Tim Keller
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Tim Keller
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 83
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, M.S., 2002
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, B.A., 1995
WORK & MILITARY
Port Huron Schools, Teacher, 23
AFFILIATIONS
St. Clair County Republican Party (Michigan), Precinct Delegate (former executive board member), Blue Water Tea Party
Chairman - founding member, Gun Owners of America, Lifelong Member
National Rifle Association, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Port Huron City Council, 2011
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Patrick Colbeck - Former Michigan State Senator
Tom McMillin - Michigan State Board of Education
Robert Conely - Chairman Sanilac County Commission
Dan Dean - Sanilac County Commissioner
Gary Heberling - Sanilac County Commissioner
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Michigan Conservative Coalition (2016)
Shane Hernandez (2019)
Tom McMillin (2014)
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
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
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
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 never be allowed. We should also use accurate terminology to describe it: abortion is In Utero Infanticide.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Abortion should never be allowed. We should also use accurate terminology to describe it: abortion is In Utero Infanticide.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
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
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 begin by looking for redundancies in the budget. I would also focus on maintaining essential services as being necessary to fund (essential services provide for the common infrastructure and safety such as roads, bridges, fire protection, law enforcement, and emergency services). I would look for ways to trim things that are better provided and served by the private sector.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would begin by looking for redundancies in the budget. I would also focus on maintaining essential services as being necessary to fund (essential services provide for the common infrastructure and safety such as roads, bridges, fire protection, law enforcement, and emergency services). I would look for ways to trim things that are better provided and served by the private sector.
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 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
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
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
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?
That phrase is found nowhere in the U.S. Constitution. The phrase actually comes from a letter that President Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists Association in Connecticut. According to the First Amendment, Congress is prohibited from establishing one denomination as being the "official religion" of the state. The First Amendment also prohibits Congress from passing any law that would restrict an individual from freely worshipping God. We are free to worship God anywhere and Congress is not permitted to stop that.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
That phrase is found nowhere in the U.S. Constitution. The phrase actually comes from a letter that President Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptists Association in Connecticut. According to the First Amendment, Congress is prohibited from establishing one denomination as being the "official religion" of the state. The First Amendment also prohibits Congress from passing any law that would restrict an individual from freely worshipping God. We are free to worship God anywhere and Congress is not permitted to stop that.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
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?
Any time government assumes control over a sector of the economy it turns it into a political football. From then on, any decision to change anything in that system becomes politicized. Healthcare coverage has not been made more affordable since government has increasingly assumed control over its regulation and management. As an elected official I will do my part to build public opinion in favor of returning healthcare to a privatized system. Ultimately, it will require the repeal of the poorly named “Affordable Healthcare Act.”
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Any time government assumes control over a sector of the economy it turns it into a political football. From then on, any decision to change anything in that system becomes politicized. Healthcare coverage has not been made more affordable since government has increasingly assumed control over its regulation and management. As an elected official I will do my part to build public opinion in favor of returning healthcare to a privatized system. Ultimately, it will require the repeal of the poorly named “Affordable Healthcare Act.”
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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
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
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?
I think persons who are being persecuted for political or religious reasons should be given priority especially Christians who are being persecuted in larger numbers than ever before in history. I think we should not permit persons with criminal records, contagious diseases, or affiliation with terrorist organizations to enter the country.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I think persons who are being persecuted for political or religious reasons should be given priority especially Christians who are being persecuted in larger numbers than ever before in history. I think we should not permit persons with criminal records, contagious diseases, or affiliation with terrorist organizations to enter the country.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
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
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
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.
Jesus Christ is Lord. My wife Lisa and our three boys attend Lakeport Wesleyan Church. Too many churches in America have pews filled with the redeemed whose minds have not been renewed through the reading of God's Word on a daily basis. Too many American Christians adhere to secular humanist ideology, but Christ calls us to take on the mind of Christ. Six percent of Americans have a biblical worldview. We need to change that, and instead educate ourselves and others about the principles of Freedom found in scripture. America needs God. We need American leaders who hold a biblical worldview and who apply God's truth to real life issues.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Jesus Christ is Lord. My wife Lisa and our three boys attend Lakeport Wesleyan Church. Too many churches in America have pews filled with the redeemed whose minds have not been renewed through the reading of God's Word on a daily basis. Too many American Christians adhere to secular humanist ideology, but Christ calls us to take on the mind of Christ. Six percent of Americans have a biblical worldview. We need to change that, and instead educate ourselves and others about the principles of Freedom found in scripture. America needs God. We need American leaders who hold a biblical worldview and who apply God's truth to real life issues.
