Andres R Valleza

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Andres Valleza completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Valleza's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-361719-2025-10-23\" id=\"heading-bio-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-361719-2025-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-361719-2025-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tHello my friends. If we haven't met before, I am Andres Valleza, Congressional Candidate for Washington’s 8th District. I’m here today not just as a public servant, but as someone who believes deeply in protecting what matters most.\r\nI was born and raised in small-town Washington. I’ve worked in our schools, in group homes with foster kids, in juvenile detention centers, and I’ve been on the front lines of chaos as a Parole Officer holding dangerous criminals accountable.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-361719-2025-10-23\" id=\"heading-key-message-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-361719-2025-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-361719-2025-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Strong Laws - \r\n<p>Bringing federal prosecution for gang and gun crimes on the adult and juvenile levels. \r\nBringing legislation to designate street gangs as terrorist organizations. \r\nRewriting Federal early release and pre-sentence confinement credit laws.\r\nPutting violent criminals behind bars—and keeping them there.\r\nEnding early releases of these violent criminals.\r\n</p>\nFully supporting our law enforcement and giving them the tools they need and deserve.</li><li>Strong Schools -\r\nRestoring core subject curriculum and parent consent in schools.\r\nBringing back Trades Schools funding and support. \r\nSupporting a locally ran school administration and parent choice.\r\nEnsuring a fair playing field and safe locker rooms for women and girls.</li><li>Strong Families -\r\nCementing recent tax breaks for seniors and the working class.\r\nBringing back Trades and Energy jobs.\r\nEliminating Capital-gains taxes for home sales. \r\nPromoting living wage and family wage jobs. \r\nSupporting second amendment rights. \r\nProtecting women and children.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-361719-2025-10-23\" id=\"heading1-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-361719-2025-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-361719-2025-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’m passionate about restoring law and order, strengthening families and education, and rebuilding trust in government through accountability. Public safety is the foundation of every strong community — we must support our officers, respect the rule of law, and deliver justice, not excuses. I’ll fight for education that empowers parents, respects teachers, and puts students first. Government must serve the people with fiscal discipline, transparency, and integrity — because when we secure our streets and educate our children, we build a future worth passing on.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-361719-2025-10-23\" id=\"heading2-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-361719-2025-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-361719-2025-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy first position working in public and community services was at an all teenage girls group home for children in the foster system with behavior issues. I was the only male staff, and first male staff to work there in many years. I was just about 30 years old and still a relatively new girl dad. I had a daughter and realized I would know nothing about how to raise a form, especially through her teen years. So I wanted to get some experience, and kinda jumped into the deep end with it. To say it was a challenge would be a laughable understatement, it was a challenging position for anyone, especially for me, especially with having minimal experience working with kids. <br/>\n<p>But the success I had there, after the first month or two... I started there right before Halloween and it was during the residents' winter break and those holidays where I was able to break some ice and break through some walls and begin to impart my influence and perspective. <br/>\n</p>\nI can still remember being asked, by one of the most challenging (behaviorally) residents, \"what would cause a dad to not love his kid.\" I remember answering that question, I remember reading every page of that kid's history, 2 big binders worth... But that was something I did for every kid I worked with. By the time I left that position to go work in the local schools, we had hired two more male staff. The impact was striking.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-361719-2025-10-23\" id=\"heading3-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-361719-2025-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-361719-2025-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNo. If having government experience were the key to solving the problems of the government, we wouldn't be in the mess we have been in. America doesn't need any more businesses men or doctors or lawyers in office... We need the ones that have been on the streets, working in the situations that most politicians can only read about, dealing with the consequences of these failed policies firsthand. We need representation that represents us, from a person who has lived and worked among us. <br/>\r\nI have lived, loved, worked, learned, sweated, served and protected Washington's 8th District with my own life. To me it's not just some spot on the map I moved to, it's where my memories were made, where my friends and family live, where my heart is. It's not a place, it's home.... And the people of the 8th District aren't just citizens or constituents, y'all are my family, the ones I've known my whole life.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-361719-2025-10-23\" id=\"heading4-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-361719-2025-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-361719-2025-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tA story I didn't just see and hear but was a part of was during the early stages of my campaign during the first summer at the King County Fair in Enumclaw. There was a large Asian family group that has been enjoying the day, and then there was the little girl, detached from her family and crying. The care that large family showed, in an instant, the way we were able to problem solve and organize to send for help. I was campaigning at the King County Republican party booth, but that didn't matter, it wasn't about politics, it wasn't about color, it was about community and caring. <br/>\r\nIn the end, the child's family was found, they were nearby, and we all shook hands and shared some smiles. To me that's the best, when we all come together as one, where reconnecting a child with their parents is the biggest worry of the day. That's the community I want to bring back.