Deedra Abboud in 2018 AZ Senate race


On Abortion: Unrestricted rights within Roe vs. Wade standards

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right"?

A: Strongly Support within Roe vs. Wade standards

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Budget & Economy: Stimulus better than market-led recovery

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stimulus better than market-led recovery"?

A: Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Civil Rights: Strongly supports same-sex marriage

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?

A: Strongly Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Crime: Stricter punishment doesn't reduce crime

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?

A: Oppose.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Drugs: Marijuana isn't a gateway drug

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Marijuana is a gateway drug"?

A: Oppose

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Education: Opposes vouchers for school choice

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Vouchers for school choice"?

A: Strongly Oppose

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Energy & Oil: Prioritize green energy

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Prioritize green energy"?

A: Strongly Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Environment: EPA protections needed for holding polluters accountable

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Fight EPA regulatory over-reach"?

A: Support for unnecessary regulations but EPA protections are necessary because companies who pollute the environment must be held accountable.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Foreign Policy: Spread our values of democracy, freedom, & personal liberty

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support American Exceptionalism"?

A: Support with an emphasis on keeping our values of democracy, freedom, and personal liberty available for all.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Free Trade: Support & expand free trade

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Support & expand free trade"?

A: Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Government Reform: Make voter registration easier

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Make voter registration easier"?

A: Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Gun Control: Second Amendment rights have limits

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Absolute right to gun ownership"?

A: Oppose. All Constitutional rights have limits. It is possible to support the Second Amendment and also expect gun owners to be responsible as well as enact restrictions on those who cannot operate weapons responsibly.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Health Care: Fix ACA and get every American covered

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Expand ObamaCare"?

A: Strongly Support. We need to fix the ACA and move toward getting every American covered with healthcare.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Homeland Security: Opposes expanding the military

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Expand the military"?

A: Oppose

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Immigration: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?

A: Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Jobs: Affirmative action in government, but not private companies

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Legally require hiring more women/minorities"?

A: Oppose. Legally requiring private companies to hire anyone would be government overreach and against freedom; however, the government could legally make such a requirement for government jobs. Quotas create more problems though--unqualified being hired or just the perception of it.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Principles & Values: Keep God out of government

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Keep God in the public sphere"?

A: Strongly Oppose

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Social Security: Don't privatize Social Security

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Privatize Social Security"?

A: Strongly Oppose

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Tax Reform: Support higher taxes on the wealthy

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Higher taxes on the wealthy"?

A: Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On War & Peace: Diplomacy should always be first

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Avoid foreign entanglements"?

A: Support. Diplomacy should always be first, even military leaders agree.

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arizona Senate candidate Mar 5, 2018

On Abortion: Keep government out of reproductive decisions

Across the country, we are seeing attacks on women's sexual freedom, from the defunding of programs allowing women to receive vital health care services and information, even when they cannot afford them, to employers being given the right to determine the reproductive choices available to their employees. Highly personal decisions should be made by individuals with a minimum of interference from the government and should never be based on government religious interpretation.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Civil Rights: All government levels should protect human rights

Matters that involve human rights and discrimination should never be left to private companies whose main focus, generally, is gaining profit for themselves and their shareholders. Governments on all levels have a responsibility to uphold laws and protections of all people they serve. That responsibility has been mandated by public investments in the form of taxes that pay the salaries and expenses for all levels of government bodies and officials.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Corporations: Corporations great on taking, not giving back

Private enterprise is a beneficiary of public investments. Through our investments, the government pays for the infrastructure on which private industry and everything else is built. Roads, bridges, public education, national banks, the patent office, the judicial system, interstate commerce, and more are financed by taxpayers. Yet the majority of corporations do not pay any taxes at all, much less 'their fair share,' and are often still beneficiaries of corporate tax breaks and bailouts.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Corporations: Keep banks out of stock market; no more gambling

During the last banking crisis, Arizona experienced the worst housing crisis in our history. Private enterprise is not designed to self-regulate for the betterment of society; it is designed to make money for its owners. The Banking industry is no different. It is time to re-enact the Glass Steagall Act or something very similar that keeps bankers out of the stock market and other forms of speculation/gambling that causes the taxpayer to have to pay when their bets fail.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Crime: Community policing will decrease crime & tensions

Law enforcement history in the United States has had its ups and downs but the one method that has consistently worked is community policing. Knowing the community municipalities serve helps decrease crime and de-escalate tensions. Adequate resources need to be provided for our police departments so that community policing can be reintroduced across the nation in order to avoid the situations we are hearing about all too often.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Drugs: Let states make their own cannabis decisions

