Melanie Sojourner
Republican | Mississippi
Candidate Profile
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Melanie Sojourner
Party
Republican
Election Year
2019
Election
Primary
Race
State Senate, Dist. 37
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, B.S., 1992
Copiah Lincoln Junior College, Wesson, MS, A.A., 1989
WORK & MILITARY
Mississippi Cattlemen's Assn., Area Vice President, 2005 - 2007
National Cattlemen's Assn., Director of Member Services, 2000 - 2005
Farm Bureau Federation, State Board of Dir. Delegate, 2007 - 2018
AFFILIATIONS
MS Senate Conservative Coalition, Founding Member & Past Secretary, National Rifle Association
Member, First Baptist Church Natchez, Former Youth Leader & Choir Member
Adams County GOP, Executive Committee Member, Natchez Regional Healthcare Fou.
Founding Board Member, Adams Christian School PTL, Past President
MS State University 4-H, Livestock & Shooting Sports Leader
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Senator District 37, 2012-2015
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Chris McDaniel (2018)
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?
Life of the mother.
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?
To allow the free market place to thrive and prosper. This is best achieve by reducing the interference of government, by rolling back regulations, reducing taxes and cutting wasteful spending. Research also shows that providing public assistance as a lifestyle and not simply as a means to get one back on their feet also discourages many from choosing to seek unemployment.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Similar to the unemployment question. The best role the government can play is to get out of the way of businesses and job creators. Roll back regulations, cut spending, and lower taxes. Taking these steps allow the market place to become more competitive, provides for a greater exchange of good and ideas to help the economy better prosper. History has repeatedly shown that the more government engages the more economies are stifled.
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?
Again this can be achieved by limiting governments involvement in healthcare. When we allow the free market place to work and create competition within the environment prices will naturally be driven down and access becomes more open for greater individuals to participate. One examples is allowing individuals to seek coverage from providers across state lines.
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.
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?
Greed, avarice and a lust for power that can be more easily acquired by centralizing authority. It was the drive between putting so much emphasis on the power of the states over a centralized federal authority.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised a Southern Baptist and have a deep personal relationship with Our Lord and Savior. My salvation is through His son Jesus Chris who died and was resurrected to give us eternal life with Our Father. I am a true Constitutional Conservative who is guided by my Christian beliefs.
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.
As a former State Senator I was a author on the Student Religious Liberties Act that was signed into law and protects students rights to prayer even in public school. I was a co-author on numerous bills protecting life, the Second Amendment, protecting individual liberties, limiting the scope and power of government, reducing taxes and cutting wasteful spending. For my efforts I was awarded the following... "Award for Conservative Excellence" by the American Conservative Union "Business Champion, Best for Job Creation" by BIPEC "Best for Small Business" by NFIB "A+ Rating" by the National Rifle Association "Top 45 Republican Women in the Nation" by the Republican National Security Council "Legislator of the Year" by the MS Tourism Association
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I served as a State Senator from 2012 - 2015. During that time I served as the Senate Forestry Chairman and was a co-founder to the Senate Conservative Coalition. I actively participated in numerous working groups with other legislators, think tanks and other industry and elected leaders to seek better alternatives to many of the problems facing Mississippi. Numerous bills coming out of these discussions were signed into law. As a Senator I worked extensively with local elected leader to help solve local problems from infrastructure to school safety as well we aggressively worked to further develop the oil and gas industry in Southwest Mississippi. We also worked to expand tourism opportunities in Mississippi. Prior to being elected I played an active role in developing policies that benefited agriculture and rural Mississippi.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
melaniesojourner@gmail.com 601-334-6729
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
It was an honor to previously serve my home district and Mississippi. As the first Republican elected in Senate District 37 I am proud of the record of accomplishments made by working with so many local leaders and individuals in our district. Yet, I know there is so much more that we can be done. We must make improving the economy and allowing for greater job creation in Southwest Mississippi a priority. It would be an honor to serve again and work on making Mississippi a better place to live and work for our future generations.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
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
