Steve Townsend
Republican | Georgia
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Steve Townsend
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 8
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC, Doctorate of Pastoral Theology, 2007
Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC, Master of Arts in Bible, 1982
Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC, Bachelor of Arts Bible Education, 1980
WORK & MILITARY
National Write Your Congressman, Regional Representative, 5
Tabernacle Baptist Church, Senior Pastor, 14
Morningside Baptist Church, Assistant Pastor, 8
Minnick Bible Church, Senior Pastor, 6
AFFILIATIONS
Rabun County Republican Party, Member, Grace Bible Church
Member, South Carolina Republican Party, Simpsonville Precinct Committeeman
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
None
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Paul Broun (2013)
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
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?
Under no circumstances.
ECONOMY
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
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Almost all government spending needs to be reduced. Wasteful spending, entitlements, and unnecessary bureaucratic jobs must all be evaluated and eliminated.
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 define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
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
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It means that government should not infringe on the freedom of religion regarding beliefs and practice. However, the phrase does NOT mean that religion should be kept out of government. Our Founding Fathers assumed that religious leaders and pastors would have a strong influence on government leaders, policies, and legislation. Our nation has historically always included religious practices such as prayer, Bible-reading, and sermons as part of governmental activities.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Government needs to encourage more choices for consumers by allowing shopping for healthcare coverage across state lines similar to shopping for auto insurance. Government needs to restrict interference from large lobby organizations that are more interested in large profits rather than in helping consumers. Health savings accounts that provide tax savings incentives would encourage more personal responsibility for individuals.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly 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.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who apply lawfully who are looking to improve their lives and to live in freedom. There may be times when our government must limit immigration for various reasons, but for most of our history, we as a nation have allowed immigrants to come. Immigrants must come to understand that to immigrate to the U.S. is a privilege, not a right.
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.
Strongly Agree
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 that the Bible is the final authority for my faith and practice. I believe that all are sinners who need to be saved by placing their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for eternal life and forgiveness of sin. I believe that every genuine Christian should strive to love God with all his heart and soul, and strive to love his neighbor as himself. And I believe that the Lord Jesus expects His followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
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
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I have recorded sermons that I have preached that document that I believe what the Bible teaches and that would show that my beliefs align with a very conservative position. I have publicly endorsed political candidates who are very conservative, and I have not publicly endorsed any political candidate who was not conservative.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have post graduate degrees, and I have had over 30 years of ministry experience with four different churches. Not only have I been expected to work with people and build relationships, but I have had extensive experience with preparing budgets, overseeing building projects and renovations, administrating many various departments and ministries, and working with committees and groups. I have been involved with lobbying for legislative issues at both the state and federal levels. Currently, I work doing legislative research contacting business owners to ask their opinions on various legislative issues. I have developed a keen insight into what owners of small businesses face regarding legislation and regulations that impact their ability to run their business.
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?
In order for any legislation to receive my vote, it must pass a four-fold test: 1) Is this legislation right and moral? 2) Is it Constitutional? 3) Is it necessary? 4) Can we afford it? I believe that it was God who ordained the institution of government, and therefore, government has a God-ordained purpose. But some people want government to do some things that God never intended government to do, and in those cases, government becomes the problem, not the solution. I am a conservative Constitutionalist who loves our country, our values, and freedoms, that all go to make our country truly exceptional. I will do all that I can to promote legislation that will strengthen our families, protect our religious freedoms, defend all innocent life, and promote entrepreneurs, free enterprise, and small business.
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.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We do not need restrictions on gun ownership by law-abiding citizens. Rather government needs to punish criminals for whatever crime they commit, with a gun or any other article.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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?
Constitutional Carry legislation for gun ownership by law-abiding citizens. Pro-life legislation that would completely end abortion. Freedom of Religion Restoration Act that would protect business owners who desire to operate according to their personal beliefs.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
If racism is defined as a belief that one race is superior to all other races, then, yes, racism can definitely be a threat to domestic tranquility and even to domestic security. I concur with The Declaration of Independence in that it states that "we hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights." Every American citizen should view all other American citizens foremost as Americans with the same rights and responsibilities of all others.
