Martin Ross
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
Martin Ross
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 70
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Central Montcalm High School, Stanton MI, diploma, 1976
Montcalm Community College, Sidney MI, 1986
WORK & MILITARY
US Postal Service, Postmaster, 40
Butternut Bible Church, Pastor, 19
AFFILIATIONS
Sheridan Little League, Coach, Butternut Homeschool Basketball
Scorekeeper; Timekeeper
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
none
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
none
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 (1)
*Right to Life of Michigan
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Former Senator Alan Cropsey
Former State Rep Tom Hooker
Montcalm Road Comm Mark Christiansen
Fairplain Twp Supv Tom Sova
Bushnell Twp Supv Mark Ravell
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?
To save the life of the mother.
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?
We must eliminate spending on things that, while nice, are not a legitimate function of government. We must seek to reduce costs on direct payments to individuals and systemic inefficiencies. We should reduce the number of professions that require a license to operate and save the costs used for bureaucrats overseeing them while expanding freedom.
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 is a phrase not found in our Constitution. The First Amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof. It was written to protect the church, not the state. The phrase above has been used to prohibit and inhibit the exercise of religion. I believe freedom of religion needs to be encouraged and not hindered.
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 like to promote employer sponsored health care through tax incentives, expand Health Savings Accounts, and reform health care by working to eliminate the third party payer system.
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.
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.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We must restore respect for our laws by insisting only LEGAL immigrants be allowed to stay in our country. All newcomers must be willing to observe our laws and norms in our country and to respect America. Also, those who possess the skills and attitude to prosper our country should be given priority.
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 salvation and eternal life are available only through the Lord Jesus Christ, who declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by me". I believe that the Bible is given by inspiration of God and it is a guide for life and for living. I believe that all of us are sinners in need of salvation, and that none of us can be good enough to get to heaven by our own good works. I became a Christian in 1982 at the age of 24 when I realized that I had sinned against a holy God, that I needed a Savior, and called upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save me. I did not intend to become 'religious' but God changed my life from the inside out by the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
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.
I have not run for public office before so there is not the record that will exist if I am elected. My Facebook page states my positions, and while not publicly published, my ministry as Pastor of Butternut Bible Church has demonstrated my conservative, Biblical positions. I have been involved with Right to Life causes by staffing and working the Right to Life booth at the Ionia Free Fair, by leading in prayer at RTL banquets, by circulating initiative petitions to outlaw publicly funded abortions and also dismemberment abortions. I am a member of the NRA and support 2nd Amendment rights.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
My life experience of working for 40 years face to face with the public, being married 42 years and raising 7 children, my 19 years as a pastor, and the fact that I am not a career politician all qualify me to represent the people of our district.
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 am a "Commonsense Conservative" at a time when commonsense is sorely needed in the Capitol. I want to be a citizen representative and not a politician.
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.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Second Amendment recognizes our right to keep and bear arms. No new restrictions are needed. Gun control does not work or Chicago would be the safest place in America. Gun control only takes the guns from law abiding citizens.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly 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?
Elimination of dismemberment abortions. Safeguards to limit a governor's power in a state of emergency. Bills to reduces the number of professions that require a license to operate.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Any unfair or unequal treatment based on inherent characteristics causes resentment and unrest. I am for fair and equal treatment of all citizens.
