Card image cap

Kirsten Engel's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Key

Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Kirsten Engel did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2022 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2022.

  • "Proud to join everyone in #Tucson this morning for the #WomensMarch! Amazing energy and great to see people of all generations coming out in support of Roe v. Wade and our reproductive rights. #BansOffOurBodies" (twitter.com)
  • "Reproductive healthcare and a person’s right to choose should not be up for debate. The attacks on abortion access and reproductive healthcare in Arizona and across our country are appalling and a blatant attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade. As a state legislator, I have always fought to protect reproductive rights, and I will continue to do so in Congress." (www.engelforarizona.com)
  • "Today, on the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, our constitutional right to choose an abortion is being dismantled. Abortion is health care. Everyone should have the freedom and power to make their own decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures." (twitter.com)
  • "We need long-discussed solutions to reduce the price of prescription drugs, like allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and cap the amount everyday Americans must pay for a plan on the health insurance marketplace." (www.engelforarizona.com)
  • "Earned benefits like Social Security and Medicare are crucial to the American way of life. Not only do they need to be protected, they should be strengthened for future generations. Special interest groups and wealthy corporations continue to try and chip away at these bedrock programs. As your representative in Congress, I will fight them every step of the way to guarantee the future of these programs." (www.engelforarizona.com)
  • "Also a sweeping ethics reform bill, the #ForThePeopleAct adds new checks on the power and influence of lobbyists, depoliticizes the Federal Elections Commission, and requires presidential candidates to disclose ten years worth of personal income tax returns." (twitter.com)
  • "The #ForThePeopleAct protects our right to vote, plain and simple. Not only that, it would help stop gerrymandering, increase voting access, and reform campaign finance. These are improvements our country urgently needs and would protect our democracy." (twitter.com)
  • "We are asking the Governor for a special session to act police reforms that work: de-escalation training, body cameras, a state disciplinary database, requiring external investigations for officer-involved shootings and no qualified immunity. Let's act now." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Such exciting news! As an EV car owner I know how badly we need EV charging stations in AZ! Now, as a result of the Infrastructure bill passed by the Democrats, we're finally going to get them! This will help reduce climate change and save water." (twitter.com)
  • "Great to see this funding from the infrastructure bill coming to Arizona for critical water infrastructure for our rural and tribal communities! This will help improve water quality and accessibility, and play a key role in protecting this crucial resource." (twitter.com)
  • "Investing in infrastructure development – both physical and social – will help Arizona realize its full potential. Environmentally sustainable physical infrastructure -- the bricks, mortar, and digital – will help us expand our economy and safeguard our natural resources. This includes rural broadband and improvements in commerce and transportation – from roads, to our ports of entry along the border. To power a sustainable 21st century economy and enable more people to be part of rebuilding our economy, we also need upgraded social infrastructure -- such as job training, childcare supports, and college and career-readiness programs." (www.engelforarizona.com)
  • "$4 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act and over $8 billion from the Infrastructure Act will help us address drought in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. But we need to make sure that turns into immediate, equitable action that will protect every Arizonan." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Too many seniors can't afford the drugs for cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and other serious conditions. The Inflation Reduction Act will provide much needed relief to Medicare recipients, including capping insulin at $35/mo.!" (twitter.com)
  • "$4 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act and over $8 billion from the Infrastructure Act will help us address drought in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. But we need to make sure that turns into immediate, equitable action that will protect every Arizonan." (twitter.com)
  • "Congrats to everyone who worked to help pass the Inflation Reduction Act! This bill will provide relief for working families now and will benefit Arizonans for years to come." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "We must fight against Republican efforts to strip us of our voting rights, a sacred aspect of our democracy!" (twitter.com)
  • "The extremist Republican Party in Arizona is putting our democracy at risk. Our government works best when we make room for all voices — not when we traffic in conspiracy theories and autocracy. That's why I'll always stand up for our voting rights." (twitter.com)
  • "Simply put, H.R.1 is the voting rights, election security, campaign finance, and ethics reform package we so desperately need. I urge Congress to pass the #ForThePeopleAct without delay!" (twitter.com)
  • "Voting rights are under attack across America and the need to pass H.R. 1, the #ForThePeopleAct , has never been greater. Among other things, H.R. 1 will make it easier for citizens to vote by mail, and will allow automatic, online, and same-day voter registration." (twitter.com)
  • "We can adopt clean car standards and pass a green stimulus package to help transition to renewable energy. We can return to a cleaner economy. @AZHouseDems" (twitter.com)
  • "With our countless days of sunshine, Arizona should be the solar capital of the world. Solar energy development is increasingly a source of good-paying jobs and could play an even larger role in our post-pandemic economic recovery." (www.engelforarizona.com)
  • "Such exciting news! As an EV car owner I know how badly we need EV charging stations in AZ! Now, as a result of the Infrastructure bill passed by the Democrats, we're finally going to get them! This will help reduce climate change and save water." (twitter.com)
