Mike Sparks
Republican | Tennessee
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mike Sparks
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 49
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Bachelors, 2016
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Smyrna Rotary Club, Fundraising Sponsorship Chairman
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Rutherford County Commission, 2002-2010
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Smyrna PLanning Committee member, 2001-20010
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2020
100%
2012
100%
2021-2022
91%
2021
90%, 88% (cum.)†
2020
|100%
2012
|100%
2021-2022
|91%
2021
|90%, 88% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (3)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Tennessee Right to Life
*Patriot Parents
OTHER (1)
*Tennessee Employees Action Movement PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Tennessee Right To Life, Tennessee Professional Firefighters Assoc., Tn State Employees Assoc., Republican Association
OTHER INFORMATION
Vote record from votesmart
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Provide incentives for entrepreneurs to start a business. Freeze property assessments that are escalating taxes out of control for homeowners in my county due to people moving ion from California and other states. I proud to pass legislation twice that cuts taxes. One of gun safes and gun safety devices and cut taxes off montyhly ‘mom and pop’ newspapers. Get government out of the way…Too much bureaucracy with owning a small business
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Tennessee has a balanced budget and named one of most fiscally sound in the nation.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
Tennessee currently offers college courses in high school…The coast of college is too high. With technology today and online college courses applying competition and the free-market the price of college should be reduced.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
As a business owner and owner of 4 prior businesses I want government out of the way.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None!!! I just produced a video early this year of a local church threatening to be shut down by building codes officials and a black church that was blocked from worshipping. Sadly, the couldn’t use their own building for 2 years. They closed up past year.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
Free-Market, competition, increased transparency in healthcare, keep Medicaid and Medicare and TnCare with reforms.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Screen immigrants, FBI should do their job and leave innocent Americans alone and Investigate threats, Hire informants
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Not just strongly agree—But ‘Hell Yes’ I agree!
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Political and religious persecution, Current American families. Im the son of an immigrant who came here legally after meeting my late father after WW11.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Im a Christian believer and grew up in the Catholic Church—now a baptist. My opinion is that Christians need to be more politically active, but also compassionate to make a positive impact of society.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Tennessee was recently named #1 in the nation for voting integrity by The Heritage Foundation. If it ‘ain’t broke’— don't fix it.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. Let’s follow the second greatest commandments ‘Love our neighbors as ourselves.’ As well as Dr. King ‘content of their character and not color of their skin.’ My assistant is black. I won an award from a black fraternity’s few years ago and I’m very proud of it.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government exist to create rules and laws elected by the representatives for the people and by the people. There are various levels of government that are needed from local school boards, city councils, county commissions, road superintends, property assessors, congressman, state representatives and more. These loca and state and federal governmental bodies makes decisions and rules and laws that are necessary to help in different aspects of society from education, infrastructure, corrections, healthcare and more.. GOVERNMENTs almost certainly originated with the need to protect people from conflicts and to provide law and order as well.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
To term ‘conservative’ is finding solutions to problems in our society in an efficient manner and also improve lives not take advantage of the poor. The current loan sharp business of title pawns, pay day loan and check cashing business are worse than the mafia of the past…There needs to be reforms, sadly, lawmakers have accepted thousands of dollars in campaign donations—this the industry has purchased silence. As a Christian there will come a day when we as lawmakers will have togive account.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Go to YouTube and search ‘Ms. Helen Predatory lending.’ That’s a video I produced and late had the local Fox 17 news do a story. She was a black female about 64 years of age and her sister who was special needs and battling cancer (now deceased). She needed a loan for $1200 and saw an ad for 11% interest—it was 11% MONTHLY! 132% Interest Rate! The loan company wanted her to default so they could repossess her car. …Sadly, your group will remain silent wont you? Feel free to call me 615-525-3198. I’ve got $100 to help bring awareness—I highly doubt if you’ll do anything to help stop it. “All That is Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is for Good Men to Remain Silent.” Edmund Burke
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No, and extremely proud to be married for 33 years. What a strange question and I find it offensive. Our country is $31 Trillion in debt, illegal immigrants drug epidemic, fatherless epidemic, fentanyl crisis, potential nuclear war, Israel under attack by Iran—we are losing our country.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Married 33 years, two sons, was born and grew up in Smyrna, Tn. I’m for U.S. Term Limits, limited government, drilling here in our country and becoming energy independent, teaching our youth to be responsible, educated and productive citizens. They can call my office and ask me a question IF THEY RESIDE IN MY DISTRICT 615-741-6829. I will be glad to speak and answer any questions.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
The question is worded wrong. Im in favor of FUNDING THE POLICE with additional funds for mental health, de escalation education for officers and invest in lives on the front end. Our country has the highest amount of incarceration in the world. Is your Group trying to address that? Its a conservative issue. Our Tennessee corrections budget has doubled since I was elected not totally $1,200,000,000 (Billion).
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Our current laws are good. I passed the gun safe tax cut bill, exemptions sales taxes from gun safes. We need to get stolen guns off the streets.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
