Luanne Van Werven

Republican | Washington

Candidate Profile*

Conservative

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Luanne Van Werven


Party

Republican


Election Year

2020


Election

Primary


Race

State Rep., Dist. 42 - Pos. 1


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Luanne Van Werven websites
Luanne Van Werven phones
Luanne Van Werven email
FacebookXYouTubeInstagram

EDUCATION

Bellevue College, Bellevue, 1976

WORK & MILITARY

(Candidate did not provide)

AFFILIATIONS

Washington State Republican Party, Vice Chair

Whatcom Republicans, Chair

Whatcom Republicans, State Committeewoman

Washington Eagle Forum, Legislative Director

Sec. of State Election Advisory Committee, member

Whatcom County Youth Advisory Committee, member

First Reformed Church, attend

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

State Representative, 6

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

SCORECARDS

CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS


LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
OTHER (3)

Associated Builders and Contractors Western Washington; Associated General Contractors of Washington Build PAC; *Washington State Farm Bureau PAC

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)

Lynden Mayor Scott Korthuis; Sumas Mayor Kyle Christensen; Everson Mayor John Perry; Nooksack Mayor Jim Ackerman; Blaine Mayor Bonnie Onyon

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (27)

Dan Griffey (2012); Dan Newhouse (2016); Dave Hayes (2018); Doug Ericksen (2014); Elizabeth Scott (2016)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (11)

Bill Bryant (2014); Dan Kristiansen (2014); Doug Ericksen (2014); Drew MacEwen (2014); Gun Owners Action - Florida (2016)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)

General Contractors' Association of Pennsylvania (2016)

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.

Strongly Agree

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.

Strongly Agree

I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.

Strongly Agree

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

Abortion should be allowed when life of mother is in jeopardy


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.

Strongly Agree

Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.

Agree

Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.

Strongly Agree

I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.

Yes

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

The phrase "separation of church and state" came from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson and is not found in our U.S. Constitution. The first amendment to the US Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." It is clear to me that as Americans we have the legal right to freely live our faith


NATIONAL SECURITY

The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.

Agree


HEALTHCARE

It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.

Disagree

How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?

More focus on free market solutions, with individuals in charge of their health care decisions. Legislative oversight to provide access to affordable and quality health care.


ECONOMY

It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.

Disagree

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?

Again, this is a federal issue of which I have no oversight as a state legislature.


IMMIGRATION

I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.

Strongly Agree

State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.

Agree

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

This is a federal issue that I do not have jurisdiction over as a state representative. I support legal immigration but do not support undocumented people gaining entrance to the U.S. through illegal means.


EDUCATION

Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.

Disagree


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?

Yes

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

Back ground checks are important to ensure felons do not access firearms. Military style assault weapons should be available to military only.


OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Strongly Disagree

The Electoral College should be abolished.

Strongly Disagree

In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?

Enacting the Washington pain capable unborn child protection act. Withdrawing from the interstate compact to elect the president by national popular vote. Increasing the abundance of salmonids in Washington waters.

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

Racism is real in certain areas in our country. At this writing we are witnessing riots in many cities as a result of injustice against a black man in Minneapolis. It's hard to deny the resulting riots are not a threat to domestic security.


JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY

I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.

Strongly Disagree


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?

Conservative

Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.

My primary and secondary sponsored bills: https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSponsorship/Member?Chamber=House&ChannelName=vanwerven&Biennium=2019-20 Link to my 2020 voting record: http://leg.wa.gov/House/Representatives/Documents/MemberRollCalls/2020/VanWerven.pdf

What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?

Christian education developed critical thinking analysis and evaluation of issues in formulating a Christian worldview. Built a successful family business with husband, Larry. Raised four children into successful and responsible adults.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.

No

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

I respect the rights of all people to express their deeply help beliefs and opinions and expect my voice to be equally respected. I am committed to servant leadership in my community and have dedicated this time in my life to serving my district with integrity and fairness. I am honored to serve the 42nd District as state representative.


VALUES

Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.

Strongly Agree

I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.

Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a born again believer and Christ follower. Biblical principles guide my life.

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