Jessica Garvin
Republican | Oklahoma
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jessica Garvin
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 43
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, Bachelor of Arts- Communication, 2008
Marlow High School, Marlow, Oklahoma, Diploma, 2004
WORK & MILITARY
N/A, N/A, N/A
AFFILIATIONS
United Way of Stephens County, Board of Directors: 2018-Current, Beautiful Day Foundation
Marlow Public Schools Liaison: 2017 Current, Chisholm Trail Church of Christ, Active Member & Various Ministry Volunteer
Camp Lu-Jo Kismif Christian Camp, Reunion Week Staff Member: 2013-Current, Marlow Youth Council
President/Board Member: 2012-2015, Lions Club International- Marlow Chapter, First Vice President/Member: 2018-Current
Epsilon Sigma Alpha- Sigma Nu Chapter, Philanthropic Women's Sorority: 2013-Current, Oklahoma Assisted Living Association
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
N/A, N/A
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
N/A, N/A
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Oklahoma 2nd Amendment Association OK2A
LIBERAL (1)
Oklahomans for Public Education
OTHER (2)
Oklahoma Public Employees Association
State Chamber of Oklahoma We Mean Business PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Oklahoma State Chamber
Oklahomans for Public Education
Oklahoma Edvocates
Oklahoma 4 Day Coalition
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?
It is my personal opinion that abortion should not be used as a form of birth control and should not be used unless the life of the mother is at risk. At that point, both parents should be in agreement to save the life of the mother, if that is what they elect to do. I would never support a late-term abortion. I believe in situations of rape, if treated immediately, medications are available to prevent conception before it occurs, eliminating the need for abortions. All of that said, I also am thankful that decision for condemnation is between that individual and God, that He is the one who chooses to whom He will grant grace, forgiveness and salvation, and that eternal life is not mine to give. I am a born-again sinner and depend on His grace every time I fall short; I am in no place to cast stones.
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?
Government waste and duplication of services needs to be addressed. There are agencies who potentially have too much overhead costs or upper management who could be utilized in better ways to help reduce agency costs. Additionally, I would like to look at unnecessary costs such as printing, as we live in a digital world now and could potentially save money on costs such as these.
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?
Separation of church and state, to me, means that no body of government may force citizens to worship a certain way, a certain place, a certain "being" or "idol", and that the citizens have the right to worship free from governmental regulation or authorty over the church. I do not believe that the intention of "separation of church and state" was ever intended for the government to remove Christ out of our government, but rather to remove government out of our Christ.
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?
I believe Oklahoma should support Medicaid Expansion through legislation, rather than the state question. I am afraid that if we expand Medicaid through the State Constitution, we will have to dip into Education money in the future to fund Medicaid, should the federal money go away.
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?
Anyone who is willing to come to this country legally and be a productive and patriotic American Citizen should be able to immigrate to the United States. We need to continue to make the process of immigration affordable so that others have the ability to chase their dreams and have a fair chance, but those people should be carefully vetted and be willing to follow all the laws and regulations in our country and the state in which they live.
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.
Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
After the voter guide was published, candidate notified iVoterGuide that the intended answer to this survey question should have been "Disagree"
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian who has hope at eternal life because of my rebirth in Jesus Christ. I have been saved by grace, through faith, because of the gifts of mercy and forgiveness that came through His death on the cross. I find value in His word and believe The Spirit guides us if we seek His will for our lives. I value my Christian family and lean heavily on them for encouragement, wisdom, advice and friendship.
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 am a Christ follower who believes that Christian values are the core of our country. With that said, social issues such as marriage and life, must be protected in the original form that God created and intended. I believe when discussing issues such as immigration and foreign policy, we must protect those conservative, Christian values and I believe they are at risk in these times. I have believed in the Republican policies and conservative values since I was a child and have never lost my passion for protecting those important ethical standards. As far as foreign policy and immigration are concerned, I am a third generation American. My grandparents both came from Mexico, but they did that legally and became naturalized citizens. They worked hard to make a better life for themselves and their family.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Truthfully, I am not sure that any amount of education or experience qualifies someone to hold an office such as State Senator. I believe that God calls us to lead and He gives us the wisdom and discernment we would need to serve. Think about King Solomon in the Bible when the two women and the baby came to him, claiming the same child. King Solomon didn't have an Ivy League education, but he prayed for wisdom and God gave it to him. My whole life has been lived watching my parents act as public servants to our community and serving alongside them. I don't necessarily believe that there is one single situation, school, opportunity or experience that qualifies me to hold this office... instead, I believe that God has given me a lifetime of real-world experience that has brought me wisdom and has surrounded me with Godly people I can trust to pour their wisdom and advice into me and help me grow personally and professionally.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No. I have never been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I have lived my entire life as a servant to the public. I've served on many boards, volunteered for many causes and given my time and resources into causes that God has put on my heart. Running for State Senate has been one of the greatest experiences I have ever had through all of the amazing service opportunities He has given me. This journey has been extremely humbling and I know that if all this has done is grow my faith, expand my village and teach my kids a lesson about grit, hard work and listening for His purpose in your life, I have already won.
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?
I believe Oklahoma does a great job of protecting public safety, while also protecting the Second Ammendment.
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?
1) Mental Health & Substance Abuse/Addiction 2) Rural Economic Development 3) Educational Outcomes
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism will always be an issue as long as we don't encourage people to love like Jesus loved. We take prayer out of schools, take "Under God" out of the Pledge, and separate church and state, but we want racism to disappear? I was bullied in school for my Hispanic heritage. My little brother, whose biological parents are Black, was bullied by Black children in school for being "too white". My Hispanic father was given so much grief by his family for marrying a "White" woman. Racism is alive and well in our society and comes in all forms. People often think of racism being "Black vs. White", but racism is a PEOPLE problem that comes from the lack of respect for others differences. So yes, racism is a threat to domestic security. However, until people recognize that White people discriminate, Black people discriminate, Brown people discriminate, etc., it won't change. We have to fix the PEOPLE problem and the lack of respect for mankind before we can have true domestic security.