  • "I'm proud to take the #NoFossilFuelMoney pledge. It's time that we protect the health of our families, community, and democracy by taking bold action on climate and investing in clean and renewable energy. Our future depends on it. @NoFossilMoney" (twitter.com)
  • "Proud to have the support of the founder of a local environmental company working to find sustainable solutions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight the climate crisis!" (twitter.com)
  • "Arizona and the American West are facing a reckoning. We must take action to better conserve the water we have, use it more efficiently, and make serious efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions responsible for the climate change driving these shortages." (twitter.com)
  • "Estimates suggest methane emissions are responsible for nearly 30% of global warming. These new regulations are a huge step towards significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling the climate crisis." (twitter.com)
  • "We must put a STOP to racist hate crimes fueled by tolerance of white supremacists and a failure to take long-needed actions to end gun violence. The Buffalo mass shooting tragedy is an act of domestic terrorism." (twitter.com)
  • "Steve Kerr nails it! Ninety % of Americans want universal background checks on gun purchases! Our demands are being held hostage by 50 Republican senators too chicken to stand up to the gun lobby. #momsdemandaction #giffords #everytown #GunSense" (twitter.com)
  • "Today, on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, I #WearOrange for my daughter, for all of our children, and for all of the lives lost to senseless gun violence. This is an epidemic in our country and we must pass common sense reforms to end this violence." (twitter.com)
  • "The ACA has enabled millions to have affordable healthcare. It's time to stop attacking this law, and instead support and strengthen it! Today's decision is a win for all Americans." (twitter.com)
  • "Thank you Pima County for taking the lead on this issue and investing in our workers and communities with fully paid parental leave. #PaidLeave needs to be a priority at the federal level, as well, and this is an issue I promise to fight for in Congress." (twitter.com)
  • "We absolutely need to elect more moms to Congress and have a seat at the table. Moms who will advocate for affordable childcare & healthcare, paid family leave, and reproductive rights. Moms know how to get it done!" (twitter.com)
  • "Too many seniors can't afford the drugs for cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and other serious conditions. The Inflation Reduction Act will provide much needed relief to Medicare recipients, including capping insulin at $35/mo.!" (twitter.com)
  • "This bill will lower prescription drug costs, provide relief for working families, and make a massive, very-needed investment in climate action. It's exactly what we need, and what I will keep making happen for AZ families in Congress." (twitter.com)
  • "I understand the frustration. The federal govt has failed us repeatedly on immigration. But why is the first reaction always militarizing the border? Why not send FEMA, or the Red Cross? We need to fix this broken system rather than using it as a political weapon." (twitter.com)
  • "On this #CesarChavezDay let's pledge to continue his legacy of fighting for workers and basic human rights by pledging to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform, including a pathway to citizenship for workers and protection for DREAMers." (twitter.com)
  • "I understand the frustration. The federal govt has failed us repeatedly on immigration. But why is the first reaction always militarizing the border? Why not send FEMA, or the Red Cross? We need to fix this broken system rather than using it as a political weapon." (twitter.com)
  • "On this #CesarChavezDay let's pledge to continue his legacy of fighting for workers and basic human rights by pledging to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform, including a pathway to citizenship for workers and protection for DREAMers." (twitter.com)
  • "Yesterday’s #DACA ruling is a cruel blow. Our DREAMers deserve a pathway to citizenship. I’m glad the Biden administration plans to appeal this ruling and protect #DACA, but it is past time for Congress to act and pass comprehensive immigration reform." (twitter.com)
  • "I understand the frustration. The federal govt has failed us repeatedly on immigration. But why is the first reaction always militarizing the border? Why not send FEMA, or the Red Cross? We need to fix this broken system rather than using it as a political weapon." (twitter.com)
  • "Yesterday’s #DACA ruling is a cruel blow. Our DREAMers deserve a pathway to citizenship. I’m glad the Biden administration plans to appeal this ruling and protect #DACA, but it is past time for Congress to act and pass comprehensive immigration reform." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "With this radical tax cut, the GOP will leave devastation in their wake. This tax cut is bad for Arizonans, especially rural Arizonans." (twitter.com)
  • "This #AZBudget is nothing but a massive tax cut for the most wealthy, at the expense of everyday Arizonans. Rather than invest in K-12 education and other important issues in our state, we’re putting ourselves at risk of a future budget crisis." (twitter.com)
  • "Way to go Governor! The last thing we need right now are more tax cuts. We need to responsibly use our revenues to fund our schools and roads." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
Pro-choice a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
b) Should abortions be illegal after the first trimester of pregnancy?
c) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
d) Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
e) Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?
f) Do you support requiring parental consent before an abortion is performed on a minor?
g) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for abortion procedures?
h) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
As an attorney, I am appalled that Arizona enacts laws restricting women?s reproductive health options that are unconstitutional or contain misleading or outdated information. These laws are harmful to women and waste hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money in legal defense costs. As a member of the Arizona legislature I will fight against passage of any reproductive health law not based upon sound science or which fails to respect a women?s right to make her own health decisions with the advice of her own family, faith and doctor.

