Don Benton
Don Benton is an American politician of the Republican Party. He is originally from Los Angeles, California[1] and has been a member of the Washington State Senate since 1996.[2] Benton unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.[3][4] After serving as the Chairman of the Washington State Republicans in 2000, he resigned eight months later amid several controversies.[5]
Political positions
Abortion
In a 2012 survey collected by the Life Political Action Committee of Southwest Washington, Benton indicated that he believes life begins at conception, the State has a compelling interest in protecting human life beginning at conception, abortion is never morally permissible, and medical professionals should be allowed to deny service based on their moral, ethical or religious beliefs. In the survey he also said, "To my knowledge, I am the only Senator to ever sponsor and successfully pass parental notification law in the state senate. It was killed in the House."[6]
Gay Marriage
Benton opposes gay marriage and civil unions, saying on the Senate floor that those laws affect "less than a half of one percent of the population."[7]
Government Regulation
Senator Benton has voted against two bills regulating mortgage brokers that have since been signed into law. The first requires that mortgage brokers act within the best interests of borrowers[8]and the second requires mortgage brokers to disclose the difference between the interest rates they charge borrowers and the interest rates borrowers actually qualify for.[9]
Taxes
The Senator supports reducing taxes on businesses[10] but voted against lowering taxes for working families[11] and against allowing homeowners to defer property taxes.[12] Benton says he is in alignment with members of the Tea Party movement.[13]
References
- ^ The Benton Group
- ^ Don Benton Bio
- ^ Columbian: Don Benton drops out of U.S. Senate race, endorses Rossi
- ^ CNN: GOP loses Washingtons 3rd district to Democrat Baird
- ^ Seattle Times: Vance replaces Benton as GOP chief
- ^ LifePAC: Benton answers survey
- ^ Stranger: Benton on Marriage and Domestic Partnerships
- ^ Good Faith Duties of Mortgage Brokers vote
- ^ Yield Spread Premium Disclosure vote
- ^ Don Benton on the Issues
- ^ Senate votes on Working Family Tax Exemption
- ^ Property Tax Deferral vote
- ^ Seattle Times: Don Benton, veteran state senator, seeks to take on Patty Murray in November
  | This article about a politician from the state of Washington is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |