

Michael Watson
Republican | Mississippi
Candidate Profile
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael Watson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2019
Election
Primary
Race
Secretary of State
Incumbent
No
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, Member, American Heart Association
Supporter/Volunteer, American Cancer Society, Supporter/Volunteer
Sigma Nu Fraternity, Chaplain, Hight AG
Youth Minister
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
MS State Senate, 2008-Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2018
|67%
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Gov. Phil Bryant
MADA
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Chris McDaniel (2014)
Roger Wicker (2008)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
When a health risk to the mother is fatal and no other medical interventions will suffice.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
Socialism provides a robust foundation for a stable economy.
Strongly Disagree
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Get government out of the way. By that, I mean fewer regulations and smaller government which both lead to lower taxes. This allows entrepreneurs and job creators to grow their businesses and hire more employees.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Reducing the overly-burdensome regulatory scheme, shrinking its breadth and scope and lowering taxes.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or business owners because of their deeply held religious beliefs.
Strongly Agree
Governments should not penalize those who 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 Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
The problem with the healthcare debate is that it's been focused on how to pay for such an expensive system as opposed to how do we bring costs down. We need to start the discussion with increasing access to care, and it begins with telemedicine, more nurse practitioners, fewer regulations for our doctors and other medical professionals, and more competition in the pharmaceutical and insurance industries, amongst a few other issues.
NATIONAL SECURITY
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
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Biblical values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Strongly Disagree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
Free speech is under attack on public university and college campuses.
Strongly Agree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Selfishness and unhealthy ambition.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and pay the ultimate price for my sins. I've always tried to keep God first and treat others as I'd like to be treated. I was raised in church as a pastor's son and committed my life to Jesus at an early age. I seek God in all things, and though I'm not perfect, He has continued to be so faithful to me. My wife and I disciple our daughters in the faith at home and through active membership in our church.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I've 12 years of votes that can be reviewed on the MS Legislative website, as well as multiple legislative scorecards published by various organizations. For instance, I currently hold the highest lifetime rating in the MS Senate with the American Conservative Union.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
As a practicing attorney and small business owner, I've had to interact with the Secretary of State's office on behalf of clients and for our family's small business, which has given me an inside look at how the office operates. Additionally, while in the legislature, I've had to study and/or work on election law issues, 16th section land issues, tidelands issues, and many others under the Secretary of State's domain. Having worked with the office from the private sector and public sector, I've got a unique perspective and am ready to get to work on day one.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
michael@michaelwatson.ms; 601.359.2395
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Did not answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Strongly Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
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