Joe Reynolds
Republican | South Carolina
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joe Reynolds
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Senator
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
US Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY, BS, 1987
WORK & MILITARY
US Naval Reserve, Lieutenant, 6
AFFILIATIONS
Evening of Prayer Food Ministry, Dishwasher, Shifa Clinic Food Boxes
Delivery, USMMA Alumni Association, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
No Answer
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?
First trimester; also in circumstances where health of the mother is at risk.
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
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
There is no solution that does not involve Democrats and Republicans working together. Currently we do not have the right people who would work hard at the solution. Any solution is going to involve some means testing and modest revenue adjustments. There are only politicians in Washington, not leaders. It's time we got to work.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Social security and Medicare should be paid for through their own funding streams. Currently payroll funded. The remaining budget should be capped. If our revenues go up 4% we should not spend an extra 8% on defense, and an extra 7% on discretionary spending. If our revenues go up 4% then we can only raise budgets -- across the line -- by 3.5%. During a recession there can be deficit spending.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
None.
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.
No Answer
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Disagree
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?
We should not impose our religion on others. All people should be free to observe their religion. There should be no state sponsored religion.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
No Answer
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
The states should be allowed to move toward instituting policies that bring more healthcare to people. These can be work rules, or automatic registration, among many. In addition, states should allow citizens the right to petition to expand Medicaid. States should be allowed to expand to 100% of poverty level. Reinsurance has been a proven success at bringing down the costs of premiums. The goal is 100% coverage, and I believe states should have flexibility to do things their way, as long as they want to expand coverage.
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?
Maintain alliances and agreements with likeminded nations and share valuable information. Disinvest ourself from Saudi Arabia, and begin to remove US protections for that country.
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
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.
Disagree
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Legal immigration is the cornerstone of our country. We should encourage overseas students to stay for two years after graduation to work in America, and then offer them the opportunity to apply for green card and citizenship. Not all entries should be purely for our benefit -- i.e doctors, nurses, careworkers, entrepreneurs -- there should also be room in this nation for people of good faith and decent work ethic to be invited legally and allowed to flourish. We should expand our refugee immigration. Illegal immigration should be discouraged by border best practices, which can be some fencing, some drones, or other technology in remote places. We should encourage migrant farmworkers to come, and if there is no blot on their record, after 5 years offer them a green card. We should discourage any business or enterprise from hiring any illegal workers. All workers should be verified that they are legal citizens.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Disagree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
No Answer
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Catholic. But I have had concerns with the Catholic church abuse scandal. I believe priests should be allowed to marry, and that female priests should be allowed to serve. These views are currently not mainstream in the Catholic hierarchy.
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?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
See www. reynolds2020.com
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?
I'm a Chief Engineer. When the ship breaks in the middle of the ocean I don't say 'maybe next election we'll get to it'. Our Congress does not work because we do not have the right people up there. They are good at getting elected but not very good at anything else. You have to put a gun to their heads to get them off their sofas. We have too many people who have been up there too long, wandering the halls asking what is for lunch. It's time we have people like engineers who are driven to solutions, not personal ambition. Congress should be an ethical place where you are honored to serve your country, not feather your nest.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Extreme risk protection orders have been working in many states. Any flaws should be corrected. The federal government can help in assisting states. But I am a firm believer that the states should come up with their individual rules. Universal background checks should be implemented. Weapons such as the AR-15 should be age restricted. Ban bump stocks.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Agree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
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. Constitutional amendment for term limits for Senate 2. Ethics rule banning fundraising while the Senate is in session. The work week is for constituents, not fundraising. 3. Medicare price negotiation. 4. A new oath of office for members stating that they will not be lobbyists, consultants, paid speakers, paid television pundits, or anything else that means they have gained financially from their positions.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Some people are a threat. I would not say there is a general threat.
