
Donald Ray Rients
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Donald Ray Rients
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 105
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL, Associate in Applied Science Electronic Technology, 1991
Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby, IL, Associate in Science, 1984
Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL, Associate in General Education, 1996
Minonk-Dana-Rutland High School, Minonk, IL, High School, 1981
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Boy Scouts - Roanoke Troop 71, Chairman, Gideons International - Livingston County
Varied - President, Vice President, Treasurer, Area Director, Benson Fire Protection District, President
St. Petri Lutheran Church, Board Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, Woodford County Republicans
Elected Precinct Committeeperson, American Legion, Sons of the American Legion Member
National Rifle Association, Member, Illinois State Rifle Association
Member, Guns Save Live, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Unites State Representative Candidate, 2015, 2018
Illinois State Representative Candidate, 2022
Race
Previous Races
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Darren Bailey (2022)
Darin LaHood (2020)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
State Republican Party Organizations (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In the case of the life of the mother being in danger prior to sustainable birth.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Each State should be free to have their own minimum wage standards. Minimum wages should only apply to full time (30 hours+ / week) and ages of 18 and older. It is not meant to be a living wage.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
Public monies should be used for infrastructure and the safety of its citizens, not interfering with businesses. Why would there be tax dollars going into efforts in a free market in order to coerce companies to act one way or another based on subjective fads and swaying the social climate?
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
If the U.S. constitution 1st amendment is changed or removed, the government may be able to close a church. Otherwise, they cannot.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, it is a true Democracy located in the middle east. It is also Biblically prudent to support Israel.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Non Citizens should not be allowed to be Police officers.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a evangelical Christian. I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, of where values are defined and measured. God is the triune God of the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. Because the United States doesn't have a race problem, except for those who try to add gasoline to the fires to try to keep it racist. The gasoline is in great part done by the left, BLM, etc., that want to try to keep power by saying there is a problem, thus dividing us.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
A and C
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To provide for the general welfare of the people. This is done by securing our borders, safety, and a great infrastructure. The people are to run the government, not the other way around.
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
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I wouldn't go as far as the public owning nuclear bombs, but the citizens should be able to defend ourselves against a tyrannical government. The current gun laws in illinois way overstep the 2nd amendment of the United States.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
As long as they are trained, and evaluated to be well disciplined and very mentally sound.
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