Joel McEntire
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joel McEntire
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 19 - Pos. 2
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Pierce College, Tacoma, AA, 2013
Central Washington University, Ellensurg, BS, 2016
Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, MA, 2018
WORK & MILITARY
United States Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant, 2011-Present
Wahkiakum School District, Middle School Science Teacher, 2016-2019
Western Governors University, Program Mentor l, 2019-Present
AFFILIATIONS
LDS Church, Young Men's Leader, Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scout Leader
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Vice Chair Kittitas Republican Party, 2015-2016
Chair Wahkiakum Republican Party, 2018-Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Rep 19th LD, 2018
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Family Policy Institute of Washington Action
National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Washington
OTHER (1)
Associated General Contractors of Washington Build PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Associated General Contractors WA
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
State Republican Party Organizations (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
Luanne VanWerven (2018)
State Republican Party Organizations (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
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?
If the life of the mother is in jeopardy according to more than one competent, licensed physician.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
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?
All spending must be considered for reduction in order to balance the budget. The budget is so far unbalanced that our deficits can only be reduced through cuts or freezes to all programs
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.
Neutral
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?
The term "Separation of Church and State" are not found in our founding documents. Therefore, they don't have the same affect over my policy purposes as other statements concerning religion. I yield to the 1st Amendment that protects the establishment of religion and demands that the government will not prohibit the exercise of religion. These statements were included to protect religion from oppressive government, not the other way around.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I would allow the free market to innovate and compete for advances in healthcare and cost effective treatments. The reason that coverage and care is so expensive is that market forces are not in play and our government exercises a control economy over healthcare. This causes prices to skyrocket and healthcare bureaucrats to become rich. If we allow competition in the market, the consumer will benefit. This is more of a nationally caused problem than it is at the state level, though it is the state and citizens that bear the cost of these poor policies
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
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.
Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Individuals who are willing to endure the process of indoctrination, education, background checks and have skills necessary to the economic welfare of the United States should be allowed to immigrate here. This is for the current situation. The United States as a sovereign society has the prerogative to change our stance on immigration at any time without any accountability to other nations.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have attended church from the time of by birth to the present date. Today, I teach my children Christian principles and try to live in accordance with the teachings of Jesus in loving unconditionally all people and seeing all as children of God.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I am actually not a fan of titles such as conservative and liberal. They are not adequate in conveying the beliefs of a person. I enjoy discussing issues on a case by case basis. I have been told that I am conservative because I adhere to the principles of the Constitution and the rule of law. I thought those were principles that everybody believed in, but I guess not. I am called a conservative because I hold these things as a foundation of our nation and so be it. I will hold the title "conservative" if it means maintaining our Constitution and our founding principles as the basis of this free country.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a Bachelors Degree in Evolutionary Ecology from Central Washington University. This gives me a unique perspective on policy from the world of science. I also have my Masters in Mathematics Education from Western Governors University. I am a teacher at heart and like Mathematics. I don't necessary believe that one's education is a basis for which we should judge a person for office, but it does say something about a person't ability to endure long hours of academic activities and following through with long term goals. When I put my mind to something, I have always been successful.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
I have not been convicted a felony or penalized for sexual misconduct
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I would like people to know that I have dedicated my life to service of others and will continue to do so regardless of the outcome of this one election. I will continue to be a life long fighter for truth and the founding principles on which this country was made great.
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.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I don't believe that guns are the cause of public danger. No restrictions can keep the public safe according to the data that is available on the matter.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Neutral
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
The first area I wish to legislate about is concerning tax policy and regulation. I intend to get rid of needless regulation and maintain a tax system that is pro-business and fair to all. The second area I would legislate concerning is schools. Our schools fail too many children and we as a State fail to fulfill our pledge to offer quality education to our youth. We also leave them vulnerable to harm from those who wish to bring death and destruction to our children. The third priority I am interested in having a say in is the utilization of our natural resources. I believe local jurisdictions should have more say on how their natural resources are managed.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is always present in inclusive societies where people of different origins are able to live together. Racism is always a threat to individuals who are the victims of it. However, to say that the domestic security of the United States is in peril due to racism is a stretch and I do not agree with the strength of the words.
