TC Clements
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
TC Clements
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 56
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL, BS - Public Admin., 2007
Polk Community College (Now Polk State ), Winter Haven, FL, AA - Liberal Arts, 1990
WORK & MILITARY
Cruise Planners - TC & Jamie Clements - Franchise, Co-Owner, 7
Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Investigator, 4
Eliot Police Department, Deputy Chief of Police, 1
Solar Stik, Co-Owner, 2
AFFILIATIONS
Resurrection Lutheran Church, Congregant 11 years, NRA
Member / Supporter, Right to Life, Supporter / Donor
Monroe County Republican Executive Committee, Finance Chair, Habitat for Humanity
Former Board of Directors, Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, Former Board of Directors
Farm Bureau, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Bedford Township Trustee, 2016 - Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None prior to Trustee in 2016
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (4)
Citizens for Traditional Values-Michigan
Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Right to Life of Michigan
OTHER (9)
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan PAC
Great Lakes Education Project
Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPAC
Michigan Freedom Fund
Michigan Health Choice Alliance
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Michigan Freedom Fund
Great Lakes Education Project
Police Officers Association of Michigan
Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy Association
Monroe County Sheriff Command Officers Association
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Dale Zorn (2019)
Great Lakes Education Project (2020)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
Meerman Majority Fund (2020)
Michigan Freedom Network (2020)
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?
I am not a proponent of abortive procedures unless the treating physician of the mother has determined that it is medically necessary to save the mother's life.
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?
The State of Michigan requires a balanced budget annually. As a potential legislator facing the aftermath of COVID-19, all departments, all budgets, are going to have to find areas where less essential services and costs can be eliminated to save money. I believe that this will force a real examination of more digital dependency and less bureaucratic paper shuffling. Having to be leaner means you have to be more resourceful.
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 is a protection mechanism that creates space between our government and our churches. Faith, or persecution of faith, was a guiding reason as to why our forefathers sought refuge in the United States. They understood that without religious freedom, a pro-individual government structure would not be successful. That is why our rights are inalienable. Simply put that means that they come to us not by legislation, but by birth. Therefore, there is a natural separation between the government being able to overstep on the rights of your religious freedoms.
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 would first allow for competition across state lines. Competition creates better rates for consumers. Second, I would remove the government from the process where possible. Medical decisions should be made between doctors and their clients.
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 that have legally applied for and gone through all of the proper channels. We should not reward illegal behavior with access to our country. This is punitive to those that are following our laws.
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 Jesus is my Savior and through his death and by his Grace my sins are forgiven. I absolutely believe that the word of God is meant for us to use as a blueprint for our daily lives. For me, much of my own spiritual walk has focused on being a reflection of the love Christ shows us and to be an example to others. I place kindness, compassion, sensitivity, and humbleness as core components to who I am. These characteristics do not make me weak or soft. Rather, they are the characteristics of a mature and confident person that wants to live by example as best I can. As a father, I know that my children watch my every move. I cannot tell them to focus on their faith, go to church, and develop a love for God if I am not also working to set an example.
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.
As a Christian who is Pro-Life and focused on ensuring our rights are preserved, I fall into the conservative category pretty quickly. I want better government and efficient government, not more government. Our founding document, the Bill of Rights, specifically lays out our rights and it is written in favor of the individual, not the government. These rights have been subject to hostile interruption over the years and we have to work to ensure they are not trampled upon or diluted. WE THE PEOPLE are the voice that should drive this country. The threads of our country are sewn into our DNA. Those threads are our faith, family, and freedom.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
In addition, to having a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration, I have a very diverse background from which I draw experience. I have been a successful Chief Operations Officer for a manufacturing and production company. I have government experience as a police officer and ultimately as a Deputy Chief of Police. And, I have been a successful small business owner of a few businesses. I am also an elected Trustee for my community. Additionally, I am a father of three (20,9,7), married for almost 17 years and have faced so many of the challenges that my neighbors experience. I am a homeowner, taxpayer, PTO member, Junior Achievement teacher, and neighbor. I think all of these experiences allow me to be most reflective of my neighbors which will allow me to be the most effective for them.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
I have never been charged with or convicted of any crime.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
My life has been based on love for service over self. As a police officer I loved helping those that needed help. Protecting victims from bullies and ensuring that people were treated fairly and justly. Kindness and civility are key components that we must integrate back into our society or we will never recognize our country again. We have to be bold in our approach and convictions. We must be willing to defend what we love. We must find common ground on issues where we can so that our productivity outweighs on fighting. In building consensus on issues where we agree we build relationships. Via those relationships we build respect. Through those respect, trust is enhanced. Through trust an opportunity to get more done becomes viable.
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
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate requested we add this qualifier to his answer of yes: "Provided they comply with legal carry requirements and undergo training"
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Restrictions on gun ownership will not make us more secure. Crime data does not support this. All anti-gun arguments are emotional and not based on facts. Guns, do not kill people any more than forks cause obesity. Any tool, if used improperly, can have negative consequences. We must refocus on individual responsibilities.
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?
Economic Recovery from COVID-19 will be at the top of everyone's list. Roads and Infrastructure Repair Career Training Education and Workforce Development Veteran's Support Protections for our farms and farming families. - Food is something we all must have.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a threat to the security of our country as the identification of hate groups and fringe organizations is on the rise. Generally speaking, our society is becoming less kind and less civilized each year and this natural counter-balance to fringe activity is weakening.
