Laurel Hess
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile*
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Laurel Hess
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 21
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, B.A., Communications, 1990
Schoolcraft College, Livonia, Teaching Certification, 2019
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Canton Chamber of Commerce, Member, Ward Presbyterian Church
Contributor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*Right to Life of Michigan
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Pat Williams, Canton Twp. Supervisor
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
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?
Abortion should be allowed when a woman's life is in danger.
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 look for government waste and unnecessary special interest funding. I would look to crack down on fraud and eliminate government activities that are no longer necessary or affordable.
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.
No Answer
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 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?
This means that government must keep an attitude of neutrality towards religion. The First Amendment allows all citizens to practice the religion of their choice, but it also officially prevents the government from recognizing or favoring any one particular 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?
We need to crack down on healthcare fraud and abuse. Those taking advantage of programs they do not qualify for as well as drug companies and healthcare professionals who take advantage of the system need to be stopped. Policing overtreatment, bribery and kickbacks, billing for services that were never given, etc. would put billions back into our healthcare system and allow insurance premiums to substantially decrease.
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.
Disagree
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?
It is very important to establish ways for immigrants to immigrate to our country legally. However, we do need to increase security along the U.S.-Mexico border to deter illegal immigrants. Once in our country, we need to prepare a clear path to legal status.
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.
Disagree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian who was raised Lutheran was and married in a Presbyterian church. My family has found our home at a local Presbyterian church. I live every day honoring traditional Christian values. Aside from religious beliefs, I believe I share the values not only of the people living in my community, but in the entire State of Michigan. I believe the majority of Michiganders are hearty souls who share the values of hard work, perseverance, family, community, and the love of our great state.
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?
Somewhat Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I strive to be the voice of reason. I wish we could all just get along. Imagine how much progress we could make in Lansing that would benefit the residents of our state if each side were willing to reach across the aisle and commit to compromise. Most in this state do not hold extreme views on either side. The majority of us strive for the same goals. We all want a safe, healthy, and economically viable place to live and raise our families. As a small business owner, I find myself to be very fiscally conservative, especially when it comes to taxes and regulations. We need to balance budgets and spend responsibly. On the social side, I support affirmative action and prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. We are all different and our differences should be celebrated.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I was born and raised in Michigan, spending most of my life in Metro Detroit. I know and love this community. I am a first generation college graduate from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I understand what it takes to work hard to achieve a lofty goal. I have owned and operated a small business of my own (Jungle Java) for the past 17 years. I understand how the local economy works and have served as a respected voice for small businesses for the past 17 years.
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?
Why Am I Running? - Just like all of you, COVID-19 hit this past March and rocked my world. The small business that me and my husband worked so hard to build and protect was ordered closed and, with zero revenues coming in, finances began to dry up. I tried hard to secure all of the promised sources of small business government support and came up empty for weeks. I found this to be true of most small business owners I knew. I also watched as dozens of people I know tried to navigate the unemployment system with no luck. This frustration with government bureaucracy is what ultimately motivated me to run for State Rep in an effort to help find solutions for the real people in the 21st district who were all failed, in some way or another, by those who are supposed to represent us and be our voice. I want to provide a voice for small business and “regular people” who are not politically connected and, therefore, don’t feel like they have a voice.
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.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am in favor of the "Red flag" legislation in an effort to reduce gun death by suicide. I also support legislation that would prevent the sale of military-style weapons to civilians.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Economic Restart Plan for Small Businesses & Their Employees - I want to help get the people of my district back on their feet in the wake of this devastating pandemic. Look at what failed and why. For example, investing in technology to update the UIA website and phone system. And what about our Secretary of State? The technology used there is a mess. 2. Education Reform - We need more equitable funding for our schools and more affordable post-secondary education. I would like to see MI enter into a reciprocal rights agreement with other Midwest states to reciprocate in-state tuition rates. 3. I need to listen to my constituents and find out their issues and concerns before I declare what I would like to see happen. It's not all about me or any of the politicians in Lansing. We are elected to represent the people who live in our community. What are their main concerns? Is it the ridiculous cost of car insurance? Crumbling roads? All of the above or something else?
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes it is. I firmly believe that racism is fueling some domestic terrorism. Racist, hate-fueled violence should be a top national security priority on par with foreign terrorism.
