Gary McKechnie
Democrat | Florida
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Gary McKechnie
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2018
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 12
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Valencia Community College, Orlando, AA, 1982
University of Central Florida, Orlando, BA, 1985
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Golden Triangle Democrats, Member, Lake County Democrats
Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (6)
Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida
Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida
Democratic Women's Club of Florida
National Organization for Women - Florida
Florida Planned Parenthood PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida
Florida NOW
Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida
Planned Parenthood of Florida
Progressive Change Campaign Committee
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Disagree
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 Disagree
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.
Neutral
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 Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Agree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Neutral
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Agree
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.
Neutral
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Agree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Disagree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Neutral
The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Neutral
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Disagree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Neutral
I support sanctuary cities.
Agree
I support the death penalty.
Neutral
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
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.
Neutral
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2010 Democratic Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Democratic Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Democratic Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Democratic Primary
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
That's up to the woman who's facing this very personal issue.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Centuries of human progress. They could look at the Magna Carta as well as works by Blackstone and Locke, consider religious persecution, see warnings in eras of greed and cruelty and promise in times of progress and enlightenment and create what, for that time and this, is an ingenious framework for self-government. By providing citizens with "certain inalienable rights" they trusted the people to create and sustain a government that would remain in balance for the common good.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Every day I thank God for my blessings because I've been given so much. In my life and in this, my first campaign, I practice the Golden Rule which has been the basis of most major religions for thousands of years. It allows me to share my answers with you that, while not replies you would agree with, affirm our common bond as people who share similar goals and values as well as the opportunity to learn from one another's perspective.
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?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Google my name and you'll find articles I've written, books I've written, videos I've appeared in, and talks that I've given in which I affirm our commonality as Americans and our responsibility to be civil with one another. To me, planting your flag as arch-conservative or as an ultra-liberal misses the opportunity to find solutions based on what I've stated as the foundation for my campaign: Compassion. Common Sense. Compromise.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Show people the value of work. Get people engaged in vocational training if they don't have a desire to go to college. Have retirees teach young people how to create a business and become entrepreneurs. Bring back programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps to get millions of Americans working on roads, parkways, paths, parks... Hundreds of thousands of jobs need to be done and we have hundreds of thousand people ready to work.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Create a single payer system. If we truly believe in the sanctity of life, what is so wrong with creating a system in which we look out for the least among us? How is providing someone with healthcare so a minor ailment doesn't become a major illness wrong? Politicians dole out millions in corporate welfare. Why not give some of that to ensure that a parent is healthy enough to work, or so a child doesn't have to go to the emergency room for lack of healthcare? The Golden Rule.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
I'd have to leave this one to an economist.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Have folks visit my website -- garymckechnie.com -- and you'll see. My life as a writer and author who's traveled across the state of Florida and across the United States for the past 30-some years has given me an awareness of America and its people. In addition, I've been an active citizen who's given to my community for decades with only one goal, and that's to do my part as a citizen. Also, I am an educator who teaches students about civics and American government. This campaign is a culmination of my life experiences.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
info@Gary2018.com and (352) 406-3659.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Although we may disagree, we never have to be disagreeable. We're all in this together.
