Chris Garten
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Chris Garten
Party
Republican
Election Year
2018
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 45
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Scottsburg High School, Scottsburg, Honors, 2000
Indiana University Southeast, New Albany
Martin Methodist College, Pulaski, TN
WORK & MILITARY
United States Marine Corps, Gunnery Sergeant, 2002-2017
AFFILIATIONS
National Rifle Association, Life Member, Indiana Sheriffs Association
Benefactor, Scott County Chamber of Commerce, Vice President
Building & Development Association of Southern IN, Board Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Life Member, American Legion, Member
Marine Corps League, Member, Scott County Public Defender Board
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Associated Builders and Contractors
Hoosiers for Quality Education
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
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.
Agree
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.
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.
Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Agree
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Agree
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
No Answer
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Agree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
I support the death penalty.
Agree
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2010 Democratic Primary, 2012 General Election, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
When the life of the mother is at risk.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
The founders experience; based on their escape from tyranny; believed that a system built on the framework of shared power that created a platform of what we now know as checks and balances; was critical in preventing the abuse of power by the government.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a child of God. My faith is the cornerstone of who I am as a man. My family and I worship at a Non-Denominational Christian Church and have for our entire adult lives.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
My wife and I have a history of financially supporting numerous Republican candidates and/or Republican elected officials. My wife and I have both served as Scott County Republican Precinct Committeeman/ Committeewoman and/or Precinct Committeeman/ Committeewoman Vice Chairs.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Indiana currently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in history. With that being said; continued deregulation; low taxes; continuing education, up to date infrastructure, and a sustained positive business climate all have a positive correlation in lowering the unemployment rate.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
The Free Market System works. Health care providers have to be able to compete across state lines. Over regulation of the health care industry has help caused administrative costs to sky rocket to 30% of the overall cost, among the highest in the world. This is asinine. In the Free Market System, health care providers that compete openly, with out government meddling, will be forced to provide the highest quality of health care in the most efficient manner or they will be pushed out of business by competitors accomplishing exactly that.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Government should focus on living within its means, national security, deregulation, and maintaining an up to date infrastructure; these are all key factors in strengthening and maintaining a strong economy.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
My life's experience is what defines my candidacy. Born into a broken home plagued with domestic violence, child abuse, drug abuse; a home well below the poverty line I was forced to become a resilient problem solver early in life. I got my first job at the age of 12 working on a farm in rural Southern Indiana. At the age of 14 I started living with who I consider to be my family and was later adopted by them. After graduating Scottsburg High School with Honors, I attended Indiana University Southeast. During my Sophomore year 9/11 happened. In response I joined the Marine Corps and ultimately deployed to Iraq in 2003 and again in 2005. After returning from my 2nd deployment I started a small business in my 1-car detached garage called Signature Countertops. Signature Countertops now has 2 locations and employs close to 30 Hoosiers all across Southern Indiana. I'm excited about putting my combat experience, my business experience, and my life experience to work for Hoosiers.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
gartenforsenate@gmail.com 812-307-9091
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
• Personal • Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps (2 combat tours in Iraq) • President of Signature Countertops, Incorporated • Business Accolades: • “James W. Robinson Young Professional of Year” 2017 Presented by One Southern Indiana • “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” Awarded by the Indiana Southeast Business Development Center • “Highest Award for Achievement” Awarded by the Dale Carnegie Leadership Course • “20 Under 40” Awarded by Southern Indiana Business Source • “Small Business of the Year” 2014 & 2016 Awarded by Scott County Chamber of Commerce • Community Involvement: • Scott County Chamber of Commerce Vice-President • Building & Development Association of Southern Indiana Board Member • Scott County Public Defender Board Member • Marine Corps League Member • American Legion Member • Indiana Sheriffs Association Benefactor • Veterans of Foreign (VFW), Life Member • National Rifle Association (NRA), Life Member • Indiana Farm Bureau Member • NFIB Member
