Silvey, Jeff

Meet the Candidate

District:

Political Affiliation:

Republican

Phone:

602-834-8386

Age:

Occupation:

Retired (May 2022)

Education:

B.S. Accountancy, Minor Computer Science

Biographical Info:

In a lot of ways, I’m just a regular Joe, a typical American guy—that was lucky enough to marry the most perfect woman—Ann.

Our family was rich, but financially poor. The first house that I remember was a small rental, on a gravel road, with no in-door plumbing, and only cold water to the kitchen sink. Regardless of our financial status, I was blessed with good parents, family and a community to guide me. Through education and hard-work—I earned a Bachelors (B.S.) of Accountancy with a minor in computer science.

Early in my professional experience, I started work in a CPA Accounting firm, then moved into software development, followed by large companies in the electric/water utility industry, mining, banking, Maricopa County government, and pharmaceutical distribution. Mid-way through my career I worked as an independent consultant for: the Federal Government (Freddie Mac), CEG/Goldman Sachs, Honeywell, Mexico-American Interstate Transmission System, insurance, and others. I concluded my working career (May 2022) in the Capital Market group of Wells Fargo.

While I (usually) enjoyed my work—my real interests are U.S. & world politics, macroeconomics, finance, etc. I’m generally curious, comfortable with details, and always like to—know how things work.

As for the normal everyday life stuff—I do my own lawn, trees, house maintenance and most repairs on my old Land Cruisers. My one chemical dependency is caffeine, in the form of coffee.

I consider myself blessed to have faith, a loving wife, friends, and to be a citizen of the United States of America!

Survey

Response Legend

SSupports
OOpposes
*Comment
−Declined to respond
†Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question	Response	Comments/Notes
1. Expanding background checks to include guns purchased from private individuals.	O*	IF more background checks would solve gun crime in American, I would be in favor of it—but as we know, cities and states with the most restrictive gun control laws also have the highest incidents of gun crimes. The left is always in favor of more regulation and governmental involvement—even when the proposals do not work.
2. Adding “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or “gender expression” to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in nondiscrimination law.	O*	To obtain a protected class status, it should be based on who you are, not what you can chose. In other words, if tomorrow an individual made a personal decision to “identify” as a different gender— you should not have the same protected class status as race, sex, age, etc. I also do not believe religion should be included, because it’s something you chose (except Calvinist). Note: Even though the religion of Christianity is covered by the law, it is not afforded the same level of active protection as the other classes.
3. Prohibiting abortion except when it is necessary to prevent the death of the mother.	S*	According to biologists, a new life begins at conception—though the combining of a man and woman’s individual DNA to create a new and distinct life. The pro-abortion side’s argues that since this it cannot “live on its own”—the decision can be made to end its life. From my perspective, this argument is merely about geography. In this country many are in situations where they cannot “live on their own” – in intensive care situations due to a myriad of reasons. Is it the location—a womb or a hospital, that determines the morality of saving or ending life? I stand with life—regardless of the geography.
4. Allowing biological males that identify as transgender to play on female sports teams.	O*	A man which identifies as a woman--is still biologically a man. When archaeologist dig up 1,000 year old bones, they can tell whether this person was a man or a woman—because even then, men and women are different. So until a man can actually change their physical structure, down to the bones, they are still a man. In the physical realm, men have distinct advantages over women. It is not fair that woman compete with biological men. I stand in defense of woman.
5. Providing state funding to abortion entities that perform or refer for abortion.	O*	Abortion is an elective procedure. Does the state provide funding for other elective procedures? Many citizens have needs that are not elective. If the state provides funding for this elective procedure, why not for more pressing non-elective procedures?
6. Allowing all parents to use tax credits, vouchers, or education savings accounts to enable their children to attend any public, charter, private, homeschool, or online academy.	S*	Parents should always have the highest rights, over government, educators, etc., when it comes to their children. The state collects taxes for the benefit of funding education of children. The child’s parents should have the highest rights in assessing and determining the educational needs of their children. Therefore, the parents should have the rights to direct educational funding which best meets the needs of their individual child.
7. Legalizing physician-assisted suicide.	O*	The world is replete with decisions that end life. We should not facilitate another—as it might lead to a habit. I stand for life.
8. Allowing parents to seek professional counseling for their minor child with same-sex attraction or gender identity issues.	S*	IF I understand the question -- Parents should always have the highest rights when it comes to their children. With the exception of actual abuse, no governmental agency or other person should be able to supersede parental rights.
9. Protecting individuals and businesses from being required to provide services or use their artistic expression in a manner that violates their moral or religious beliefs.	S*	Freedom of religion means freedom to practice one’s religion. Government cannot be allowed to compel individuals to violate their religious beliefs (although it already does).
10. Keeping the flat income tax rate in Arizona’s state tax code.	S*	Flat tax is the most equitable. Having a flat tax removes a point of division between rich and poor.
11. Requiring any government entity, including schools, to inform parents about their child’s physical, emotional, or mental health.	S*	Parents should always have the highest rights when it comes to their children. With the exception of actual abuse, no governmental agency or other person should be able to supersede parental rights.
12. Establishing electric retail competition to eliminate the current monopoly system for electric utilities.	O*	The electric industry is the one that should remain as a monopoly—in a regulated environment. While it may sound nice to have a free market, in the electric industry it does not work. For example, in California, the CAISO often pays over 10x more for electric than regulated states (e.g., Arizona). The reason is simple. Deregulation removes the generation from the utilities (e.g., SRP, APS) and they are sold to private investors. These private investors have an objective to maximize profits—which means they are motivated to obtain the highest price possible for the electricity – like Enron did to California, where they often sold power at near $1,000 per megawatt when the normal rate was $35-$50. In this case, Enron was gaming the CAISO. Deregulation will result in higher electricity prices to the consumer.