Karen Testerman
Republican | New Hampshire
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Karen Testerman
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
San Jose State University, San Jose, BS, 1967
College of the Sequoias, Visalia, AA, 1964
Multiple Colleges and Universities, US Cities and Australia, Post Grad Courses
WORK & MILITARY
Cornerstone Policy Research, Founder & Executive Director, 2000-2008
WSMN 1590, Radio Host, 2003-present
WDER
AFFILIATIONS
All Saints Anglican Church, Member - Contributor, Coalition of NH Taxpayers
Member, School District Governance Association, Vice Pres. - Board Member
Family Research Council, Contributor, NH Federation of Republican Women
!st. VP - Member, NH Right to Life and Pregnancy Care Orgs., Member - Contributor
NH Firearms Coalition, Member, National Heritage Center for Const. Stuudies
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Franklin City Council, 2019-present
Chair of Merrimack County GOP, 2016-17
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
NH Governor, 2010
State Representative, 1996
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (3)
Dr. James Dobson
Huck PAC
Pastor Garrett Lear
OTHER (1)
Andrew Manuse
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Dr. James Dobson
Pastor Garret Lear
Dr. David Berman
Andrew Manuse
Granite Grok
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Mike Huckabee (2008)
Rick Santorum (2013)
State Republican Party Organizations (2017)
Steven Negron (2018)
Ted Cruz (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
The destruction of life created by God in His Image should never be allowed.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
This phrase does not mean separation of the church FROM the state. It means that there should be no religious practice mandated for every inhabitant. Individuals are free to make their own choice when it comes to religious exercise. Our government is still made for a moral people. The church is the conscience of the government.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Health care is best when it is direct between patient and provider. Eliminating the middle men will make it more accessible to all. Health care is about individual responsibility. The individual should be encouraged to understand, utilize and care for the incredible creation called the human body. The first step is for the individual to make good choices to properly nurture, exercise and treat the body with respect. Financially, encourage patient-provider direct payments. This necessitates individuals getting out of debt (Dave Ramsey approach) and building savings accounts that allow them to pay for the day to day expenses. It allows providers to negotiate for those who are economically disadvantaged. Purchasing of catastrophic insurance could be an option or joining a medical sharing program is another. Individual responsibility is key.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Government bureaucracies have grown way beyond the intent of the Founding Fathers. Righting the ship will take multiple years. Reduction in the size and scope of each agency is the beginning. A focus on individual responsibility must take precedence over providing for the individual. As Davey Crockett said to Congress, "It's not your money to spend." Leaving charity to the individual, churches and other benevolent organizations is the beginning of reducing government spending.
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who are healthy, able to work to support themselves and have a sponsor in the United States to accept responsibility should the immigrant need help. The individual immigrant must be willing to denounce allegiance to all other foreign governments.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
This is a constitutionally protected right. It protects the individual and the First Amendment and the citizen from the government's tyranny. It must be handled on an individual basis decided at the local level. New Hampshire is a leader in the United States in the area of law enforcement.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
As a governor, this will depend upon the legislation that is passed by the state legislature. However, the Governor does have a bully pulpit to inform, inspire and encourage the citizens of the state to reinforce individual responsibility, the family unit and civic responsibilities. The Governor sets the vision for the state, that includes living within the revenue available. Specifically, there are laws on the books in NH that are unconstitutional. I would sign any repeal of these laws.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
The constant labeling of people is a tactic used and promoted to divide the people and pit one group agains another. A house divided against itself cannot stand. We can celebrate our origins. However focusing on the content of character and qualifications with respect must be encouraged in all levels of our society and our government.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
https://patch.com/new-hampshire/concord-nh/conservative-activist-testerman-primary-gov-sununu https://www.wmur.com/article/conservative-republican-testerman-says-shell-challenge-sununu-in-gubernatorial-primary/32818174https://granitegrok.com/blog/2020/06/karen-testerman-announces-primary-challenge-to-gov-chris-sununu Any number of youtube posts under a search for Karen Testerman - over 10 years. https://www.nhcornerstone.org - Our Story tab
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have lived in every region of the United States of America and internationally. I am currently and have been an elected officer in numerous civic, religious and non-profit organizations. I have a degree in microbiology with a minor in chemistry. I am an educator and researcher.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am the first to graduate from college in my family. My family was lower middle class economically. However, I have lived the American Dream and know that I am very blessed to live in this great state and this great country of opportunities. I am the recipient of the FRC Family, Faith and Freedom Award; the Eagle Forum Award, and the NH FPC William Wilberforce Award.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. My principles and beliefs are based in the Holy Bible. I wa blessed with parents who instilled in me the importance of being responsible for my own choices and living with the consequences of those choices.
