Dion Bergeron
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Dion Bergeron
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General & Special CD 2
Race
State Rep., Dist. 9
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Ivy Tech, Michigan City, IN, 2002
W.P. Davidson High School, Mobile, IN, GED, 1992
Elston High School, Michigan City, IN, 1990
WORK & MILITARY
Self Employment, Real Estate Agent/Broker, 5
Indiana DOC - Indiana State Prison, Correctional Officer, 7
Various Companies, Truck Driver/Trainer, 10
AFFILIATIONS
USCCA, Member, LaPorte County Republican Party
Member, Michigan City Humane Society, Volunteer
Fried's Cat Shelter, Volunteer, Junior Achievement
Class President, NRA, Lifetime Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Jim Pressel (2020)
Mike Bohacek (2020)
WinRed (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Only to save the life of the mother (i.e. ectopic pregnancies, etc). That said, we need to expand and improve adoption services, pre-natal care, and invest in education (especially for single parent teens and youth).
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
I have watched family members die a prolonged and agonizing death from cancer. They could have avoided that with laws that allow them to pass peacefully and with dignity.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I'm for lower taxes across the board, with closing of some tax loopholes for large corporations. Small businesses and families are struggling while mega corporations pay little to no tax (i.e. Amazon).
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Over 50% of the state budget goes to k-12 education. I'm a proponent of public schools, but vast amounts of that money are being used in administration, while teachers have to buy their own supplies and are underpaid. That's just one example of a system that needs a strong look and some serious tweaks. There are many areas where countless tax dollars are wasted in inefficient ways. The double track project in Northwest Indiana is another prime example. Around a billion dollars of our money going to Chicago and other Illinois-based construction companies.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
College isn't for everyone. Trade jobs are hurting and understaffed badly. College tuition rates and loan rates need serious change. If we suddenly funded College for everyone, we'd just go further into debt.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never. That said, if the church is breaking the law and hurting people (example- performing human sacrifice or other actual crimes) then the proper authorities should respond, investigate, and act accordingly. Freedom of religion is broad but not limitless. It's why certain Caribbean religions that normally involve ritual sacrifice are limited and have to follow certain rules and regulations. The POTENTIAL for harm (ex. Coronavirus pandemic) is NOT a reason to close churches. Period.
HEALTHCARE
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C. I do believe that the health care industry needs some serious work, but putting the government in control of our health care is a bad idea. We constantly see stories of abuse and neglect under government run health care systems (including Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA). It's not going to magically get better if it's expanded to include everyone.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
There should always be exemptions allowed. A close family member has an immunological condition that prevents them from receiving certain vaccinations. This is a prime example of allowed exemption. Unfortunately, there are no protections currently and they can be forced to vaccinate or prevented from attending/employment, despite the very real risk to them.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We should work with our allies, utilize intelligence services, and not leave billions of dollars in equipment and weapons behind when the dementia patient allegedly in charge of our country decides to pack up and leave Afghanistan. That would be a good start. Oh, and stop training and outfitting terrorists.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Disagree
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?
We need major changes and updates to our immigration policies and procedures. Anyone wanting to come to this country should be willing to assimilate into our culture. If they aren't loyal to this country they shouldn't be here.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I fully support a parent's choice to choose what is best for their child.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Without morality, there is no reason to protect the innocent, have laws, or otherwise defend the weak from the strong.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Neutral
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm a Christian. I believe in one Creator, who sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins. I also believe that while we should always strive to help others and spread the message of our Lord and Savior, it is ultimately up to each individual how and whether to worship. It is not on us to judge. I can disagree with your lifestyle and choices, but it isn't up to me to shame or denigrate you for them. You have the right to live however you choose because of free will.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
In Indiana, the real issue we presently have with our election system (that can be easily addressed) is with mail in ballots. There is currently no way to verify the signatures on them, as the court ruled that election administrators are not signature experts and therefore cannot verify the signature belongs to the ballot holder. This opens up the potential for fraud. I would also strive to do away with voting machines that did not have paper verification and backup.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a threat only because it has been weapons zed by the media and political figures. We all deserve equal rights and equal access to opportunities.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A (with explanation) Some laws and regulations are critically important. If left to their own devices, we know that some companies will blatantly destroy the environment with no regard for consequences. It is necessary for some degree of regulation to ensure that we have recourse when this happens.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To do what individual citizens and neighborhood groups cannot. Defense, social services (to a degree), and administration.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
There are hundreds of videos on my YouTube channel and I've been on WIMS radio, 96.7 the Eagle, WJOB in Hammond during the 2020 election. There are also multiple Candidate Interviews that I've done that have been uploaded online. 4 Vote411 and League of Women Voters, Porter County and Duneland Chamber of Commerce, along with The News Dispatch and the Herald Argus newspapers.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I'm a former trucker and former Correctional Officer. I'm a Cajun by birth and Hoosier by choice. I want to put US back in charge of our government. It's time to take this country back from the out of touch political elites that have run it into the ground. I'm open, transparent, and easily reachable. I do a Live Stream on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter that anyone can join in and talk directly to me. I answer your questions in real time and address you directly rather than through carefully worded press releases.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
Qualified immunity should be in place as long as the officer follows policy. If the policy is wrong then that's what suits against the department are for. Qualified immunity allows an officer to do their job without being dragged into court every other day.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
While we should absolutely be helping to raise awareness and support for mental illness, the answer is not to defund the police.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
There are thousands of gun laws on the books already. Criminals don't care about laws. I am a strong proponent of our right to bear arms. I will ALWAYS defend our ability to defend ourselves.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