1) Budget Stabilization:Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Arizona's budget.2) State Spending:Indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.3) State Taxes:Indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.

Yes a) Tapping into Arizona's "rainy day" fund
No b) Decreasing funding for public universities
c) Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions
d) Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees
No e) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients
Greatly Increase a) Education (higher)
Greatly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Greatly Increase c) Environment
Slightly Increase d) Health care
Maintain Status e) Law enforcement/corrections
Slightly Increase f) Transportation/infrastructure
g) Welfare
h) Other or expanded categories:
a) Alcohol taxes
b) Cigarette taxes
Slightly Increase c) Corporate taxes
d) Small business taxes
e) Gas/Oil taxes
f) Property taxes
g) Sales taxes
h) Income taxes (low-income families)
i) Income taxes (mid-income families)
j) Income taxes (high-income families)
k) Do you support applying sales taxes to all online purchases?
My budget priorities are more funding for public education, ensuring adequate funding for Arizona?s environmental and water agencies, and prioritizing expenditures to protect our most vulnerable citizens, including children and seniors. I would start by ending Governor Ducey?s ill-advised tax cuts for his political backers and return those funds to the people of Arizona to whom it belongs. I will work toward ending our give-aways to the private prison industry and shifting funding to treatment and diversion of non-violent offenders. Studies have shown that such programs are both more effective and cost-efficient, saving Arizona taxpayers money.
I will work to repeal the Governor's ill-conceived tax cuts and use that money for a dedicated funding source for public education which will drive Arizona's future economy.

a) Do you support limits on the following types of contributions for state candidates?

Yes 1) Individual
Yes 2) Political Action Committee
Yes 3) Corporate
Yes 4) Political Party
Yes b) Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?
Yes c) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes d) Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
No e) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
Arizona elections need to belong to our voters, not to whomever has the largest checkbook. When elected, I will support commonsense efforts to curtail dark money in our elections and bring big money donors out of the shadows.
a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
Yes c) Do you support legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
d) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
e) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
f) Do you support delaying the seizure of assets by law enforcement officials until after a conviction?
Yes, I believe recreational marijuana should be legalized as long as there are adequate safeguards to protect our children and those most vulnerable to addition to our society. By legalizing and regulating recreational use of marijuana, our state will take important steps towards reducing the burden upon our criminal justice system.
Yes a) Do you support government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No b) Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
c) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
Yes d) Do you support increased state funding for job-training programs that re-train displaced workers?
Yes e) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
No f) Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
g) Do you support providing financial incentives to the private sector for the purpose of job creation?
h) Do you support providing direct financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?
Yes i) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage?
No j) Should employers be able to ask about applicants' criminal history before interviewing them?
k) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
Yes b) Do you support a merit pay system for teachers?
c) Is the tenure process for public school teachers producing effective teachers?
No d) Should parents be allowed to use vouchers to send their children to any school?
No e) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes f) Do you support the state government providing college students with financial aid?
g) Should illegal immigrants who graduate from Arizona high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
I believe it is important that teacher performance be assessed fairly using data that reflects the job being done by the teacher in his or her classroom. We need to compensate teacher's adequately. Compensation of Arizona teachers is significantly below the national average even taking into account the lower cost of living that exists in many Arizona cities. I believe it is important that teachers and other educational employees be represented by their local association when negotiating issues such as compensation and job duties.
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
b) Do you support state funding for the development of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)?
Yes c) Do you support state funding for improvements to Arizona's energy infrastructure?
Yes d) Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
Yes e) Do you support government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
f) Do you support increased regulations of the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
I have been a strong advocate for the environment, having devoted my career to being an environmental lawyer since graduating from law school. It is Arizona?s spectacular desert environment and the opportunity to train future environmental lawyers that attracted me to Arizona. Yet, our environment faces threats that will only become more pronounced in years to come as the ravages of climate change takes its toll. At the top of the list is protecting our water resources, a public health, environmental and economic imperative in a state like Arizona.
Yes a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
c) Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
Yes d) Should a license be required for gun possession?
No e) Should concealed-carry permit holders be allowed to carry their guns into public buildings?
We will never be able to prevent all gun violence, but we can take steps to staunch the flow of innocent blood. Common sense reforms like the President?s recently enacted universal background checks may help prevent one more horrific event. Law abiding Arizonans deserve the right to shop for groceries, to take their family to the movies, to gather to hear their representative without fear of becoming a headline on tonight?s news. We must find lawful, common sense solutions to gun violence and not let partisan rhetoric allow one more senseless death.
Yes a) Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?
Yes b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
c) Do you support interstate health insurance compacts?
Yes d) Do you support Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
e) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
f) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
Yes g) Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
Accessible healthcare is a key component to Arizonans succeeding When someone knows their healthcare needs are taken care of they can concentrate on other concerns. It is important to promote and expand these services to under-served populations.
Yes a) Do you support same-sex marriage?
Yes b) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Arizona's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes c) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Arizona's anti-discrimination laws?
d) Do you support legalizing physician-assisted suicide in Arizona?
e) Other or expanded principles:
I plan to focus on three main areas. Procuring funding at all levels of public education. Promoting a growing, green economy where Arizona is leading the way, and Protecting our environment. It�s easy to remember, Engel stands for: Education; Economy; Environment.

Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

arrow_upward