U.S. should limit its international involvement to situations directly threatening 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?
The U.S.-Israel relationship is important for several key reasons. Strategically, Israel is a crucial ally in the Middle East, offering vital intelligence and military cooperation.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
The decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention stems from various factors, including social changes. A perceived loss of traditional values like patriotism and duty may reduce interest in military service. Growing social divides create a disconnect between the military and certain population segments. Other contributing factors include a strong civilian job market, declining physical fitness among youth, increased focus on college education, and demographic changes limiting eligibility.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
U.S. immigration should prioritize individuals who offer value to the nation. This includes those with needed skills, particularly in areas facing shortages like certain STEM fields or healthcare. Immigrants should have clean criminal records to ensure public safety. They must be willing to follow U.S. laws and regulations, demonstrating a commitment to integrating into American society while retaining their cultural heritage.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
However, this definition is recognized as a matter of faith. The government should not have the authority to define or alter religious marriage. Instead, the state's role should be limited to governing civil unions for legal purposes. This approach separates religious belief from legal partnership, allowing anyone to enter civil unions regardless of their personal or faith-based definition of marriage.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Local communities must control this and the issue will resolve itself.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My spiritual beliefs center on freedom and personal responsibility. They are guided by the Nine Noble Virtues: Courage to face challenges, Truth in all dealings, Honor in maintaining integrity, Fidelity in relationships and commitments, Discipline for self-improvement, Hospitality towards others, Self-Reliance in personal affairs, Industriousness in work and endeavors, and Perseverance through hardships. These virtues form the core of my moral framework, emphasizing individual growth, ethical behavior, and strong character. This spiritual outlook values personal accountability, resilience, and living with purpose, while respecting the freedom of others to follow their own paths.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be preserved to prevent the tyranny of populism and maintain balance between urban and rural interests. This system ensures diverse regional representation in presidential elections, preventing densely populated cities from dominating rural communities, and vice versa. It requires candidates to appeal to a broader geographic base, not just population centers. The Electoral College gives smaller states and rural areas a meaningful voice in national politics.
EQUALITY
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
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
Climate change, while a concern, should not be addressed through urgent political action. Instead, the focus should be on individual responsibility and personal choices. The problem stems from collective individual behaviors, so solutions must start at the personal level. This approach emphasizes changing individual habits and lifestyle choices over government mandates or regulations. Grassroots efforts and consumer decisions are seen as more effective in driving environmental improvements.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
A reliable energy future likely combines advanced nuclear, improved renewables with storage, and natural gas. This mix balances stability, sustainability, and growing demand. While intriguing, Tesla's Earth rotation energy concept remains unproven
ABOUT YOU
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?
Moderate
My overall worldview is best described as "absolute liberty with absolute responsibility." This philosophy champions maximum individual freedom in all areas of life, balanced by personal accountability for one's actions and choices. It favors minimal government intervention in economic, social, and personal matters, emphasizing self-reliance and personal initiative. This stance supports free market principles, religious liberty without state interference, and a non-interventionist foreign policy
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Live and cooperate with one another.
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
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I support communities creating and funding their own programs and the ones that are effective will be emulated elsewhere.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Restrict from felons, those with mental health issues on medications, and non citizens. Any community that restricts beyond this must be responsible and not have immunity from lapses in the protection of the community.