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
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.
In 2009 I helped organize Blue Water Tea Party and later served for years as its Chairman. During that time, I taught adult classes called, “Institute on the Constitution.” Two major parts of the class were videotaped lectures by Dr. John Eidsmoe and David Barton of Wallbuilders. I began digging into sources referenced by those men, and it changed the way I teach American History at school and what I focused on through social media and at Tea Party events that I helped organize. As a grassroots activist I have helped organize efforts to affect public policy at all levels of government. I also have worked to recruit conservative candidates including Michigan State Representative Shane Hernandez.
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
In 2009 I helped organize Blue Water Tea Party and later served for years as its Chairman. During that time, I taught adult classes called, “Institute on the Constitution.” Two major parts of the class were videotaped lectures by Dr. John Eidsmoe and David Barton of Wallbuilders. I began digging into sources referenced by those men, and it changed the way I teach American History at school and what I focused on through social media and at Tea Party events that I helped organize. As a grassroots activist I have helped organize efforts to affect public policy at all levels of government. I also have worked to recruit conservative candidates including Michigan State Representative Shane Hernandez.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
As a teacher of American history and government, I have a firm foundational knowledge of what the Founding Fathers originally intended for our Republic. My knowledge of American history has been greatly influenced by the writings and lectures of David Barton, Dr. John Eidsmoe, the Bible and wide reading from conservative sources of information including the Heritage Foundation.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
As a teacher of American history and government, I have a firm foundational knowledge of what the Founding Fathers originally intended for our Republic. My knowledge of American history has been greatly influenced by the writings and lectures of David Barton, Dr. John Eidsmoe, the Bible and wide reading from conservative sources of information including the Heritage Foundation.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
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 intend to keep the Republic. A republican form of government is guaranteed to every state in the Union under Article IV, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution. In a republic, government exists to protect the rights of the people – rights given to us by our Creator. If we stray from that basic understanding of the purpose of government, then we will see our Freedoms trampled. I want to stop that, and I want to uphold and defend Freedom. Now more than ever, Americans should see how important that is.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I intend to keep the Republic. A republican form of government is guaranteed to every state in the Union under Article IV, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution. In a republic, government exists to protect the rights of the people – rights given to us by our Creator. If we stray from that basic understanding of the purpose of government, then we will see our Freedoms trampled. I want to stop that, and I want to uphold and defend Freedom. Now more than ever, Americans should see how important that is.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
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
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The inherent right of people to defend themselves – is part of both the U.S. Constitution (2nd Amendment), and the Michigan Constitution (Article 1, Section 6). I do not want to place restrictions on the right of a person to own and carry a firearm unless that person is convicted of a violent crime and has a term of parole preventing their ownership of a firearm.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The inherent right of people to defend themselves – is part of both the U.S. Constitution (2nd Amendment), and the Michigan Constitution (Article 1, Section 6). I do not want to place restrictions on the right of a person to own and carry a firearm unless that person is convicted of a violent crime and has a term of parole preventing their ownership of a firearm.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
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?
I intend to repeal the 1945 law that Governor Whitmer has used to indefinitely extend the state of emergency she declared in April. That law does not properly limit the executive branch of government and must be abolished. I would like to pass a law following President Trump’s practice of having the state bureaucracy remove a certain number of rules and/or regulations for every new rule or regulation imposed. I want to reform the current practice of high stakes standardized testing in the state of Michigan. The standardized tests are written from a progressive bias and are killing the love of learning.
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
I intend to repeal the 1945 law that Governor Whitmer has used to indefinitely extend the state of emergency she declared in April. That law does not properly limit the executive branch of government and must be abolished. I would like to pass a law following President Trump’s practice of having the state bureaucracy remove a certain number of rules and/or regulations for every new rule or regulation imposed. I want to reform the current practice of high stakes standardized testing in the state of Michigan. The standardized tests are written from a progressive bias and are killing the love of learning.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
While I have witnessed racism first hand, racism is no longer legally institutionalized in the United States. I do not see it as a threat to domestic security as it was during the days of segregation. I think America has come a long way since then, and I think we should acknowledge that.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
While I have witnessed racism first hand, racism is no longer legally institutionalized in the United States. I do not see it as a threat to domestic security as it was during the days of segregation. I think America has come a long way since then, and I think we should acknowledge that.
