John Leiber
Republican | Wisconsin
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John Leiber
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
Treasurer
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin - Parkside, Kenosha, BA, 2000
University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, JD, 2021
WORK & MILITARY
WI State Assembly, Research Assistant, 2013-2016
Caledonia Park and Rec Commission, President, 2010-2012
Various Campaigns, Various roles, 2008-2018
Klein Law Office, Attorney, 2021- present
Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Tax Representative, 2019
AFFILIATIONS
Racine County Republican Party, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Caledonia village board, 2012
Racine Unified school board, 2008-2009
Wisconsin State Assembly, 2018
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
OTHER (1)
*Van Wanggaard
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Representative Dave Murphy
State Representative Robert Wittke (R-Wind Point)
Taylor Wishau, Racine County Supervisor
Adam Graf, Union Grove Village Trustee
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
Robin Vos (2012)
Tom Weatherston (2012)
Van H. Wanggaard (2011)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Robin Vos (2010)
State Republican Party Organizations (2018)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe abortion should only be allowed to save the life of the mother.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
As State Treasurer, I would allow no abortion provider to receive funds from my office.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
We should reduce the tax burden, take measures to make it easier for people to complete their tax forms, and the tax structure should be organized so that the state accumulates no more taxes than necessary. When there is a surplus, that means taxes were too high.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
As State Treasurer, I would ensure that my office does not expand in positions or scope and spend more money than needed. I am the only candidate in this race who does not want to spend more money in the Treasurer's office.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
No one should be forced to violate their religious beliefs.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Government would be justified in closing churches only when there's a natural disaster or imminent danger from a specific event.
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
As Treasurer, I won't require vaccinations for anyone working in or visiting my state office. I believe people should be free to make their own healthcare choices for themselves and their children.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
The Wisconsin State Treasurer has no role in US foreign policy.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
As Wisconsin State Treasurer, I would not support divesting from Israel.
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
There's no question our immigration laws and system are broken and reform is needed. It's easier now for someone to come here illegally than it is for them to get through the process legally and that isn't right. The primary goal of our immigration policy should be to benefit our country. That means the laws should prioritize allowing immigrants into the US who will contribute to our country economically, scientifically or some other useful way. This wouldn't exclude refugees, rather any policy in this area should be viewed through the lens of what best benefits our country. As Wisconsin State Treasurer, I would support legal immigrants who support our state's economy and future success, especially in areas where employers in our workforce are struggling to find qualified applicants.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
All Wisconsin students should receive the quality education I received at a private school, regardless of their economic status. Trapping students from poorer families in failing public schools all but guarantees they won't reach their full potential. A statewide voucher program will force the public schools to compete and improve outcomes for students. The goal of a school choice program isn't to hurt public schools, but to provide better education for all students.
Parents are the primary stakeholders in their children's education.
Strongly Agree
The biggest indication of whether a student will do well in K-12 is when their parents are involved in their education and hold the student accountable.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I don't think we should add yet another protected class to this group of laws.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised to be honest, truthful, compassionate and to have a strong work ethic. As an adult, I've chosen to exercise those values and practice them in my personal and professional life. It offends me when people are taken advantage of by others. I went to law school and became a lawyer in order to help others, and that desire to serve is also why I'm running for State Treasurer. In terms of faith, I'm a Christian.
Marriage between one man and one woman and the families they form are the foundation of civilization and are fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of Wisconsin.
Choose not to answer
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voting is the only time citizens get to choose who runs our nation. Identification is required in nearly every aspect of our lives, including air travel, check writing, buying alcohol, applying for a job, and getting married. Why wouldn't we require identification to choose the next leaders of our country? Since IDs are required in so many facets of our lives, and the burden of getting one is small, there's little excuse not to show some form of ID to vote.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I believe changes are needed, but the State Treasurer plays no role in managing elections. The best way to change current voting laws is to elect the right governor, lt. governor, attorney general and secretary of state to serve us. Those offices can play a role in future elections.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. Thoughts alone, no matter how disagreeable, are never a threat.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A: The State Treasurer is on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, which manages 77,000 acres of state land. I want to make sure the land in our charge is managed responsibly so it remains robust. I will work with stakeholders to advocate for the integrity of the fund and to promote any way it can benefit jobs and the economy.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
As rising gas prices have shown, energy independence is of vital importance to our nation.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
As a true fiscal conservative, I support the roadmap outlined by our Declaration of Independence. The purpose of government is to secure our God-given rights.
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
I have worked to get conservative Republicans elected for over twenty years, volunteering for candidates and the county party at countless events. I've knocked on tens of thousands of doors around the state to help elect people who share my conservative values.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
From my Assembly campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiRvwMTC9W8
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No. Those convicted of crimes that hurt others or would reflect poorly on the office should disqualify a person from election to that office.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
As a true fiscal conservative, I will focus on the duties of the office reliably without expanding the office or governmental reach. I'm an attorney and a former legislative staffer, so I'm comfortable administering the office with a public servant's understanding of its history and the importance of its future. The Treasurer is the sole employee of this office, so it's critical to elect someone with personal and professional integrity, a solid work ethic, and the ability to effectively communicate and work with a variety of people and organizations. I believe I'm the best candidate to do that. I will use the position to speak out for better financial education and support of all Wisconsinites. As a BCPL member, I will focus on ensuring that the benefits of the trust fund are spread fairly throughout the state so all communities benefit from this resource, not just a few.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I believe qualified immunity is necessary for law enforcement to do their jobs.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
If mental health programs need more funding, that money should not be taken away from police budgets. I do not support de-funding the police.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill and those with violent criminal convictions is what we should be focusing on.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
