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Meet the Candidate

Craig Staats

Running For:
REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
District:
145

Political Affiliation:
REP
Age:
65
Occupation:
State Representative
Biographical Info: (click to expand)
Why are you running for office? (click to expand)

Survey

Response Legend

  • YYes
  • NNo
  • UUndecided
  • −Declined to Respond / Position Unknown / Unclear
  • *Comment
  • †Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Should all voters be required to show identification before voting? Y* Requiring identification to vote is a commonsense safeguard that helps protect the integrity of our elections and strengthens public confidence in the results. Pennsylvania should require voter ID while ensuring every eligible citizen has reasonable access to an acceptable form of identification.
2. Should the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act be amended to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," which could require public schools and other public facilities to open up restrooms and locker rooms to members of the opposite sex? N* I believe every Pennsylvanian should be treated with dignity and respect, but we should not adopt policies that undermine the privacy and safety of women and children. Schools and public facilities should be able to maintain sex-specific restrooms and locker rooms based on biological sex, while making reasonable accommodations for individuals when appropriate.
3. Should marijuana be legalized and sold commercially for recreational use? N* I do not support the commercial legalization of recreational marijuana. Pennsylvania should be focused on strengthening families, protecting our children, supporting law enforcement, and keeping our communities safe. I have serious concerns about the consequences of expanding access to recreational drugs simply to create another source of government revenue.
4. Should increases in state government spending be limited to the rate of inflation plus population growth? Y* Pennsylvania families have to live within their means, and state government should too. Limiting spending growth to inflation plus population growth is a commonsense way to protect taxpayers, encourage fiscal discipline, and prevent government from growing faster than the taxpayers who fund it.
5. Should Pennsylvania make cuts to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) student scholarship program? N* Pennsylvania should protect the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, which gives families more educational options and helps students access schools that best meet their needs. Rather than cutting successful scholarship programs, we should focus on giving parents greater choice, improving educational outcomes, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent effectively.
6. Planned Parenthood Endorsement - abortion advocacy organization −
7. Sierra Club Endorsement - environmental advocacy organization −
8. Gun Owners of America Endorsement - gun rights advocacy organization −