Matt Gurtler
Republican | Georgia
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matt Gurtler
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 9
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, BA History, 2012
WORK & MILITARY
National RIfle Association, Certified Firearms Instructor, 5
R.O.T.C., Private First Class, 2
AFFILIATIONS
National RIfle Association, Member, Young Americans for Liberty
Member, Georgia Gun Owners, Life Member
Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Alumni, Helen First Baptist
Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Georgia State Representative House District 8, 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2019
71%, 76% (cum.)†
2018
75%
2019
63%
2019
|71%, 76% (cum.)†
2019
|63%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (4)
*Constitutional Grassroots Movement
FreedomWorks for America
Rand Paul
Thomas Massie
OTHER (1)
Protect Freedom PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
US Senator Rand Paul
FreedomWorks
RANDPAC
Protect Freedom PAC
Liberty for US PAC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
National Federation of Republican Assemblies (2018)
State Republican Party Organizations (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
American Federation For Children (2018)
Butch Miller (2017)
Clay Pirkle (2016)
Ed Setzler (2016)
Ken Pullin (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (2018)
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
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?
Life is precious no matter the circumstance, and should be protected.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure 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
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
We need to keep our commitment to everyone who was forced to pay into the system but individuals should be allowed to opt-out of the system and take personal responsibility for their retirement.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Drastically cut or eliminate spending, that is not the proper role of the federal government, like the Department of Education, and return that to the states and the people. That alone would save $70-80+ billion / year.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
None, personal responsibility is paramount, and is the backbone of our country.
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
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 state should not tell churches and religious people what they can and cannot do in the practice of their beliefs. It also means one religion or another shouldn't have their beliefs codified in law like some proponents of Sharia law. Like Jefferson said, it is not a separation of God and government, morality based ones own conscious has it place in government.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Get the government out of the healthcare industry which will reduce prices drastically. Open up the free market and let doctors and technology innovate.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
Uphold the values and principles that America was founded upon, peace, liberty & free markets and protect Americans.
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
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Strongly Agree
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Law abiding individuals who go through the legal process.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly 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.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm a Christian and I believe Jesus died and rose from the dead to redeem mankind.
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 been named the "Most Conservative Legislator in Georgia" by the Georgia Republican Assembly a Conservative Grassroots Group “One of the most, if not the most Republican legislator in Georgia.” - AJC.com Capitol Recap 4/20/18 “Georgia’s Most Pro-Gun Representative Matt Gurtler Announces Run for Congress.” - Second Amendment Daily 2/13/20
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Matt Gurtler is a two-term State Representative, elected in 2016 and represents House District 8, located in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains, which includes Union, Towns, Rabun & White counties. He and his wife Marissa live in Tiger, Georgia with their newborn daughter Olivia. Outside of his role as a statesman Matt is also a home builder, specializing in house moving, foundation repair, and custom homes with his family’s business. Matt is also a National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor, and an avid outdoorsman, who enjoys target shooting, hiking, traveling, and building those scary black AR15 rifles… Matt was raised in Rabun County, he is a Christian, 1 of 5 children and was homeschooled, graduating one year early at age 17, and has been a member of Republican Party since 2007. Matt attended the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Georgia where he participated in R.O.T.C. and received his B.A. in History with a minor in Sociology.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Gun control laws only serve to help criminals and disarm law-abiding citizens. So-called “gun free” zones should be renamed “criminal safe” zones as they strip individuals of their right to defend themselves, their family, their friends and their neighbors against those who wish to do harm. The second amendment was drafted to ensure the American people could defend themselves against a tyrannical government. The founding fathers understood self-defense was a natural right.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
No Answer
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Upholding Second Amendment Rights Taxes (cutting taxes & eliminating the income tax/IRS) Regulation & Spending (lifting rep tape & closing things that are not the proper role of government)
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a specific type of evil and is always wrong. America is the most diverse country in the world and the vast majority of Americans call out racism when they see it.
