NONPARTISAN CANDIDATE GUIDE: 2018 ARIZONA GOVERNOR’S RACE

Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Ducey – Mostly Ban. Has signed restrictions requiring doctors to ask if abortion is related to rape, incest, or domestic violence; telling patients that effect of abortion pills can be undone; & banning use of Obamacare exchanges for abortion insurance.

Garcia – Legal. “As governor, I’ll veto anti-abortion bills & work to overturn laws that erode any rights to make our own personal health care decisions.”

Campaign Finance Reform: Should there be restrictions or disclosure requirements on large and anonymous political donations?

Ducey – No. Prohibited AZ cities from requiring organizations sponsoring campaign ads to reveal major financial backers. Considers it a First Amendment issue.

Garcia – Criticizes money in politics but specific position unclear. Has pledged not to take money from lobbyists or corporate PACS & returned $7,000 to donors identified as lobbyists.

Climate Change: Is climate change a serious threat, and should government respond to that threat?  Stand on Proposition 127, which requires utilities to produce 50% of energy from renewables by 2030.

Ducey – Unclear. In 2015 said skeptical that it’s human caused. More recently said he’s convinced that it is.  Undercut Prop 127 by signing bill that minimizes fines on utilities for not complying if it passes.

Garcia – Yes. Real & urgent threat. Politicians doing nothing are putting all Arizonans at risk, while ignoring “an enormous economic opportunity to make Arizona the nation’s leader in solar energy.”

Contraception: Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it based on religious beliefs?

Ducey – Yes. After US Supreme Court allowed some corporations to deny contraceptives, called it “a win for religious freedom & yet another blow to #Obamacare.”

Garcia – Unclear, but strong supporter of access to birth control.

Courts: Support Brett Kavanaugh nomination? (before recent allegations).

Ducey – Yes. Co-authored a letter calling for the Senate to confirm “expeditiously.” 

Garcia – No. If confirmed, women’s rights will never have been “more at risk.”

Education: Increase funding for K-12 education? 

Ducey – Mixed. Increased funding distributions from state land trust through Prop 123, though this erodes long-term reserves.   Opposed initiative funding education by taxing individuals earning over $250,000 a year.

Garcia – Yes. Would support extra funding by expanding Proposition 301 sales tax initiative, which now provides $500 million a year to K-12. Also close corporate tax loopholes & raise taxes on top 1%.

Education: Provide vouchers so parents can send their children to private schools with public money?

Ducey – Yes. Signed school voucher expansion bill that extended eligibility to all 1.1 million state schoolchildren.

Garcia – No. Opposes school vouchers as “harmful, unaccountable & discriminatory.“

Education: Support recent Arizona teacher’s strike?

Ducey – Initially wouldn’t meet with strike leaders. Eventually came to a settlement.

Garcia – Yes. “Teachers are standing up & saying they’ve had enough! I stand proudly with our educators.”

Education: Increase state funding for higher education?

Ducey – Mixed. Cut college funding by $99 million in 2015.  Increased by $32 million in 2016-2017, including $5 million for Koch Brothers-founded “economic freedom schools.”  Ended all state aid to Maricopa & Pima County community college systems.

Garcia – Yes. Make college tuition-free for in-state students who attend local community colleges or trade schools. Then develop a plan to make 4-year schools free.

Gay rights: Support LGBTQ rights?

Ducey – Somewhat. Personally supports “traditional marriage” but supports letting married same-sex couples adopt & raise foster children.

Garcia – Yes.  Will prohibit state employees & state contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation.

Gun Control: Support more gun control legislation including restrictions on semi-automatic weapons?

Ducey – Somewhat.  Revoke firearm permits of those convicted of violent offenses. Has not sought to restrict assault weapons.

Garcia – Yes. Supports universal background checks, preventing domestic abusers & other predators from gaining access & banning assault weapons.

Healthcare: Support or Repeal ACA, aka Obamacare? Accept ACA’s Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants? 

Ducey – Repeal. “Obamacare has been a disaster for Arizona & I want it repealed & replaced.” Medicaid should focus narrowly on the “destitute & the disabled” & not become “a middle-class entitlement.”

Garcia – Support ACA. Keep coverage for pre-existing conditions.  Expand on Arizona’s cost-efficient & successful Medicaid programs & let healthier & younger Arizonans buy-in. Ultimately move toward Medicare for All.

Healthcare: Allow Planned Parenthood to receive public funds for non-abortion health services?

Ducey – No. Wanted to exclude Planned Parenthood from federal family-planning grant.

Garcia – Yes. Important for comprehensive health education, access to family planning & women’s health services.

Immigration: Support legal status for “DACA” recipients or “Dreamers,” who grew up in the US after being brought here illegally as children?

Ducey – No. His administration refused to grant drivers licenses to DACA recipients, but later was overruled by a federal judge.

Garcia – Yes. Treat “like any other young Arizonans.” Ensure “basic supports like in-state tuition or a driver’s license are not obstacles to becoming the future business & civic leaders.”

Marijuana: Legalize or decriminalize legalize marijuana? 

Ducey – No. Opposes recreational legalization. Campaigned heavily to defeat a ballot measure supporting adult use.

Garcia – Expand medical marijuana & decriminalize marijuana use & possession.

Minimum Wage: Raise the minimum wage?

Ducey – No. Threatened loss of revenue sharing to cities increasing local minimum: “Will… bring California-style chaos.”

Garcia – Spoke at rally to protect recently passed $10.50/hr law.

Net Neutrality: Support requiring internet providers to provide equal access to all users?

Ducey – No statement found.

Garcia – Yes. “Repeal of net neutrality jeopardizes economic growth… Will push state-level net neutrality law.“

Renewable Energy: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Ducey – No. Allowed utilities to avoid major penalties for not producing renewable energy under Prop 127.

Garcia – Yes. Supports Prop 127 to require 50% of energy from renewable sources by 2030.

Taxes: Support proposed initiative to fund education through increasing taxes on the wealthy?

Ducey – No. Opposed initiative. “I don’t support tax increase. Government should live within its means.”

Garcia – Yes. Arizona has “one of the most regressive systems” in the nation. Proposed initiative would help.

Voting Rights: Support voting rules that prioritize preventing the possibility of fraud, even if they limit access?

Ducey – Yes. Signed a bill making it a felony to turn in another voter’s ballot — even with the person’s permission.

Garcia – No. Supports Automatic Voter Registration to ensure all eligible Arizonans can cast their vote.