
Anthony J. Penland
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Asheville Buncombe Technical College, Asheville, Associate in Applied Science, 2003-2006
Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, Bachelor of Science, 2013-2015
WORK & MILITARY
Swannanoa Fire Department, Fire Chief, 1990-
AFFILIATIONS
North Carolina State Firefighters' Associaiton, Past-President, 2013-2020
Western NC Association of Firefighters, Secretary, 2009-
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Buncombe County Commissioner, 2020-2020
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Buncombe County Commissioner, 2020-
Buncombe County Commissioner, 2022-
NC General Assembly House District 115, 2026-
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
North Carolina Values Coalition
OTHER (1)
North Carolina Police Benevolent Association
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
NC Police Benevolent Association
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Mark Crawford (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including funds for “family planning,” contraception, or abortion counseling).
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
For Medical reasons only.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
Existing Federal laws that prohibit the interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I support increasing salaries for our workforce. I cannot support a government mandate requiring it. I believe we should work with businesses, provide incentives, and eliminate the regulations that do not allow for growth.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Audits, Accountability, Eliminate Redundancy in government programs, and Eliminate Some of the Bureaucracy
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The state should not prohibit its citizens from any form of worship or prayer. I believe it is not saying that the right to pray or worship should be prohibited in state-owned public buildings. A person's right to prayer should not be limited just to the church, as long as everyone has the same opportunity.
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.
Good-quality health care should be available to all our citizens. Medicare and Medicaid should be available to those who meet the qualifications for those programs. Affordable insurance should be available to those who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. Eliminate any fraud in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, then enhance the benefits for those qualified for the programs.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
Quality health care should not be labelled as a burden of treatment. Insurance companies and the government should not be in the consulting business as to who needs medical care. All should have access to health care, either by paying for private insurance or meeting the qualifications for Medicaid or Medicare. Abusing either or defrauding either should be dealt with.
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. The Bible is clear about Israel. Israel is to be protected and has the right to protect itself.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Attempts to transition a child to the opposite sex are harmful to that child and should be prohibited.
Strongly Agree
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
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God's Holy Word, the Bible. I am a Christian who believes that one day I will stand and be judged. I live my life so that there will be no doubt.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
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
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Natural gas fired power plants. Alternative energy sources are fine, but are they as reliable as the current set up of our power plants. I do not believe that they are. As we continue to grow as a state, we need to make sure that we can handle it.
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?
Very Conservative
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
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
To arrest and convict those members of society who break the law. Support the victims by holding those responsible accountable.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Continue to support the restrictions where those convicted of felonies, domestic violence, and those who are addicted to drugs are not permitted to carry a gun. Gun ownership should not be restricted to those who are law abiding citizens.
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