Nate Knapper
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Nate Knapper
Party
Republican
Election Year
2014
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 43
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, CA, JD, 2011
Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Malibu, CA, Certificate, 2011
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, BA (Pol. Sci. and Communications), 2008
WORK & MILITARY
Michigan Department of Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, 2013-present
U.S. Department of Energy, Law Clerk, 2010
Michigan Department of Attorney General, Law Clerk, 2009
The White House, Intern, 2008
AFFILIATIONS
State Bar of Michigan, Member, Oakland County Bar Association
Member, State Bar of California, Member
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Member, Student Statesmanship Institute
Volunteer, Christian Legal Society, Member
Five Points Community Church, Member and Seminar Teacher, Oakland County Republican Party
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
n/a
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
n/a
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Michigan Right to Life
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Right to Life of Michigan
Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM)
Michigan Retailers Association
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
1. Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and are the key to national prosperity.
Agree
2. Election of judges by the people for a definite term of office is the best way to select judges.
Neutral
3. More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety.
Neutral
4. Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.
Strongly Disagree
5. Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry of persons into the country.
Strongly Agree
6. People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
7. Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
8. Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
9. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) should be repealed by Congress.
Strongly Agree
10. There should be a strict constitutional spending limit for state and local governments that would tie the rate of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Neutral
11. Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
12. Free market competition for education dollars, rather than a government monopoly, would create a better education for all students.
Agree
13. Where minor children are involved, divorce laws should be reformed to include mutual consent of both parents and an increased waiting period, unless there is fault or abuse.
Neutral
14. The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings.
Strongly Disagree
15. Religious freedom is our most foundational freedom and deserves added protection in our state and federal constitutions.
Strongly Agree
16. The founders established pure democracy in the Constitution because they believed that it is the best form of government to ensure the safety and equitable treatment of all citizens.
Disagree
17. Our state should participate in the nationwide Common Core standards for high-school graduation.
Strongly Disagree
18. What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers within the Constitution?
As people of faith, our Founders understood that mankind’s nature is tainted by the effects of sin. It was therefore necessary for them to define, separate, and limit the powers within the Constitution so that the expressions of this fallen nature would not result in the selfish, domineering exercise of power by any one individual or branch of government.
19. Based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, please arrange the following entities, starting with the highest source of authority, and continue the list in descending order of authority, skipping any that do not apply: Academia, Congress, Constitution, God, Industry, Media, Professional Sports, Supreme Court, Voters.
God, Voters, Constitution, Congress, Supreme Court
20. Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?
No, I do not believe abortion should be practiced under any circumstances. My desire to defend the sanctity of life as a member of the Michigan Legislature represents a commitment rooted in the teachings of my Christian faith. The Scriptures affirm that God is the one who gives "life and breath and everything else" (Acts 17:25), and I believe we should promote public policies that operate to defend, rather than extinguish, the precious gifts he gives.
21. Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
According to Ephesians 2:8-9, we are “saved by grace through faith, and this is not from ourselves. It is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Consistent with this teaching, I believe that salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, offered to us because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. How does this belief impact my public service efforts? The verse I’ve always tried to live by is Matthew 5:16. It says, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Significantly, there is a very public component to the light we’ve been given. We’re supposed to let it shine “before men.” I believe that the professions we choose are simply the vehicles by which we connect to a world in need of the redeeming, restoring, renewing love of Jesus Christ. Making this kind of connection requires us to reject an approach that considers it acceptable to stay distant and detached from the needs of the public.
