Martin McLaughlin
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Martin McLaughlin
Party
Republican
Election Year
2016
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 26
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington IL., B.A., 1987
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Lions Club, Active Member, Honor Ride and Run
Volunteer, The Einstein Academy, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Village President Brrington Hills, 2.8 years
Chairman BACOG, 6 months
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
In formation: will be detailed on website.
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
Strongly Agree
Election of judges by the people for a definite term of office is the best way to select judges.
Agree
More restrictive gun control laws are needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry into the country.
Strongly Agree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
Agree
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self-interest into the most productive economic system there is.
Strongly Agree
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.
Agree
Marijuana should be legalized and regulated like tobacco and alcohol.
Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
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.
Strongly Agree
Free-market competition for education dollars, rather than a government monopoly, would create a better education for all students.
Strongly Agree
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.
Agree
The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings.
Strongly Disagree
Business owners should be required by law to bake cakes, provide flower arrangements, etc., for same-sex weddings, even when these activities would infringe on their sincerely-held religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Our state should participate in the nationwide Common Core standards for high-school graduation.
Strongly Disagree
Physician-assisted suicide should be legal.
Disagree
The more people live by Judeo-Christian values, the less government is needed.
Strongly Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) does not pose a threat to the United States and its Constitution.
Strongly Disagree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with public funds.
Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Planned Parenthood should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
The recognition that mankind throughout history had proven time and time again to ignore the rights of individuals. It was only through the creation of a form of government where individuals' rights were recognized and then protected from undue influence, corruption, and force through the separation of powers. The protections and the rights of individuals to challenge authority and the status quo that we enjoy regulate the abuses of power that have destroyed civilized society.
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, Constitution, Voters, Supreme Court, Congress
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
To save the life of the mother as determined by the family and their physician. In the case of rape or incest. Never for convenience.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God and Jesus Christ as our savior. I believe in the Judeo-Christian ethic and that the foundation of our country and its history cannot be ignored. I believe that the Constitution is not a living document but one which was set forth as a guide to provide protections for inherent rights provided by the creator. I believe that all men are created equal and that each possesses free will. I believe that each person set forth on this earth has the capacity for good or evil and it is incumbent upon each to strive for creating an environment where people can live their lives free to pursue their individual happiness resulting in a collective good. I believe in the free market system and competition. I believe that government is never a solution to problems but rather in most cases is the problem itself. I believe that history has proven that the free market system is the most productive and stable ever to be created by man.
Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which of these best describes you?
Very Conservative
Please defend your answer to the previous question by referencing your publicly available track record.
I have proposed the goal of reducing the size of government and making government more accountable and efficient. I have proposed restructuring programs and departments, and introduced methods which have come from the business sector. Then I took action and enacted these proposals. The village I represent in my time in office has: -Decreased legal expenditures by over 70% per year in my time in office. -Implemented private sector contribution standards for all village employees health insurance programs -Restructured the Police department through early separation programs and negotiations with the police union. -Consolidated our 911 center improving response times while saving taxpayers an estimated $5 million over the next 10 years. -Improved cash reserves and paved more roadways These initiatives have resulted in lower spending levels for 3 years in a row and lower taxes (levy) in the last two years (held it flat my first year).
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you.
Martin@MartinMcLaughlin.com | (224) 633-3082
Additional comment from candidate:
I am running for office because I want the state of Illinois to be a place where I can affordably raise my family, continue to grow my business, and retire. I know we face a difficult task fixing our beloved state of Illinois. But I am an optimist that welcomes a challenge. I came from humble beginnings, and my wife and I have worked tirelessly to earn every penny we have and provide for our children. I was told I would never defeat the entrenched powers when I ran for Village President, yet despite being outspent 5-to-1 by the incumbent I won by nearly 20%. I was told I couldn’t use my common sense private sector experience to clean up my bloated local government rife with cronyism, yet I have successfully reduced spending, cut taxes, and put the village on a path towards fiscal responsibility. We can fix our state, but it will require bold measures. I have led by example, and that has prepared me to serve as State Senator.
