John Crane
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John Crane
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 24
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL, MA, 2001
Taylor University, Upland, IN, BA, 1995
Martinsville High School, Martinsville, IN, 1991
WORK & MILITARY
Sagamore Leadership Initiative, Inc., Founder and CEO, 2009 to present
Hoosier Times, Inc., Newspaper Columnist, 2014 to 2016
IN Family Institute's Hoosier Leadership Series, Program Director, 2013 to present
Grace College - Indianapolis, Adjunct Professor, 2012 to 2016
AFFILIATIONS
Connection Pointe Christian Church, Regular Attendee, Club for Growth Foundation
Fellow, Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Board of Directors
Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Colson Fellow, The Acton Institute
Cook Fellow, Heritage Foundation, Member
Wounded Warrior Project, Contributor, Boy Scouts of America
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Senate, 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2019
100%
2017-18
100%
2019
100%, 84% (cum.)†
2019
71%, 80% (cum.)†
2019
|100%
2017-18
|100%
2019
|100%, 84% (cum.)†
2019
|71%, 80% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (3)
Curt Smith
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Ryan McCann
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Indiana Right to Life
NFIB
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Connie Lawson (2018)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
State Republican Party Organizations (2018)
Tera Klutz (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
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?
I do not believe abortion should be allowed under any circumstances, because even in the cases of rape and incest, God's compassionate sovereignty can bring beauty from ashes.
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?
There are multiple areas of government spending that could (and should) be reduced. Government funded abortion (e.g. funding Planned Parenthood) should be suspended immediately. I would also defund the National Endowment of the Arts and much of what is used in the Department of Education, among other things.
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?
Many people have mistakenly bought into the cultural narrative that our constitution promotes the separation of church and state. However, President Thomas Jefferson reinforced in his letter to the Danbury Baptists that the wall of separation between church and state was intended to protect their religious liberties. That is to say, the wall of separation is intended to protect the church from the state, not the state from the church.
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?
I do not believe in universal healthcare. While I do have a heart of compassion for those who are in difficult health circumstances, I do not believe the burden for addressing those health issues is solely the responsibility of taxpayers. I believe the HIP 2.0 healthcare program implemented by our previous Governor (Pence) has shown tremendous promise in providing people in need the necessary incentives for them to pursue their own path to restored health.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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?
We are a nation of immigrants. As long as we have an "immigration problem", it indicates that there are still qualities in this great nation of ours that desperate people are willing to sacrifice life and limb to pursue. I just think they should do it the legal way. That is to say, they should come through front door of our nation, and not sneak through the back door. While it may seem compassionate to allow anyone to enter our country because of their desperate need, one cannot demonstrate mercy without justice and the rule of law.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
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 sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have been a life-long Christian and spend much of my time speaking, teaching, and writing on the Christian worldview--helping other people understand the truly Good Life that God has for us. Thus, my spiritual beliefs and values are grounded in God's Word and my heart's desire is to live and lead in a way that reflects His presence in my life.
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.
To learn more about me and my voting history, go here: https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/crane Also, here is an article I wrote in the Indianapolis Business Journal re. hate crimes: https://www.ibj.com/articles/72786-john-crane-a-law-without-a-list-is-inclusive-it-covers-everyone More recently, here is an article that was published in The Indianapolis Star regarding my position on marriage and family, as well as, Newsweek's coverage of this "controversy": https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2020/07/23/indiana-sen-john-crane-faces-backlash-over-views-parenting/5485903002/ https://www.newsweek.com/republican-state-senator-defends-saying-biological-parents-should-raise-children-designed-our-1520049
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a Masters degree in Communications and Culture from Trinity International University. I also come from a very politically active family, with my father running for Congress, and two uncles who served in Congress (including my Uncle Phil Crane from Illinois who served in Congress for 35 years and who was a presidential candidate in the 1980 Republican Presidential primary). Most relevantly, I have been privileged to serve for the last four years as the State Senator for District 24, the position for which I am seeking reelection. I am the Vice Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and well as, the Assistant Chairman of the Majority Caucus.
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?
It has been my pleasure to be able to serve in the Indiana Senate. I firmly believe that the rise or fall of any team, organization, state, or nation depends on leadership. I dedicate a majority of my personal and professional time teaching cultural leaders--helping next generation leaders and adult leaders--understand our times and know what to do. My time in the Senate is a practical extension of those leadership efforts.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I firmly believe in the 2nd Amendment and the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.
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?
I continue to strongly support legislation that promotes a culture of life, helps shore up families, and improves the education of children.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I do not believe racism itself is a direct threat to domestic security, but I strongly believe that the unchecked lawlessness which has resulted from the race-instigated protests nationally (including in Indiana) are a threat to the safety and security of all law-abiding citizens.
