Jacquie Blackwell
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jacquie Blackwell
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 79
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL, M.A., 2010
Olivet College, Olivet, MI, B.A., 1984
River Valley High School, Three Oaks, MI, HS Diploma, 1980
WORK & MILITARY
Spectrum Health Lakeland, Behavior Health Tech, 1
Berrien County Drain Commissioner's Office, Administrative Assistant, 2
Self Employed, In-home Care Giver, 5
Memcon North America, Business Development, 4
AFFILIATIONS
Spectrum Health 'Brave Talks' Forum, Member, Fresh Start Support Group for Women in Jail
Volunteer, Lakeshore Rotary Club, Member
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Alumni Council Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Neutral
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Disagree
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.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
#1. No one likes the thought of abortion. #2 Abortion is not birth control. #3. Abortion should be allowed when the mother’s health is in jeopardy and/or when she chooses that for herself because of whatever personal reasons she may have; after she has been counseled by a qualified mental health practitioner and other options are exhausted.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Neutral
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
It is estimated that Michigan will lose approximately $3.2 billion in revenue this year due to financial implications of COVID-19. Michigan has already furloughed 64% of its workforce, hoping to recover up to $80 million. In addition to furloughing employees, another measure may be instituting a part-time legislature; and/or cutting legislative salaries. This includes re-assessing their benefits; or making legislative benefits available to the public - perhaps through a buy-in system.
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.
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.
Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Neutral
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 literal meaning is that government does not meddle in religion and religion does not meddle in government. I'm not convinced separation of church and state is a good idea. This survey team must also believe that morality and ethical behavior is important to bring into government, or question #24 would not have been posed. :) I stand by my stance of personal integrity in question #24; that I will do what’s right, moral and ethical for the taxpayers of the 79th district. I will use my spiritual principles outlined to inform my decisions and guide my actions in an environment where unethical and unprofessional behavior can easily be hid from voters back in the district.'
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Neutral
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Two ways: #1. Lower the cost of prescription medications. #2. Introduce a single-payer ‘health freedom’ insurance system that is not tied to an employer. This system would ensure the individual will 1) have health insurance and 2) have financially manageable premiums and/or deductibles.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Disagree
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.
Neutral
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
1. Any migrant who is seeking relocation to the US from another country because they want to be a part of American culture should be background checked, allowed and welcomed (if background check is clear). 2. Any refugee who is forced from their homeland for political, social or environmental reasons; should be allowed immigration after background check is clear. 3. An asylum seeker should be interviewed, investigated and background checked. Should they be escaping legal or criminal consequences or considered a dangerous public threat to society they should not be allowed immigration.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
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.
Raised Lutheran, here are my thoughts on religion: 1. There is only one religion: the religion of Love. 2. I follow Jesus’ motto: Do unto others as you would have done unto you. 3. I believe we are all one; one with nature; and one with God. What’s good for one, is good for all, is good for the environment. 4. I am here to serve the higher good of humanity. These principles will inform my decisions and guide my actions in an environment where unethical and unprofessional behavior can easily be hid from people 'back in the district.' I will bring my very high standards of personal and political integrity to Lansing to serve the best interest of the people of the 79th. I learned ethics from a master himself. My father former state representative Carl F. Gnodtke had a plaque hanging in his office, “Will it please God?” I stand with my father on doing what’s right, moral and ethical for the people of the 79th district.
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?
No Answer
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I am not a party label person; rather, I work to bridge political gaps. We are elected to write policy that supports the best interest of all. I strive to restore an atmosphere of non-political camaraderie and balance between opposing sides. In other words, we can disagree politically, be friends, and arrive at meaningful solutions by listening to, and understanding all sides. Through the course of decades we have observed our political climate evolve from friendly political camaraderie to party pettiness and divisiveness. This accomplishes nothing. Today we are facing different times, and I am the appropriate and relevant leader to fit these times. Party labeling stops here.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
A master’s degree in Child & Adolescent Psychology and employment as a Mental Health Tech at Spectrum Hospital qualifies me to shape public policy re these issues: #1. More emphasis on education and youth #2. Improved and more accessible mental health services - especially as per COVID-19. #3. More sustainable business practices. All Three go hand-in-hand. We are seeing an increased need for teachers to provide for the social/emotional well-being and support for children as is, without C-19. Mental health services like counselors, 1-on-1 supervision, behavior specialists, etc. are becoming more necessary in the primary grades. C-19 has exasperated the problems educators are already trying to manage. C-19 is also exasperating the financial concerns that the service industry - especially, has already been feeling. Most people in the service industry live paycheck-to-paycheck. C-19 is bringing economic hardships to light and businesses need help too.
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?
It’s true that you and I will not agree on every point. It’s true that there is no such thing as a perfect candidate, nor a perfect office holder. It’s also very true that I will listen to you - my constituent, colleague, and political advisor. I will evaluate all input to help inform the decisions that are to be made by using my real, practical life experience and well-rounded world view in the highest way to serve the people of the 79th district.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Neutral
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?
No Answer
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Second amendment rights are second amendment rights. With rights come responsibility. The more freedom, the more responsibility. Responsible gun users do not have their guns taken away. I advocate for responsible use of guns. Using guns for violence on another person or even to threaten someone is not only irresponsible, it leans into unhealthy mental hygiene. I support thorough background checks including mental health screening; and eliminating the availability and purchase of war weaponry.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Neutral
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
#1. More emphasis on education and youth #2. Improved and more accessible mental health services - especially in light of COVID-19. #3. More sustainable business practices. #4. Campaign finance / Election law reform.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism from the inside, yes, is a threat to domestic security. Economic/social/political injustice that occurs via systemic racism breeds contempt. The longer systemic racism ensues, the more contempt those who feel violated will become, with further chance of becoming dangerous.
