Donald Schmidt
Republican | Georgia
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Donald Schmidt
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 103
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, BA, 2019
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Black Conservatives for Truth, Member, Latino Conservative Organization
Member, Gwinnett Republican Party, 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.
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
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
The federal and state government have a constitutional obligation to ensure life and liberty for all Americans. While these cases are statistically low (1% of women obtain an abortion because they became pregnant through rape, and less than 0.5% do so because of incest), I stand by GA Law that grants exceptions for abortions in the case of rape and incest.
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
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Georgia by law must have a balanced budget. I believe that we have an obligation to explore reforms to our social programs and governmental waste, fraud, and abuse in our legal requirement to maintain a balanced budget.
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.
Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
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?
The concept of the separation of church and state was established as a means to protect the church from government intervention and to prevent the church from serving as a secondary shadow government. I do not believe it was designed to prohibit school prayer or mandate churches to engage in practices that violate their religious tenets.
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?
I would promote the introduction of pricing transparency and an end to surprise billing in our healthcare system. Our healthcare system has spiraled out of control in cost, not because the free market has granted it unchecked power, but because we've allowed them to operate outside of the free market. We've allowed them to hide costs, provide unauthorized services, and operate without true competition for decades. We must put an end to that practice. We have avoided innovation. Telecommunication services have been a valuable way to aid in the healthcare system.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
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.
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.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe that we should permit the immigration of any individual who we are confident will produce growth for our country and economy.
EDUCATION
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.
Agree
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 practicing Catholic and a product of the middle class. I was raised with a strong belief in the strength of a united family and a citizenry that stands united under one flag. My faith and upbringing both serve as a guide for how I view not only public policy but personal charity. I believe that it is important for every man, woman, and child in this country to find a single way in which they can improve not just their own life, but the life of at least one other person.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I believe in the power of free enterprise, innovation, and unshackled American ingenuity. I support a strong border and military. I support the rights of all Americans to freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. I believe that the federal and state government have a constitutional obligation to ensure life and liberty for all Americans, including the unborn. I place my faith in God before I place any faith in government. I believe in the power of a strong nuclear family and a local education system that focuses on preparing our children for the jobs and challenges of tomorrow.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Outside of holding a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, I have also had the great fortune of having worked for two governors and alongside many legislators under the gold dome. Working for Georgians from within the Governor's office, I had the opportunity to watch up close the workings of the capital. I quickly could see who was working for their own interest and who was working for the people of Georgia. My qualification comes from my knowledge of how the capital works, my knowledge of what my district wants by actually communicating with my community and community leaders, and my true desire to get things done for my community.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
I have not.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am committed to my district. I grew up in this district. I went to school in this district. My first job was in this district. I'm running not to serve a district, but to serve a community that has given so much my entire life but has received very little back from its leaders.
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 support common sense restrictions for felons, those who have proven to be a danger to themselves and the public, and those residing in the country illegally. I also support basic universal background checks for gun purchases.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
No Answer
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?
1. I would author/sponsor legislation that would remove every aspect of common core from Georgia's curriculum. 2. I would author/sponsor legislation that would put a ban on sanctuary cities and counties in Georgia. 3. I would author/sponsor legislation that would put an end to balance billing (surprise billing) in our healthcare system.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
While I recognize our country's history on race and the undeniable fact that there are still those who harbor and express racist views, I do not believe it poses a domestic security threat to our country. I believe the vast majority of Americans stand united against racism and that we continue to maintain protects for those who have historically been subjected to racial terror and bigotry.