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-361719-2025-10-23\" id=\"heading5-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-361719-2025-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-361719-2025-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOf course — but here’s the thing: compromise must be a two-way street. We can compromise on budgets, but I can’t compromise on my values. I will never trade truth for a deal or my moral compass for political points.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-361719-2025-10-23\" id=\"heading6-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-361719-2025-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-361719-2025-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-361719-2025-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would like to see a shift back to in-person voting, to me that builds community. I still remember going to the polling place on election night with my dad when I was a little boy. It was at my elementary school, and I saw many other students there with their parents. It was peaceful and well attended. Those are good times and great memories.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nAndres Valleza completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Valleza's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Hello my friends. If we haven't met before, I am Andres Valleza, Congressional Candidate for Washington’s 8th District. I’m here today not just as a public servant, but as someone who believes deeply in protecting what matters most.\r\nI was born and raised in small-town Washington. I’ve worked in our schools, in group homes with foster kids, in juvenile detention centers, and I’ve been on the front lines of chaos as a Parole Officer holding dangerous criminals accountable. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Strong Laws - Bringing federal prosecution for gang and gun crimes on the adult and juvenile levels. \r\nBringing legislation to designate street gangs as terrorist organizations. \r\nRewriting Federal early release and pre-sentence confinement credit laws.\r\nPutting violent criminals behind bars—and keeping them there.\r\nEnding early releases of these violent criminals. Fully supporting our law enforcement and giving them the tools they need and deserve. Strong Schools -\r\nRestoring core subject curriculum and parent consent in schools.\r\nBringing back Trades Schools funding and support. \r\nSupporting a locally ran school administration and parent choice.\r\nEnsuring a fair playing field and safe locker rooms for women and girls. Strong Families -\r\nCementing recent tax breaks for seniors and the working class.\r\nBringing back Trades and Energy jobs.\r\nEliminating Capital-gains taxes for home sales. \r\nPromoting living wage and family wage jobs. \r\nSupporting second amendment rights. \r\nProtecting women and children. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I’m passionate about restoring law and order, strengthening families and education, and rebuilding trust in government through accountability. Public safety is the foundation of every strong community — we must support our officers, respect the rule of law, and deliver justice, not excuses. I’ll fight for education that empowers parents, respects teachers, and puts students first. Government must serve the people with fiscal discipline, transparency, and integrity — because when we secure our streets and educate our children, we build a future worth passing on. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My first position working in public and community services was at an all teenage girls group home for children in the foster system with behavior issues. I was the only male staff, and first male staff to work there in many years. I was just about 30 years old and still a relatively new girl dad. I had a daughter and realized I would know nothing about how to raise a form, especially through her teen years. So I wanted to get some experience, and kinda jumped into the deep end with it. To say it was a challenge would be a laughable understatement, it was a challenging position for anyone, especially for me, especially with having minimal experience working with kids. But the success I had there, after the first month or two... I started there right before Halloween and it was during the residents' winter break and those holidays where I was able to break some ice and break through some walls and begin to impart my influence and perspective. I can still remember being asked, by one of the most challenging (behaviorally) residents, \"what would cause a dad to not love his kid.\" I remember answering that question, I remember reading every page of that kid's history, 2 big binders worth... But that was something I did for every kid I worked with. By the time I left that position to go work in the local schools, we had hired two more male staff. The impact was striking. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? No. If having government experience were the key to solving the problems of the government, we wouldn't be in the mess we have been in. America doesn't need any more businesses men or doctors or lawyers in office... We need the ones that have been on the streets, working in the situations that most politicians can only read about, dealing with the consequences of these failed policies firsthand. We need representation that represents us, from a person who has lived and worked among us. I have lived, loved, worked, learned, sweated, served and protected Washington's 8th District with my own life. To me it's not just some spot on the map I moved to, it's where my memories were made, where my friends and family live, where my heart is. It's not a place, it's home.... And the people of the 8th District aren't just citizens or constituents, y'all are my family, the ones I've known my whole life. Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful? A story I didn't just see and hear but was a part of was during the early stages of my campaign during the first summer at the King County Fair in Enumclaw. There was a large Asian family group that has been enjoying the day, and then there was the little girl, detached from her family and crying. The care that large family showed, in an instant, the way we were able to problem solve and organize to send for help. I was campaigning at the King County Republican party booth, but that didn't matter, it wasn't about politics, it wasn't about color, it was about community and caring. In the end, the child's family was found, they were nearby, and we all shook hands and shared some smiles. To me that's the best, when we all come together as one, where reconnecting a child with their parents is the biggest worry of the day. That's the community I want to bring back. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Of course — but here’s the thing: compromise must be a two-way street. We can compromise on budgets, but I can’t compromise on my values. I will never trade truth for a deal or my moral compass for political points. What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States? I would like to see a shift back to in-person voting, to me that builds community. I still remember going to the polling place on election night with my dad when I was a little boy. It was at my elementary school, and I saw many other students there with their parents. It was peaceful and well attended. Those are good times and great memories.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]