Michael Watson
Republican | Mississippi
Candidate Profile
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael Watson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
General
Race
Secretary of State
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
University of Mississippi, Oxford, JD, 2003
University of Mississippi, Oxford, BBA, 2000
WORK & MILITARY
Watson Legal, PLLC, Owner, 6
Orion Engineering, In-House Counsel, 3
Dogan & Wilkinson, PLLC, Associate Attorney, 7
AFFILIATIONS
Rotary Club, Former Member, American Heart Association
Supporter/Volunteer, American Cancer Society, Supporter/Volunteer
Hight AG, Youth Minister
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
MS State Senate, 2008-2020
MS Secretary of State, 2020-present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (2)
Mississippi Association of Realtors-MARPAC
Mississippi Medical Political Action Committee (MMPAC)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
State Republican Party Organizations (2023)
Republican Women's Organizations (2021)
Courageous Conservatives (2016)
Chris McDaniel (2014)
Roger Wicker (2008)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (9)
Prosperity PAC (MS) (2023)
Republican State Leadership Committee (2023)
Casey Eure (2021)
Charles Busby (2021)
David McRae (2021)
OTHER INFORMATION
In this podcast, Michael Watson discusses his tenure as MS Secretary of State and his office's strategies for strengthening election integrity. The interview begins at 32:40 timestamp.
"Tackle the Tape" plan by Michael Watson, Secretary of State, to reduce unnecessary regulations.
Letter to Michael Watson from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, objecting to his support of the National Day of Prayer in his official capacity as MS Secretary of State.
These articles discuss Michael Watson's actions when he was a Mississippi State Senator:
- This national article about the school choice movement mentions Michael Watson's efforts.
- Text of a bill he sponsored in opposition to Obamacare.
- Text of a bill he sponsored in opposition to Common Core.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Health of the Mother
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants and Medicaid funding).
Strongly Agree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances should government close churches?
I have a hard time coming up with an instance where the government "should" close down churches. As a limited government conservative, the importance of protecting individual liberties, particularly the freedom of religion, is paramount and its enshrinement in the First Amendment should make that clear. I can however say that Covid-19 was and is not a circumstance where the Government should restrict any form of religious freedom if that is what you're asking.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
It starts with making sure we have the meanest, toughest, most respected military in the world. I'm not sure that's the case right with the woke agenda being shoved onto our soldiers.
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 options (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 the government should reform healthcare to maximize private health insurance options; D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C - While healthcare isn't a core function of government, I doubt there's future where Medicaid/Medicare doesn't exist, but they should be as efficient/effective as possible, and limited to those who actually need them.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Since I'm running up against a time deadline, I'll say I'm having a hard time thinking of when it would be ok, if ever.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
When the current tax cuts are fully implemented, MS will be in a very competitive position. That said, we should always study revenue and possible tax cuts as often as possible. Additionally, we should focus on core functions of government and whittle away at the rest. When it comes to non-core functions of government, free markets excel by fostering an environment that encourages innovation, competition, and job growth--all of which are most often stifled by unnecessary Government control.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
See previous answer.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who add value to our country and who are willing to support freedom and American values, and are willing to immigrate to the U.S. through the appropriate legal channels.
EDUCATION
The state should prioritize education funding by allowing dollars to follow the child instead of focusing on programs and administrators.
Strongly Agree
Prioritizing funding for students over institutions empowers parents to choose the educational environment that best suits their child and recognizes parents are in the best position to make those decisions, not the government. This funding method also increases customized educational opportunities, competition, accountability, and innovation within an outdated existing education model. As with all government funding, the goal should be efficient resource allocation, not protection of systems.
If you support giving parents more educational options, please list all of the following options that apply and in priority order: A) A universal Education Savings Account (ESA) program; B) An ESA program for low-income children only; C) Expanding tax credits for businesses to give to private schools; D) Expanding public charter schools; E) Allowing homeschoolers to take classes at the local public school.
A, D, C, B, E. That said, I think it's very important to allow homeschool students to participate in extracurricular activities with their traditional public school peers.
What most closely matches your view on pornography? A) I agree with the American Library Association that any person of any age should have access to any book; B) Library collections, displays and events should be curated using age-appropriate guidelines, similar to what we do for movies (G, PG, R, etc.); C) Mississippi libraries should follow state laws that prevent pornography from being accessible to minors.
C
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
I may tune up the word "consistent' and say "strictly followed"
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I do not support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs, but I also do not believe those two options have to be mutually exclusive. There are many state and federally-funded programs from which funding could be received and better allocated for services such as mental health, without having to defund law enforcement in any manner.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I'm not sure if the question is asking for additional measures, or from scratch, so I'm not sure I can properly respond.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
As a limited-government conservative, I believe the Government's role can be outlined at a high level as follows: 1. The protection of individual rights and the ability to exercise one's rights without undue interference or harm from the state or other citizens. 2. The application and enforcement of laws impartially and consistently, ensuring citizens are treated justly under the law, regardless of their background or circumstances in life. 3. To maintain a strong national defense and protect citizens, home and abroad, from undue threats. Ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. 4. The protection of property rights, provided the rights of another are not infringed upon. 5. A limited legislative state that advocates for minimal intervention and narrowly focuses any intervention on core functions that preserve individual liberty and encourage competitive markets and innovation. 6. Provides core public infrastructure to facilitate commerce and public life. Public education, law enforcement and first responders, hospitals, and other core functions at the local and municipal levels.
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
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
My voting record in the State Senate and numerous interviews over the last 16 years.
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
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
While serving as SoS, focusing on the integrity or our elections, making it easier to do business in MS by offering great service from our office and continuing to cut the regulatory burden, and focusing on the balance between economic development and conservation/preservation of our state lands.
VALUES
What most closely matches your view on marriage? A) Anything goes; B) Marriage between one man and one woman should be promoted and encouraged; C) A divorce should be hard to get; D) Marriage is important, but no-fault divorce should be allowed.
B
Judeo-Christian values establish a framework of morality that 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
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
While government may accept an adulterated version of marriage, that is simply a contract between two people.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe there is only one true God. He sent His son, Jesus, to die for us on the cross to cover our sins. We are all sinners who've fallen short. If we call on his name, ask for His forgiveness, accept Him into our heart as Lord and Savior, we'll have everlasting life with Him. As for values, it starts with loving God, loving others, and living a life acceptable to Him.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What most closely matches your view on ballot measures? A) Ballot measures should be able to amend the constitution with few, if any, restrictions; B) Ballot measures should only be able to propose changes to laws when signatures are collected from people all across the state; C) The current process of allowing the Legislature to propose constitutional amendments will result in the best outcomes.
None of the above.
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
While racism still exists in the US, it's not as bad as portrayed by the media. That said, I do not see it as a threat to domestic security.
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
