Neil C. Parrott
Republican | Maryland
Candidate Profile*
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Neil C. Parrott
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 6
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Maryland College Park, College Park, Civil Engineering, 1994
Mount Saint Mary's University, Emmitsburg, MBA, 2006
WORK & MILITARY
Traffic Solutions, Inc., President and CEO, 21
City of Frederick, Deputy Director of Public Works for Engineering, 1
Maryland State Highway Administration, Traffic Engineering Team Leader, 12
AFFILIATIONS
Hagerstown Area Summer Swimming, Co-Founder and Head Coach, Trail Life USA
Past Committee Chair, MDPetitions.com, Founder and Past Chair
Hagerstown Tea Party, Founder and Past President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Maryland State Delegate, 12
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
US Congress, 2020
US Congress, 2022
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (10)
Family Research Council Action PAC
*Club for Growth
Huck PAC
National Right To Life
HSLDA Action PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Gordana Schifanalli, 2022 Lt. Gov. Candidate
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
House Freedom Fund (2024)
WinRed (2024)
Club for Growth (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (34)
American Conservative Union (2024)
Andrew Harris (2024)
Berney Flowers (2024)
Chesapeake PAC (2024)
Citizens United (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
Key votes from Vote Smart
Neil Parrott completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Life is valuable from conception to end of life. Life needs to be respected and protected. The Declaration of Independence indicates that, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness -That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men.” Exceptions would include the life of the mother, rape, and incest.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
Most of these decisions should be left to the states based on the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Having said that, at the federal level partial birth abortion was outlawed in 2003. Other late term abortion laws should also be evaluated by Congress with action taken in extreme cases where there is a large consensus.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
The federal government must balance the budget and stop borrowing so much that the dollar becomes devalued, cutting the wealth of families. In addition, moving toward a flat tax where we simplify the tax code would create a more fair tax system.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
In the City of Frederick, I defended a 10 Commandments Monument by working with others and won. It is still there today. The true meaning of the "Separation of Church and State" as was written from a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Church. He wrote to indicate that the church would be free of state intrusion, and that there shouldn't be an official state church. Public officials, teachers, coaches, and students should all be free live out their faith.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Reasonable accommodations can be made. People need to be able to freely live out there faith without being coerced to go against their religion under the threat of losing their jobs. We have a Bill of Rights where the very first part of the first article states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." To force someone to violate their religion to keep their job is out of step with our Founding Fathers intentions.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
With regard to the Covid-19 vaccination, I am completely opposed to any attempt to mandate the vaccination by any entity. Instead, the government should be transparent to the public about the benefits and side effects of the shot.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
D is ideal, but C is more practical. The Affordable Care Act is anything but affordable. Since passing, health insurance, health care, and prescription drug costs skyrocketed. The quality of care has also degraded; when did you last see a real doctor instead of a PA? The health care system is unstable, especially for individuals and small companies needing insurance. Our country can do better by repealing and replacing Obamacare by using free market solutions like allowing cross-state plans.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
B. The US should become involved when our national interests are at stake.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Israel is the only Democratic Republic in the region, and is a close ally. In addition, as a Christian, I believe Genesis 12:3 where it says that nations who bless Israel will be blessed.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
Woke leftist policies that weaken our military and are unattractive to true patriots who really want to help our country.
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?
Existing immigration laws need to be followed. Lack of immigration enforcement and a porous southern border have led to suffering from gangs like MS 13 who terrorize our District, opioid and fentanyl deaths, and increased human trafficking. Sanctuary cities need to be stopped, the border wall needs to be constructed, and companies who take advantage of illegal aliens should be heavily fined.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
VALUES
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
In Maryland, I worked against their same-sex marriage law as a member of the legislature. I then successfully led the referendum effort to stop their same-sex marriage law. Unfortunately, I wasn't involved with the actual ballot campaign and the people of Maryland voted to approve same-sex marriage.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a bible believing Christian where the bible informs my worldview. I believe that God established a set of universal truths and natural laws. One of those natural laws is the intrinsic value in, and importance of, hard work. When humans are unable to work, or enjoy the benefits of their work, they lose their sense of purpose and meaning. Socialism, a form of government that does not allow people to keep what they earned, will never be effective or appropriate. Just like one cannot defy gravity, one cannot defy God’s order in nature. A governments laws then need to agree with the natural laws to be truly successful. John Locke indicated this when he says that, "no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions."
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
As a Maryland State Delegate, I introduced legislation for several years that would require voter ID in Maryland.
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
I believe that we need to return to what Martin Luther King, Jr. said when he indicated that, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." We need to stop focusing on race and start focusing on what unites us. CRT instruction does just the opposite. It pits one group against another and teaches institutional racism. This teaching must be completely rejected.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
In Maryland, I fought against Maryland's 'bathroom bill' that allowed men to go into girls bathrooms. I worked with many others to try to stop the bill by taking it to referendum, but people had a hard time believing the truth of this threat in 2014 and signatures came slowly until people started to wake up, but it was too late to successfully gather enough signatures.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I am an engineer & believe a combination of energy sources should be used based on economic viability. Hydro-electric works in Niagra Falls, windmills in Texas, clean coal in West Virginia, natural gas, & nuclear. Fusion power shows future promise.
ABOUT YOU
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?
Very Conservative
CPAC rates votes for each Maryland Delegate. I have a very high 93% lifetime score, the highest of any of the candidates running for the CD 6 Congressional Seat.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I believe Rom.13:1-7 describes governments main purpose. "There is no authority except that which God has established….Rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong….The one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." The government is there to protect our life, liberty, and property by executing judgement.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
For the most part, people need to be able to exercise their 2nd Amendment Rights to keep and bear arms. Exceptions to this would be for people who have a criminal history who would pose a threat if they had a firearm or who have a verified mental illness that would make them a risk to have a firearm.
