Cory Branham
Republican | Ohio
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Cory Branham
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 22
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, MA, 2019
Ashford, Clinton, IA, BA, 2015
Community College, Maxwell, AL, AAS, 2011
WORK & MILITARY
United States Air Force, Airman - Technical Sergeant (TSgt), 2007-2018
Professional Certificate, Management, 2018
Joint Military Leadership, Senior Enlisted Academy, 2018
AFFILIATIONS
Ontario Christian Church, Member and Teacher, Minot Church of Christ
Member and Teacher, Air Force Association, Life Member
Military National Honor Society, Member/Inductee, Air Force Outstanding Airmen of the Year
Class of 2012 Inductee, Military Professional Development Committee, President
Christ's Mission Church, Member, Museum of the Bible
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Boots of Recovery
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Boots of Recovery
Bikers for Trump Ohio
Taylor Steamer
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?
I am the second child to a teenage mother in high school. If not for her religious convictions, I may very well have been aborted. Combine that backstory with my faith, and you may understand why I am pro-life. I have tried my best to live a life worthy of my mother's choice and I hope I am just one of many cases that could have gone the other way. I am aware of the arguments for and against cases which involve rape, incest, and life of the mother. However, I do not believe that these extreme cases should be used as the general standard to promote abortion. Abortion should not be "the answer" to other crimes. Standards of punishment for those other crimes should be enforced and elevated. Abortion is reactive, it is time to be proactive!
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would support legislation that limited members of the Appropriations Committee to a total of 6 years, allowing fresh eyes and input on government spending. Give the public online access to all bills at the state and federal level, for at least 5 days, before a bill is voted on. This would give the public reasonable time to educate themselves, and reach out to their elected officials to voice opinions and concern. Enforce a, at minimum, 1 for 1 incoming-to-outgoing process for government
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.
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?
This does NOT mean that the Church should be 100% absent in state affairs. In fact, George Washington believed a government without Christian values would fail. This is simply an expression that means the government cannot force a specific religion on citizens, or have control of a religion, like English Monarchs have control of the Anglican Church. We live in a nation founded on Christian teachings and values. I live by these values myself. My Christian values are what call me into the role of a public servant, and encourage me to stand up and defend those who cannot do so for themselves. I am not here to force my views on anyone but all should know that my views on the Church tell me to love and care for all in this county, district, state, nation, and beyond. This expression is used out of context and intent on a daily basis. Recent attempts to incorporate sharia law in our government would be a breach of this principle, saying "under God" in the Pledge would not.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Continue to support the President's efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as "ObamaCare." Also, I would support a cut in state and federally funded healthcare to illegal aliens. The disabled, displaced, under-employed, seasonal and in-transition workers should continue to have access to subsidies on a case-by-case basis. Permanent disabilities may only need a one-time evaluation. I would help bring permanent jobs back to Richland County and District 22 by approving tax incentives for new businesses, big and small, cutting red tape regulations, and by keeping government jobs and spending in check. Permanent jobs will lead to more access to healthcare coverage.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
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
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
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who go through the required legal process as detailed in US law and regulations. Legitimate cases of asylum should be vetted and admitted on a case-by-case basis. Emergency situations, such as ethnic, cultural, and religious genocide (like we have seen in the Near and Middle East recently), should receive federal government attention as part of US Foreign Policy. If emergency immigration is warranted, placements should be agreed to by state governments. Resources currently being used to the benefit, sometimes cost-free, of illegal aliens could and should be used to support the homeless, displaced, in-transition, and under-employed in communities throughout our nation.
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a practicing Christian and current member of a congregation in Ontario, Ohio. I am an unpaid, volunteer member of our teaching, community outreach, and preaching ministries. I believe that the figure recorded as Jesus, in the Biblical New Testament, is the Son of God, the Savior. I have put my faith and future in that belief and will continue to do so. That belief tells me to love my neighbors, family, and even those who dislike and oppose me. I respect all people as being made in the image of God and value their lives, opinions, and needs. All life has value and I will defend that value to the utmost of my abilities as a Christian and a Senator. To deepen my spiritual understanding, I pursued a seminary degree. Graduating in 2018 from Liberty University with a Masters Degree in Theology, with a Biblical Studies concentration.
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.
For general information on my religious beliefs and affiliation, voters can visit: http://aschurch.org/beliefs/ (The Cory Branham for Ohio Senate Campaign did not create, influence, or edit this site. The site is in the public domain)
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I graduated from county school, Plymouth High. I hold 4 college degrees, a professional management certification, and a teaching license, across a variety of fields. A History and Political Science degree is the obvious answer in terms of educational qualifications for office. However, I must admit that my Masters Degree in Theology and Biblical Studies is as, if not more, relevant to me than the formal training in Politics. My faith guides all that I do and provides the convictions that I operate under in all things, which will include this office. I recently put myself back through school to take economy, history, political science, and education classes at Ashland University to re-engage these areas with 2019-2020 expertise. Also, I have attended multiple leadership academies. Graduating with honors multiple times, including recognition as (peer and staff nominated & voted) #1 overall graduate.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
I have never committed, been charged with or convicted of any felony or sexual misconduct in my life.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I watched my parents put themselves through school to better the lives of my 6 siblings and I. I understand hard work, dedication, and sacrifice for the common and greater good, I have from my youth. I served our nation with honor and distinction, for 11 years, and will do the same for our community, county, district, and state. My wife and I have 2 young daughters that we are raising in the area right now. We are invested, and in touch, with needs of infants through great-great grandparents If you want a career politician, I am NOT your candidate. If you want someone who has thrived under pressure and beat the odds over the course of a lifetime, I AM your candidate. I will work hard for this area, and all people in it, whether I receive their vote or not. My role as your Senator will be to create a safe place for all of us, and one where all people have a real pathway to succeed in life. That begins be upholding freedoms and bringing back jobs!
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am pro-second amendment, a proud gun owner and hunter, and a military marksman. One of my firearms was passed to me from my late-grandfather and I appreciate our country's gun owning heritage. Citizens with a history of violent crime, alcohol and/or drug abuse, and mental illness should continue to have restrictions on their ability to own guns. Law abiding citizens should be able to own and use guns for sport, hobby, and recreation as they see fit.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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?
I would sponsor and support legislation that protects religious liberty. I would sponsor and support legislation that aids pro-life organizations and adoption agencies. I would sponsor and support legislation that offers incentives to small and large businesses coming to Ohio, Richland County, and the 22nd District, by cutting government spending and red tape regulations, and supporting term limits. Richland County is represented by a businessman, yet has the worst unemployment in the distric
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Unfortunately, racism still exists. As a society, I believe we are improving in this area and that it is not the major threat to domestic security. Anyone practicing racism is doing so at their own risk and it will likely lead to their failure. By this I mean that, for example, if a business owner refuses to employee those of a different race, they are losing the heterogeneous perspective that makes modern establishments thrive in our multi-cultural society. Do race tensions exist? Certainly. But we are at a place where a variety of peoples can, and do, share this great nation in communities large and small. Peaceful, loving, interactions happen every day between races and religions but get little news coverage. Peaceful race relations are the norm, not the exception. I have worked with people from all over the world first-hand. I appreciate and understand modern cultural dynamics and will promote them to the best of my abilities.
