Matt Laughridge
Republican | Georgia
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matt Laughridge
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 14
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Birmingham – Southern College, Birmingham, AL, BS, 2010
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Rotary Club, Member, Etowah Scholarship Foundation
Past Chairman, Volunteer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Sponsor
NRA, Donor, Republican Party
Donor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Barry Loudermilk (2016)
Jack Kingston (2014)
Nathan Deal (2014)
National Republican Congressional Committee (2017)
State Republican Party Organizations (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
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
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
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?
There is no circumstance that makes abortion ok, and I would support legislation that takes steps to prevent abortions similar to the restrictions in Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill. I also believe we need more pro-life conservative Supreme Court justices and federal judges like those appointed in record numbers by President Trump.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
There is no circumstance that makes abortion ok, and I would support legislation that takes steps to prevent abortions similar to the restrictions in Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill. I also believe we need more pro-life conservative Supreme Court justices and federal judges like those appointed in record numbers by President Trump.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
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?
I support creating worker-owned personal Social Security retirement accounts. SSDI also needs to be reformed for savings – half of cases aren’t even medical-related.
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
I support creating worker-owned personal Social Security retirement accounts. SSDI also needs to be reformed for savings – half of cases aren’t even medical-related.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Have the EPA stop spending money on “green energy research” and subsidies; let the private sector figure it out. There are layers of bureaucracy to cut in the EPA as well, and in other agencies. HUD can save if they stop housing active substance abusers. There are duplicative programs in the interior department we can consolidate & cut. Simplifying the tax code will bring down the IRS budget. In USAID, there are some ridiculous multi-million-dollar programs, cutting those will add up.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Have the EPA stop spending money on “green energy research” and subsidies; let the private sector figure it out. There are layers of bureaucracy to cut in the EPA as well, and in other agencies. HUD can save if they stop housing active substance abusers. There are duplicative programs in the interior department we can consolidate & cut. Simplifying the tax code will bring down the IRS budget. In USAID, there are some ridiculous multi-million-dollar programs, cutting those will add up.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
People who took loans should be responsible for paying them back, not taxpayers. There are steps the government can take to simplify loan repayment plans that would reduce the defaults that fall on taxpayers. We can also reduce the burden on taxpayers by limiting risky loans like Parent PLUS and forcing colleges to have skin in the game by holding institutions that take taxpayer funds partly accountable for defaulted loans.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
People who took loans should be responsible for paying them back, not taxpayers. There are steps the government can take to simplify loan repayment plans that would reduce the defaults that fall on taxpayers. We can also reduce the burden on taxpayers by limiting risky loans like Parent PLUS and forcing colleges to have skin in the game by holding institutions that take taxpayer funds partly accountable for defaulted loans.
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 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
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly 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
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?
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” That means keep government out of our Churches and protect religious freedom. The Founders were clear that God and the Christian values the country was built upon are needed in guiding our government and elected officials.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” That means keep government out of our Churches and protect religious freedom. The Founders were clear that God and the Christian values the country was built upon are needed in guiding our government and elected officials.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Repeal Obamacare. Eliminate bureaucracy and lift regulations to reduce the costs of both insurance and care. Increase price transparency to encourage shopping of care and empower patients. Get government out of the doctor-patient relationship.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Repeal Obamacare. Eliminate bureaucracy and lift regulations to reduce the costs of both insurance and care. Increase price transparency to encourage shopping of care and empower patients. Get government out of the doctor-patient relationship.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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?
Continue to seek out and crush known terrorists and their networks. Work with our allies in the Middle East to secure their borders from terrorists. Ensure all of our partners are contributing their fair share of forces and resources to stabilize the region. Keep terrorists out of America and never allow radical Islamic terrorism to gain an inch of ground here.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
Continue to seek out and crush known terrorists and their networks. Work with our allies in the Middle East to secure their borders from terrorists. Ensure all of our partners are contributing their fair share of forces and resources to stabilize the region. Keep terrorists out of America and never allow radical Islamic terrorism to gain an inch of ground here.
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
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
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
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.
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
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Strongly Agree
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?
We should have a merit-based immigration system that allows anyone who shares our values and does not wish to do us harm to immigrate here as long as they follow the rules to do so, while attracting those who can most contribute to our economy and society.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We should have a merit-based immigration system that allows anyone who shares our values and does not wish to do us harm to immigrate here as long as they follow the rules to do so, while attracting those who can most contribute to our economy and society.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
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
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.
Strongly Disagree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe Christ is my Lord and Savior. I believe all things are possible through Him, and I try to carry out my life and decisions through His guidance to the best of my ability.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe Christ is my Lord and Savior. I believe all things are possible through Him, and I try to carry out my life and decisions through His guidance to the best of my ability.
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
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.
As a political outsider, I’ve never served in office, but I have contributed thousands of dollars each to very conservative candidates and to organizations like the NRA. I was an early public supporter of the most conservative choices in primary elections, like Gov. Brian Kemp.
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
As a political outsider, I’ve never served in office, but I have contributed thousands of dollars each to very conservative candidates and to organizations like the NRA. I was an early public supporter of the most conservative choices in primary elections, like Gov. Brian Kemp.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
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?
President Trump needs allies who understand the real world like he does in order to get the tough jobs done. I’ve built businesses like President Trump. I’ve created jobs, negotiated better deals, gotten things done in the real world like Trump. And just like Trump, if you send me to Washington, I’m going to stand up for the hardworking, God-fearing people of Georgia against the corrupt Washington establishment and the left wing Socialist agenda of Nancy Pelosi and AOC.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
President Trump needs allies who understand the real world like he does in order to get the tough jobs done. I’ve built businesses like President Trump. I’ve created jobs, negotiated better deals, gotten things done in the real world like Trump. And just like Trump, if you send me to Washington, I’m going to stand up for the hardworking, God-fearing people of Georgia against the corrupt Washington establishment and the left wing Socialist agenda of Nancy Pelosi and AOC.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We don’t need any more restrictions on gun ownership. 2nd Amendment rights need to be protected and actually strengthened right now in the face of liberal gun grabs.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We don’t need any more restrictions on gun ownership. 2nd Amendment rights need to be protected and actually strengthened right now in the face of liberal gun grabs.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
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?
Slashing federal bureaucracy and spending and Draining the Swamp. Helping small businesses grow, create jobs and increase wages by getting government out of their way. Simplifying and cutting taxes for the working class and small businesses.
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Slashing federal bureaucracy and spending and Draining the Swamp. Helping small businesses grow, create jobs and increase wages by getting government out of their way. Simplifying and cutting taxes for the working class and small businesses.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism should never be tolerated. Wherever proven, systemic racism must be rooted out and racist laws should be struck down. That said, the government can’t control people’s feelings.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism should never be tolerated. Wherever proven, systemic racism must be rooted out and racist laws should be struck down. That said, the government can’t control people’s feelings.
