Brandt Vircks
Republican | Missouri
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Brandt Vircks
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Representative, Dist. 17
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Missouri - Columbia, Columbia, MO, BSBA with an emphasis in Management, 2016
Grain Valley High School R-5, Grain Valley, MO, 2012
WORK & MILITARY
Cerner, Senior Learning Consultant, 2016 to Present
Regal Entertainment Group, Full Time Associate Manager, 2014-2016
Regal Entertainment Group, HR Intern, 2015
AFFILIATIONS
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Elders Quorum Instructor, Young Men's Advisor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Self-Reliance Class Facilitator, Many Moods of Christmas Orchestra, Librarian of Choir Books/Sheet Music
Hope Faith - Homeless Assistance Campus, Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Missouri Right to Life
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Missouri Right to Life
Northland 4 Life
Nick King
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.
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 only times where I believe abortion should even be a consideration would be in cases of rape, incest, severe risks to the health of the mother, and when the fetus is known by competent medical authority to have severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth. However, I do not think that these are immediate qualifiers, and would still promote alternatives to abortion when and where possible.
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?
I would first reduce areas of spending where identifiable waste can be found. If audits or other investigation show continued waste of taxpayer dollars in the past, this would be among the first areas I would reduce allocation of funds. Outside of that, the ability of our government to spend should be outlined in the Constitution that is followed. If the government is not granted power over certain areas, then these areas should not be given governmental funds to operate from.
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.
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?
I believe that the separation of church and state means that the government should never interfere with churches or the individual practice of religion, so long as it does not violate another person's natural rights. Additionally, the government should not establish a national religion that all must follow under threat of law, nor should it have the ability to punish someone for acting according to their conscious and beliefs, again so long that another person's rights are not violated. Ultimately, each of us should have the individual liberty to choose to follow our faith, and the government should not hinder that capacity.
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?
To be able to accomplish these goals, the primary objective that must first be accomplished is controlling and overall reducing the costs of providing healthcare. Some of the ways I believe to do this are to reduce regulations on Nurse Practitioners, incentivise more people to become doctors and nurses, and expand transparency into the costs of medical care.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
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.
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.
Neutral
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Overall, I am generally favorable to immigration to those who seek to be a productive member of American society and seek to uphold American values. Initial preference should be given to those with important skills or education, as we want to make sure we are encouraging skilled labor to remain in the United States, but overall, I believe anyone who seeks a better life, goes through the proper legal process, and will be a productive member of society should have the opportunity to immigrate into the country.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
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.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My faith in Jesus Christ and my Father in Heaven are the most important things in my life. This campaign, growing with my family, and everything I do is informed by my faith, and I always try to do what is right before my Father's eyes. I am an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and am the Elder's Quorum instructor of my ward.
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.
Endorsement by Missouri Right to Life: https://themissouritimes.com/missouri-right-to-life-releases-2020-endorsements/ Endorsement by Northland 4 LIFE: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3542849172413439&id=2357669280931440
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Education: Graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia with a BSBA with an emphasis in Management and a Minor in Entrepreneurship. Experience: I have always had to work hard to be able to get where I am today. In college, I worked as a full time manager while I was attending school full time in order to be able to pay for my education and living expenses. I also pioneered the internship program for Regal Entertainment Group, setting the foundation for future internship programs while assisting in the creation of a scholarship program and helped run a company-wide competition. After graduation, I have continued to push myself in my career with Cerner to be able to provide for my family. Overall, my challenges and difficulties are like many other families who seek to raise their households, and persevere through those challenges on a regular basis.
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?
As much as my opinions may be valuable, they are not the most important. After serving God first, the next most important opinion is that of those who I would represent. As a Representative, I will always make a concerted effort to listen to the opinions and perspectives of my constituents on all sides of the aisle, and will make sure that to the best of my ability, every person feels that I have listened to and have heard them. It is my job to serve God and to serve my constituents, and I will always hold those two as my highest priority.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
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?
In general, the less regulations on gun ownership is the best for public safety. It should be easy for any law-abiding citizen to be able to acquire the means to protect their family. I am supportive of background checks in general, except in cases in transfer or sale among family members. Restrictions on gun ownership should typically be due to actions have been committed in the past, and that red flag laws and/or a gun registry have too many chances to be abused
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
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?
Public Health (COVID-19): To help promote the return and growth of small business, the public needs to feel healthy and feel safe in returning to somewhat normal routines. I would sponsor legislation to make sure our communities have the proper resources to contain, control, and reduce the effects of COVID-19. Education: The next generation of Missouri workers and business owners is the generation that is currently going through our educational system. I would promote legislation that properly funds and provides the necessary resources to educate our students to prepare for their role in the future workplace. Liability Immunity/Regulatory Reduction: I would support legislation that limits illness liability for businesses, so long as they are following proper health and safety measures. Additionally, I would also support legislation to make it easier for businesses to open and operate by reducing regulations on business where feasible and reasonable.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
It is plainly obvious that the topic of race is a major point of discussion in this country. On the whole, I do not believe that racism is inherit or built into our current institutions. From that perspective, I don't believe the concept of systemic racism threatens our domestic security. A potential threat to domestic security however is how the current conversation is handled, and whether people feel that they are being heard. There may be strong disagreements on both ends of the conversation. However, I do believe that there are things that we can meet on the middle and work on doing better overall. Continuing work on reform in our judicial system by reducing penalties for non-violent crimes, working to improve accountability, supporting the strengthening of the family, and helping individuals to be able to succeed in our economy will help us be able to address the underlying issues that we face.
