Mark Huizenga
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Huizenga
Party
Republican
Election Year
2021
Election
Special Primary
Race
Senate Dist. 28
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Masters, 1996
Calvin University, Grand Rapids, BA, 1990
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Salvation Army, Advisory Board, Grandville Walker Community Foundation
Advisory Board, Grand Valley Metro Council, Board of Directors
Interurban Transit Partnership - The Rapid, Board of Trustees, Michigan Conservative Energy Forum
Board President, Health Development International, Board President
Calvin Christian School Education Foundation, Board President, Asthma Network of West Michigan
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Mayor - City of Walker, 2013 - 2018
City Commissioner - Walker, 2011- 2013
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2019-2020
100%
2019-20
87%, 81% (cum.)â€
2019
75%, 75% (cum.)â€
2018
75%
2019-2020
|100%
2019-20
|87%, 81% (cum.)â€
2019
|75%, 75% (cum.)â€
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2019
|0%
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Right to Life of Michigan
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Superintendent Michael Schibler - Rockford
Mayor Gary Carey - Walker
Supervisor Stephen Grimm - Cannon Township
Councilman Justin Noordhoek - Grandville
Councilman Kent VanderWood - Wyoming
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (7)
Greg VanWoerkom (2018)
Moving Michigan Forward Fund (2018)
Peter MacGregor (2016)
Rick Snyder (2014)
Rob VerHeulen (2014)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (16)
Advancing Michigan (2018)
Central Michigan Conservative Leadership Fund (2018)
Chatfield Majority Fund (2020)
Frankenmuth PAC (2020)
Great Lakes Education Project (2020)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
League Of Conservation Voters (2020)
Sheet Metal Workers International 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.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am 100% pro life, Each new life is sacred, the only time one could consider abortion is in the event that a mothers life is in danger.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Neutral
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I have always voted for and supported a fully balanced budget for the State of Michigan. Michigan is constitutionally obligated to have a balanced budget. As far as reduced spending for the federal budget I would target overtly liberal spending practices, which do not empower freedom, independence and the ability work to best of ones ability.
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.
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?
Separation of church and state is always complex as our nation was founded on Christian principles supported by the church. What this phrase and public policy idea means to me is freedom of religion and freedom from having the freedom of religion oppressed unduly by the state. We must seek good in this world but we can not be expected to do that if the state stands in the way of that good.
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?
Compared to the other candidates in this race I have by far the most experience in the healthcare industry through my private sector experience. I have extensive knowledge on health policy and deep understanding of both health insurance and hospital billing and coding (I am the former director of pediatric practices at Spectrum Health DeVos Children's Hospital and have worked as a health care consultant for 20+ years. I would seek to remove government barriers to affordable health care. The private sector is much better at providing needed services to the public than the government.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly 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.
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?
We should support legal immigration policies supported by the administration of George W. Bush. If we can support the legal immigration system while, at the same time doing everything in our power to stop illegal immigration our nation will remain strong.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
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 member of LaGrave CRC and am a lifelong member of the Christian Reformed Church. I have been saved and I espouse the teaching found in the holy bible each and every day of my life. As for a direct belief statement I would point you toward the Heidelberg Catechism. I am a Sunday school teacher in my church and teach 9th and 10th grade.
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.
My voting record reflects my conservative credentials. When faced with a choice between conservative or no conservative I chose conservative every time regardless of issue area. Whether it be social, economic, or political issues I know that my faith leads me to conservatism. I have a strong voting record in the Michigan House of Representatives, and my work as the Mayor of Walker, I facilitated regular meetings with Pastors in the community
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a BA in business from Calvin College and a Master in management from Aquinas College. In addition to being well educated in business practices and principles I also have the most diverse real world private business experience among the candidates in this race. I have served as a director of pediatric practices for Spectrum Health which is the second largest health provider in the State of Michigan. I have also served as business consultant to multiple health care entities nationwide.
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?
Michigan is at a crossroads. Either we follow the status quo or start a new path forward. A vote for Mark Huizenga means we can chart a path to a brighter more prosperous future together.
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.
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 do not support any new restriction on gun ownership. The Second Amendment is crystal clear and I will not act against the public's right to keep and bear arms.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1) I have played an integral role in drafting and passing the House version of the state budget since my election in 2018. My first priority will always be to produce a fiscally conservative, balanced state budget 2) Financial disclosure for elected officials. Michigan ranks dead last in government transparency. We need to change that and require financial disclosure by elected officials as those seeking office will help the public better know who represents them and allow them to be effective conflict of interest watch dogs. 3) HB 4649 and 4650 providing tax credits to employers that provide housing. We are in a house crisis in West Michigan where supply and future building plans are greatly outweighed by demand. Reducing government regulation on business owners and incentivizing them to help solve the shortage will provide stability in our region and allow for people to live, work, and raise a family here for generations to come.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is abhorrent, disgusting, sinful, and wrong. Allowing racism to run freely unchecked is a threat to our society. We need to stand up for what is right and condemn and disown what is wrong.