Arizona, like many states, has passed voter referendums allowing for legal medical cannabis distribution. Some states have gone further to allow access to cannabis by the adult population at large. Citizens and states have clearly mandated the desire for cannabis to be an issue better left to the discretion of each state.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Education: Voucher programs are weakening public schools

Public investments must be used to support public schools. The voucher program is a deliberate attempt to dismantle public education. Those who already send their children to private schools will get a discount while the vouchers will not cover the tuition and costs for those who cannot afford private schools. Public money used to support religious institutions is a clear violation of Separation of Church and State. Privatization of our public education system is a threat to our very democracy.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Environment: Environment needs protection from corporations

The destruction of ecosystems, fires, explosions, air pollution, lung problems, toxic groundwater, and contaminated faucet water affects us all. Americans should not have to wonder if the food they are going to eat or the water they are going to drink, is going to poison them. Private enterprise is not designed to self-regulate for the betterment of society; it is designed to make money for its owners. Protecting the environment is more important now more than ever.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Foreign Policy: Two-state solution for Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Few issues are more polarizing than the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and fewer people than ever are willing to step away from their respective "sides" long enough to work toward a peaceful solution. I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous love and cooperation between the Jewish and Muslim communities here in Arizona. I firmly believe Israeli and Palestinian leaders can negotiate in good faith to achieve a 2-state solution. The 2-state solution has been American policy for 4 administrations.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Gun Control: Pro-2nd Amendment with education and restrictions

Deedra supports the Second Amendment with an emphasis on education and personal responsibility. All Constitutional Rights have limits. It is certainly proper to expect gun owners to know how to responsibly operate weapons. It is equally proper to enact restrictions which keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of people who cannot responsibly operate them.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Health Care: Healthcare for all is obtainable goal

Eventually insurance, pharmaceutical, and medical industries will have to be managed in order to bring costs under control. The Pew Research Center found that 60% of Americans believe the federal government is responsible for ensuring health care coverage. She believes in listening to the will of the people and working towards short and long term solutions, such as: Lower premium costs, improve accessibility, safeguard care for preexisting conditions and expand Medicaid and protect Medicare.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Homeland Security: Veterans are ignored, forgotten, and deserve more

Our Veterans deserve to be honored by more than platitudes. After volunteering to serve in our military, they should have better resources when they return home. It is a fallacy that all our Veterans are 100% covered by the VA, thousands also depend on Medicaid. We can do better in making sure they are all covered by healthcare and given the help they need to go back to work in the civilian world. Those resources must include support for the emotional and physical tolls they have experienced.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Immigration: Rejects governments heartless immigration tactics

Deedra is committed to continue her work to defend attacks from the federal government to lock up, break up and ban immigrant families. She strongly believes that Arizona's values of compassion and justice can lead the country to commonsense immigration reform. A legal means must be provided to recognize people brought to this country as children are not criminals and see themselves as Americans. We should develop a pathway to legal status, at a minimum for those without criminal convictions.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Jobs: Supports measures to increase federal minimum wage

Arizona families pride themselves in being hard workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. But when the scales are tipped for the most wealthiest, our economy suffers. The federal government is failing to move forward with policies that can improve conditions for working families. She strongly supports measures to increase the federal minimum wage, ensure equal pay and paid sick days, expand paid family and medical leave, support small businesses, and create jobs.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Social Security: Stop Congress from borrowing from Social Security

Social Security was a promise made by the US government to every citizen of this country many years ago. People have not only depended on that promise for several generations, but paid their hard-earned money to the government for safekeeping so that promise could be kept. Not keeping the promise is bad enough, but breaking the promise because Congress has continuously borrowed from the fund is a slap in the face to every working person.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Technology: Defends equal access from public to websites

Allowing internet providers to block websites, or 'prioritize' companies that pay for 'fast lanes,' would not only censor the public's access to information, but would also be detrimental to small businesses, non-profits, and non- income producing websites. Websites should have equal access from the public and no businesses should determine the lens through which we experience the web.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Dec 12, 2017

On Abortion: Woman's right to choose including funding

Across the country, we are seeing attacks on women's sexual freedom, from the defunding of programs allowing women to receive vital health care services and information, even when they cannot afford them, to employers being given the right to determine the reproductive choices available to their employees.

