Richard Nelson
Republican | Louisiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Richard Nelson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2019
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist 89
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Baton Rouge, J.D., 2010
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, B.S. Biological Engineering, 2007
Mandeville High School, Mandeville, H.S. Diploma, 2004
WORK & MILITARY
PMOLink, LLC, Executive Vice President, 2.5
Foreign Service, U.S. Department of State, Security Engineering Officer, 7
AFFILIATIONS
LSU Dept of Biological Eng Advisory Council, Vice-Chair, Pelican Park
Head T-Ball Coach, Christ Episcopal Church Covington, Member
Committee for a Better New Orleans, Bryan Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum Graduate, Northshore Republican Men's Club
Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
N/A
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
N/A
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Former Louisiana House Speaker Jim Tucker
Former Congressman Bob Livingston
Associate Builders and Contractors Merit PAC
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?
An abortion should only be allowed when the life of the mother is at risk or when the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.
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
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
The best way to bring down unemployment is to expand free market capitalism. Government restrictions of free markets in the form of taxes, unnecessary licenses, and regulations limit the ability of workers to find jobs and for companies to invest and grow.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Government should provide a fair justice system, an adequate system of education for its citizens, support for public works such as infrastructure and basic research, and protection for its citizens. These services should be funded by low and stable taxation. I don't believe that the government should spend taxpayer money solely for the goal of "boosting the economy" and or generally for the benefit of individuals or companies. A system of limited government will lead to the greatest benefit for everyone and the most freedom for all citizens to achieve their potential.
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
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Neutral
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?
Healthcare needs less government involvement and more exposure to the competitive forces of the market to drive down costs and increase quality. We need more competition in the health insurance market to reduce premiums and more flexibility for insurers to offer plans tailored to the needs of customers. Finally, we need to give incentives for healthcare providers to focus on value-based care that rewards them for keeping people healthy as opposed to charging per interaction.
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 the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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
EDUCATION
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
The LGBTQ+ political agenda poses a threat to First Amendment freedoms of speech, expression and religious exercise.
Strongly Agree
I support expanding protections in employment and accommodations based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Strongly Disagree
If children are given instruction in sex education in public schools, it should not express a preference for abstinence but should be comprehensive, offering discussions on various types of sexual orientations and behaviors plus all types of contraceptives.
Strongly Disagree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
The Founders understood that leaders/governments continually seek to increase their power over the people they govern. In order to protect the liberty of the citizens, the Founders created a federal government with only defined powers divided among competing branches, so that no one branch can become too powerful. They also divided power between federal and state governments to further protect the rights of the people against oppressive government.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have always been a Christian. I was raised Lutheran, attend an Episcopal Church, and send my children to a Lutheran Preschool run by my mother. I believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, crucified and resurrected. I try every day to follow his teachings to love God and love my neighbor as myself. I believe that Christ commands leaders not to lord over the people, but to serve them.
ABOUT YOU
I voted in these elections:
No Answer
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Social Media Profiles
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am an engineer and attorney, so I am a trained problem solver with experience as an advocate and negotiator. I served for seven years as an officer and diplomat in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State where I was responsible for protecting embassies around the world from terrorism and espionage. I have worked in over 30 countries, four continents, multiple war zones and lived in Washington, D.C., Germany, and the Republic of Georgia. I have managed a $60 Million+ program with over 120 employees and projects all over the world. Now, as Vice President of PMOLink, I help everyone from billion dollar companies to small local firms manage their most difficult projects. I have a solid understanding of policy, law, economics, government, have managed many multi-million projects. I am committed to improving the community where I grew up and where my wife and I are raising our three boys.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
contact@nelsonforla.com; 985-377-9845
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a Mandeville native, and Eagle Scout, and Valedictorian of Mandeville High. I am running because I care about our state, and I want to make sure we seize this opportunity to realize its full potential.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Strongly Disagree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Gambling should be limited to existing forms and should not be de-regulated or expanded.
Disagree
