Mary Bentley
Republican | Arkansas
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mary Bentley
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 54
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Harding University, Searcy, BSN, 1983
WORK & MILITARY
Bentley Plastics, President, 22
Arkansas Childrens Hosp., RN, 10
Perry County Nursing Center, Director of Nursing, 2
AFFILIATIONS
Perry County Right to Life, Vice President, Perry County Republican Committee
Former Chairman, The Safe Place, Board Member, Contributor
Abundant life Pregnancy Center, Contributor, Heritage Foundation
Member, Contributor, NRA, Member, Contributor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative District 73, 7
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative, 2012
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (4)
Arkansas Right to Life
Tom Cotton
Gun Owners of Arkansas
Re-Open Arkansas
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Arkansas Gun Owners, Senator Tom Cotton
Senator Jason Rapert, Senator Gary Stubblefield, Senator Terry Rice, Senator Alan Clark, Senator Kim Hammer,
Representatives Rick Beck, Stephen Meeks, Cameron Cooper, Tony Furman, John Payton, Mark Lowery and Keith Brooks
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (7)
Austin McCollum Austin M. McCollum (2021)
David Meeks (2012)
DeAnn Vaught (2021)
Jason Rapert (2021)
Laurie Rushing (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Rick Beck (2022)
Stephen Meeks (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I have sponsored and voted repeatedly for legislation that would end the horrible decision of Roe vs Wade.Abortion should only be allowed if the mothers life is in danger.
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.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I have voted each year I have been in office to lower the tax burden on Arkansans. We can and should do what we can to eliminate the personal income tax in Arkansas.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
In Arkansas we have a balanced budget through the revenue stabilization act, but I believe there is still more cuts we can make to decrease our budget and return tax dollars back to Arkansans. We can start by just requiring the secretaries in each department to cut their budget by 1-2%.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
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?
None, the constitution gurantees us the freedom of religion. That is exactly why I passed legilation that would not allow the state to close our churches even in a pandemic. For many Arkansans their church family is there family, It is a source of strength and support during difficult times.
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.
C. Medicaid and Medicare should remain available for those who are disabled, the elderly and those who cannot provide healthcare for themselves. We can certainly do much more to be sure that we do everything we can to prevent fraud and abuse, the Arkansas taxpayer should be assured that only those who truly need it are receiving the help they need.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None, healthcare decisions should be private including vaccinations. They can certainly educate their citizens and employees on the benefits of a particular vaccine but the risk and benefits of each medical procedure should be a private decision.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Secure our Southern Border for a start! Not put billions of dollars of militatry weapons in their hands like we did in Afghanistan second.
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
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who are willing to go through the legal process we have in place.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Disagree
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
Strongly 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.
I believe that the word of God, the bible is 100% true, I believe that our Heavenly Father created the universe and made man to be in His image, that He sent His son Jesus to save us from the sin that entered the world through Adam. I excepted Christ at an early age to be my savior and it is my belief in Him that keeps me grounded as a State Legislator. I believe we are called to be servants when we take a ledership role and that is what I have strived to do as a State Legislator. I believe the foundation of our nation can be seen on the National Monument thats sit above the Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth Massachusetts, we are a Christian Nation based on Faith in God, an inner morality based on the word of God, Laws passed upon mercy and justice, education taught at an early age based on wisdom and Liberty over Tyranny.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
The Arkansas Legislature passed 14 laws this past session to secure our voting system, I am confident we have addressed the issues that occured in the 2020 election
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes, the lies and deception being taught to our students have distorted their view of our great nation, resulting in riots and threats. We need to return to teaching accurate history like what is found in David Bartons history book.
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?
To secure tranquility and provide for a common defense.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
You can view every bill I have filed and my complete voting record at Arkleg.org.
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 conservative christian leader at the Arkansas capitol with 7 years of experience. I have done exaclty what I promised I would do, to be a voice for small business and the hard working Arkansans who live in my district. I have been honored to be the house lead sponsor of the most prolife bill in the nation. I am a hard worker passing legislation that postively effect our state, like levee bills to help in times of flooding, bills to help expand the number of nurses in our state and encourage our schools to be healthy and active. It has been an honor to serve the people in district 73 at the state capitol and if i am blessed to have your vote I promise to continue to fight for your values and a strong Arkansas.
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.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None on law abiding citizens. We definitly need to work harder at keeping guns out of the hands of criminals
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
