Mark Chelgren
Republican | Iowa
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Chelgren
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 26
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Riverside Community College, Riverside, AS, 91
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Kiwanis, President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Senator, 8 years
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
My Family
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2012)
Sandy Salmon (2012)
State Republican Party Organizations (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (13)
Educational Opportunities PAC (2014)
Iowa Association of Business and Industry (2017)
Iowa Gun Owners Political Action Committee (2014)
Iowans for Right To Work (2010)
Iowans for Tax Relief (2017)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Renewable Energy Group (2017)
OTHER INFORMATION
Key votes from Vote Smart
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
To save the life of the mother or sibling. In consultation with a doctor regarding the survival of the child. IE a baby born with no lungs or brain.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
To save the life of the mother or sibling. In consultation with a doctor regarding the survival of the child. IE a baby born with no lungs or brain.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
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.
Neutral
It depends greatly on how the law is written.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
It depends greatly on how the law is written.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Real Churches should never be closed. Organizations that use church as a cover to harm society are not protected.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Real Churches should never be closed. Organizations that use church as a cover to harm society are not protected.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We should encourage the economy of countries or regions that oppose terrorism and boycott products from countries that support terrorism.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We should encourage the economy of countries or regions that oppose terrorism and boycott products from countries that support terrorism.
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
I support a two state solution as Palestinians are not citizens of Israel.
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
I support a two state solution as Palestinians are not citizens of Israel.
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.
None of the above. Basic health care should be covered as not to allow people to die in the streets. Access to emergency rooms and charity clinics. All other healthcare would be provided by insurance (both private and governmental) or private pay with the market dictating costs.
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.
None of the above. Basic health care should be covered as not to allow people to die in the streets. Access to emergency rooms and charity clinics. All other healthcare would be provided by insurance (both private and governmental) or private pay with the market dictating costs.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
It depends on the vaccine and the job required.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
It depends on the vaccine and the job required.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
We should move to a Value added tax and consumption Tax and move away from income tax as it penalizes work ethic and investment in business.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
We should move to a Value added tax and consumption Tax and move away from income tax as it penalizes work ethic and investment in business.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
All spending that did not have high value returns. Returns are financial or the specific responsibilities of government.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
All spending that did not have high value returns. Returns are financial or the specific responsibilities of government.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Not everyone has the work ethic to be successful in college.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Not everyone has the work ethic to be successful in college.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
We are doing a disservice to America and our guests by allowing criminals and drugs to enter our country.
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
We are doing a disservice to America and our guests by allowing criminals and drugs to enter our country.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those that want to contribute to our great country and those who we invite based on persecution in their own country.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those that want to contribute to our great country and those who we invite based on persecution in their own country.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support parents with resources required to educate each child.
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support parents with resources required to educate each child.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
If a police officer is following departmental policy, they should be protected.
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
If a police officer is following departmental policy, they should be protected.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
Each department should be funded to the level of need independently.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
Each department should be funded to the level of need independently.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Responsible Citizens should have no restrictions.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Responsible Citizens should have no restrictions.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Victims of drunk driving should not be able to sue Auto manufacturers either.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Victims of drunk driving should not be able to sue Auto manufacturers either.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Protection and support of commerce while protecting individual liberties.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Protection and support of commerce while protecting individual liberties.
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
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
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
One of the most Conservative Iowa Senators for 8 years.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
One of the most Conservative Iowa Senators for 8 years.
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
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
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I am a Constitutionalist and fiscal conservative. I believe in more efficient government in order to be good fiscal stewards of tax payer money. I believe in individual freedoms and am proud of Our Country and State.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I am a Constitutionalist and fiscal conservative. I believe in more efficient government in order to be good fiscal stewards of tax payer money. I believe in individual freedoms and am proud of Our Country and State.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
The United States is not perfect but it is the best place for freedom and opportunity.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
The United States is not perfect but it is the best place for freedom and opportunity.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
I disagree with all special protected classes other than Adult/Child.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
I disagree with all special protected classes other than Adult/Child.
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
Government should only define the contract between Adults.
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
Government should only define the contract between Adults.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
The United States is not a fundamentally racist country but we allow free thought and speech which may be abhorrent. Any individual or organization that promotes one race above another is racist. (KKK,BLM,LaRazza) all the same
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
The United States is not a fundamentally racist country but we allow free thought and speech which may be abhorrent. Any individual or organization that promotes one race above another is racist. (KKK,BLM,LaRazza) all the same
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and believe that Jesus died for my sins. I have been blessed and I feel it is my responsibility to serve others.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and believe that Jesus died for my sins. I have been blessed and I feel it is my responsibility to serve others.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voting is a civic responsibility and should be validated.
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voting is a civic responsibility and should be validated.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Allowing new technology to make voting easier and more secure.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Allowing new technology to make voting easier and more secure.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes… Iowa constitution says that their is no special class of citizen. Those who promote or degrade others based on race are racists. Organizations that promote racism should not have protected tax status.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes… Iowa constitution says that their is no special class of citizen. Those who promote or degrade others based on race are racists. Organizations that promote racism should not have protected tax status.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
The courts are for a redress of damages and anyone engaged in slavery should be prosecuted and should pay restitution to the victims. Reparations promote some citizens over others and therefore is wrong.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
The courts are for a redress of damages and anyone engaged in slavery should be prosecuted and should pay restitution to the victims. Reparations promote some citizens over others and therefore is wrong.
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.
Neither. It is a case by case basis.
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.
Neither. It is a case by case basis.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
So long as it is done responsibility and the company or entity is held accountable if they cause damage.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
So long as it is done responsibility and the company or entity is held accountable if they cause damage.
