
Scott McKnight
Republican | Louisiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Scott McKnight
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
Primary
Race
State Treasurer
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
LSU, Baton Rouge, Bachelor's, 2003
LSU, Baton Rouge, MBA, 2006
WORK & MILITARY
East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, Reserve Deputy, 8 years
AFFILIATIONS
East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, Reserve Deputy, Cancer Services of Baton Rouge
Board Member, Companion Animal Alliance, Board Member
Better Business Bureau, Board Member, Woman's Hospital Foundation
Board Member, Association of Builders and Contractors, Board Member
Louisiana Arts and Science Museum, Board Member, World Broker's Network
North American Steering Committee Member, Coastal Conservation Association, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative-District 68, 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Louisiana State Senate, 2015
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2022
100%, 100% (cum.)†
2020-2021
100%
2023
91%
2022
77%, 79% (cum.)†
2022
|100%, 100% (cum.)†
2020-2021
|100%
2023
|91%
2022
|77%, 79% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Jefferson Parish Republicans
East Feliciana Republican Executive Committee
OTHER (1)
GNOR PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Greater New Orleans Republican PAC
Jefferson Parish Republican Executive Committee
East Feliciana Republican Executive Committee
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Stephen Dwight (2020)
Steve Carter (2020)
State Republican Party Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (17)
Bishop PAC (2023)
Brach Myers (2023)
Dixon McMakin (2023)
Franklin Foil (2023)
Jacob Landry (2023)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Edwin Edwards (2019)
OTHER INFORMATION
One of 69 Republicans who voted to override Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards’s veto and reinstate House Bill 648 called the “Stop Harming Our Kids Act,” which shields children from life-altering sex-change procedures. Source: HB648 (la.gov)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None, I am 100% Pro-life.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Louisiana needs a new tax code that is simple, predictable, and sustainable. That is the best way to attract businesses to our state.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Louisiana requires a balanced budget but that doesn't mean there isn't waste, fraud and abuse in state government funded budgets. I believe every department should be audited on an annual basis to ensure that our tax dollars are being used effectively and efficiently.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
I believe in a public option for K-12 students and a merit-based public option for collegiate in-state students.
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 can government close churches?
There is no circumstance a government should the ability to close churches.
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 option. (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 no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
COVID vaccines should not be mandatory, ever. When it comes to standard vaccinations for public services like school, there should always be a health and religious exemption.
NATIONAL SECURITY
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
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?
Only those who immigrate legally.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which 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
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a devout Catholic. My faith is instrumental in how I try to live my daily life.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
We must always find new ways to make our elections more secure and ensure that only eligible voters participate in elections. This could be accomplished through multiple methods including strengthening voter identification requirements, strengthening voter roll maintenance and yearly election audits. As a legislator, I have supported multiple election integrity bills and will continue to support any measures that strengthens and secures our elections.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I believe that racism exists, but I do not believe it is a direct threat to domestic security. However, actions such as hate crimes and discriminatory practices could potentially be a direct 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) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The general purpose of government is to serve its people and ensure that all that it governs has fair access to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2022/06/09/gop-representative-scott-knight-running-louisiana-treasurer/7567752001/
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?
I have worked in the financial services industry for over 25 years, and I currently manage over $1 billion in annual premium revenue. I have a heart for service - it's why I served as an reserve East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Deputy for 10 years. I also served in the legislature, working to manage the state's budget during my term. I believe my professional experience as a businessman and my political experience as a State Representative make me the most qualified person for this job.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Further gun restrictions would potentially infringe upon personal liberties and lead to a slippery slop of further government intervention in people's lives.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Gambling should be limited to existing forms and should not be de-regulated or expanded.
Neutral
Children should be protected from sexualization on the internet, in public schools, and in the public libraries
Strongly Agree
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