Martha Ptashnik
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Martha Ptashnik
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 19
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Bachelor's, 1989
Madonna University, Livonia, Master's, 2011
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
PTSA - Livonia, member - various schools, St. Colette Parish - Livonia
parishioner
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (3)
John Pastor
John Walsh
*Right to Life of Michigan
OTHER (3)
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan PAC
Great Lakes Education Project
Michigan Freedom Fund
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Michigan Freedom Fund
Great Lakes Education Project
John Walsh - former State Rep.
John Pastor - former State Rep.
Kathleen McIntyre - Livonia City Council President
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Pamela Hornberger (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Great Lakes Education Project (2020)
Pamela Hornberger (2020)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2011)
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, when the life of the mother is involved a delivery can be attempted early to save both mother and child.
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?
Michigan has spent most of the past decade under fiscally responsible Republican leadership and has trimmed waste, fraud and abuse from the system. We must focus on growing our economy by attracting emerging sectors, manufacturing, and young adults to our state in order to grow Michigan, and continue to balance our budget as we already do as required by the Michigan State Constitution.
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?
The right to practice any faith or no faith at all is a fundamental right of all Americans. The first amendment ensures both that the government does not show preference to a certain religion and that the government does not take away an individual’s ability to exercise religion.
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?
This is a federal issue. I support the private and public sectors coming together to ensure all Americans have access to healthcare.
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?
Immigration is a federal issue and outside the purview of a State Representative. Our nation is built on the rule of law, and we must strongly strictly enforce our laws on who is allowed to enter our nation.
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My spirituality gives me a sense of peace in my life. It allows me to have balance among the physical, emotional and social realms in my life. My core values or guiding principles of integrity, loyalty and responsibility are shaped by my spirituality.
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.
https://www.marthaptashnik.com/issues
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a high school math teacher so I will be a fierce advocate in fighting for policies that improve Michigan's education system. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a corporate buyer in the retail sector so in addition to education I also have a strong business and finance background.
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?
I grew up in the Old Rosedale neighborhood in Livonia and when my husband of 27 years, Brian,and I decided to start a family we decided that we wanted that same Livonia style upbringing for our own family. We have two children, David and Kate, both graduates of Livonia Public Schools. I am a teacher for Livonia Public Schools and I am committed to the education of all of Michigan's children. I am currently the mathematics department chairman at Livonia Churchill High School. I have spent the past 13 years teaching in Livonia Public Schools. Prior to teaching, I worked as a corporate retail buyer for Marshall Fields, Dayton-Hudson & Montgomery Ward's. My business experience as well as my teaching experience give me a unique view on many of the challenges Michigan is facing.
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?
None
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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?
1. Restarting the Economy 2. Education 3. Infrastructure
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Progressives are using this issue to divide Americans and enact their agenda. I reject racism and the progressive attempt to inflict conflict among Americans.