Highly personal decisions should be made by individuals with a minimum of interference from the government and should never be based on government religious interpretation.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

On Budget & Economy: Economy should work for everyone

Arizona families pride themselves in being hard workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. But when the scales are tipped for the most wealthiest, our economy suffers. The federal government is failing to move forward with policies that can improve conditions for working families and bring a diversity of jobs to Arizona.

Deedra Abboud wants to ensure that Arizona families are provided with the chance to succeed. She strongly supports measures to increase the federal minimum wage, ensure equal pay and paid sick days, expand paid family and medical leave, support small businesses, and create jobs.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

On Civil Rights: Protect LGBTQ community to ensure equality

The LGBTQ community and their allies have fought long and hard for equality. Marriage equality is the law of the land but many discrimination laws stop short of actual protection. We are also seeing, once again, more religiously based rhetoric and laws targeting the LGBTQ community across the country.

Highly personal decisions should be made by individuals with a minimum of interference from the government and our elected leaders should never base their representation on religious interpretation.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

On Drugs: Leave legalization to the voter

Arizona, like many states, has passed voter referendums allowing for legal medical cannabis distribution. Some states have gone further to allow access to cannabis by the adult population at large.

Citizens and states have clearly mandated the desire for cannabis to be an issue better left to the discretion of each state.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

On Education: Vouchers dismantle public schools for private schools

The voucher program is a deliberate attempt to dismantle public education. Those who already send their children to private schools will get a discount while the vouchers will not cover the tuition and costs for those who cannot afford private schools. Public schools will lose what little funding has not already been robbed by state legislatures and private schools, which are primarily religious schools, will receive public money. Public money used to support religious institutions is a clear violation of Separation of Church and State.

Privatization of our public education system is a threat to our very democracy. Neither our children nor their education is a commodity that can be traded on the open market or a boon for corporations more interested in profits than our children's future.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

On Education: Strong public schools lead to healthy future

Deedra believes we must work diligently to provide Arizona parents and their children championed schools that provide teachers the tools and resources they need to equip children for their future.

Public education is necessary for a democracy and a vibrant economy. You can be free only if you live in a free society, and no society can be free without free thinking people and freedom of access to knowledge. The more critical knowledge is monopolized by privatized higher education, the more expensive it becomes. In a democracy, knowledge needs to be democratized, and the democratization of knowledge can only come through free public education.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

On Environment: Government protection needed to preserve nature

The destruction of ecosystems, fires, explosions, air pollution, lung problems, toxic groundwater, and contaminated faucet water affects us all. Americans should not have to wonder if the food they are going to eat or the water they are going to drink, is going to poison them.

Private enterprise is not designed to self-regulate for the betterment of society; it is designed to make money for its owners. Protecting the environment is more important now more than ever.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

On Gun Control: Favors responsible, educated gun owners

Deedra supports the Second Amendment with an emphasis on education and personal responsibility. All Constitutional Rights have limits. It is certainly proper to expect gun owners to know how to responsibly operate weapons. It is equally proper to enact restrictions which keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of people who cannot responsibly operate them.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

On Immigration: Protect immigrants through commonsense government reform

Our state has been on the front lines of the fight to protect American immigrant families. With years of working in civil rights defense, Deedra is committed to continue her work to defend attacks from the federal government to lock up, break up and ban immigrant families. She strongly believes that Arizona's values of compassion and justice can lead the country to commonsense immigration reform.

Arizona's history is rich with contributions from generations of immigrants who have long made Arizona their home. A legal means must be provided to recognize people brought to this country as children are not criminals and see themselves as Americans. We should develop a pathway to legal status, at a minimum for those without criminal convictions, so people living in our state are no longer hiding in the shadows.

Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

On Social Security: Hands off Social Security

Social Security was a promise made by the US government to every citizen of this country many years ago. People have not only depended on that promise for several generations, but paid their hard-earned money to the government for safekeeping so that promise could be kept. Not keeping the promise is bad enough, but breaking the promise because Congress has continuously borrowed from the fund is a slap in the face to every working person.
Source: 2018 Arizona Senate campaign website Deedra2018.com Jul 17, 2017

The above quotations are from 2018 Arizona Senate race: debates and news coverage.
Click here for other excerpts from 2018 Arizona Senate race: debates and news coverage.
Click here for other excerpts by Deedra Abboud.
Click here for a profile of Deedra Abboud.
Deedra Abboud on other issues:
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Jobs
Principles
Social Security
Tax Reform
Technology
War/Peace
Welfare
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Page last updated: Nov 30, 2021