Gary Stefanko
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Gary Stefanko
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 103
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Spring Arbor College, Sprinkle Arbor, BA, 1994
Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MS, 2000
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Roscommon County United Way, Board Chair and Board Member, Houghton Lake United Methodist Church
Treasurer, Boy Scouts of America, Scout Master and Committee Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Roscommon County Commissioner, 01/2016 - 12/2018
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.
Agree
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.
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?
Rape incest and when pregnancy threatens the mothers life. I believe that government should not be involved in the personal lives of the citizens. This is a very difficult decision for an expectant mother.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Rape incest and when pregnancy threatens the mothers life. I believe that government should not be involved in the personal lives of the citizens. This is a very difficult decision for an expectant mother.
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?
Redesign the Medicaid program. These programs were intended to be a stopgap program. They have become a permanent program for many people and and continue for generations.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Redesign the Medicaid program. These programs were intended to be a stopgap program. They have become a permanent program for many people and and continue for generations.
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 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.
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.
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?
Religion is a belief between a Man and his God. Freedom of religion must be protected but no legislation can restrict or promote a religion
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Religion is a belief between a Man and his God. Freedom of religion must be protected but no legislation can restrict or promote a religion
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?
Promoting a strong working economy would provide employer healthcare. Individuals that can legitimately not work should be eligible for state funded healthcare.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Promoting a strong working economy would provide employer healthcare. Individuals that can legitimately not work should be eligible for state funded healthcare.
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?
All individuals immigrating into the country must vetted. They need to be an asset to our country. Currently many of the people coming into our country go directly onto assistance programs.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
All individuals immigrating into the country must vetted. They need to be an asset to our country. Currently many of the people coming into our country go directly onto assistance programs.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
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.
Agree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
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.
I am a Christian. I believe in freedom of religion as long as it does not impose on the rights of others.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian. I believe in freedom of religion as long as it does not impose on the rights of others.
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
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.
The only example I can provide is when I did not support tax increase wording as a commissioner. It was my opinion that the wording did not earmark was he funds to make a change in Roscommon County.
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
The only example I can provide is when I did not support tax increase wording as a commissioner. It was my opinion that the wording did not earmark was he funds to make a change in Roscommon County.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a masters degree fro Central Michigan University. I was employed in the healthcare industry for 42 years in clinical, supervisory, and administrative positions. As an administrator I was expected to run the business successfully. I believe that a successful background in the private sector is a much better qualification then politics as usual.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a masters degree fro Central Michigan University. I was employed in the healthcare industry for 42 years in clinical, supervisory, and administrative positions. As an administrator I was expected to run the business successfully. I believe that a successful background in the private sector is a much better qualification then politics as usual.
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 believe that I can bring some new ideas to the table. I am running because I am sick of hearing politicians say whatever it takes to get elected and then walk the fence so they do not loose a vote. I have no intention of making politics a long term career. Even with term limits politicians run for different offices and go from state to federal positions. These positions were not intended to ge a career.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I believe that I can bring some new ideas to the table. I am running because I am sick of hearing politicians say whatever it takes to get elected and then walk the fence so they do not loose a vote. I have no intention of making politics a long term career. Even with term limits politicians run for different offices and go from state to federal positions. These positions were not intended to ge a career.
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.
Strongly Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I support the second amendment. Current laws here in Michigan provide for a background check and should not be changed.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I support the second amendment. Current laws here in Michigan provide for a background check and should not be changed.
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.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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?
Redesign the current Medicaid system here in Michigan. Currently Medicaid is the highest single expense for the state. The current system is drawing people to the state which is creating an unsustainable burden on the taxpayers. Legislation to assure legislators approval for major decisions such as the recent restrictions imposed by the governor regarding the stay at home order and selected restrictions on the residents of Michigan. The governor has imposed partisan restrictions and our current legislators have provided minimal resistance Legislation to allow reasonable laws regarding baiting deer.
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Redesign the current Medicaid system here in Michigan. Currently Medicaid is the highest single expense for the state. The current system is drawing people to the state which is creating an unsustainable burden on the taxpayers. Legislation to assure legislators approval for major decisions such as the recent restrictions imposed by the governor regarding the stay at home order and selected restrictions on the residents of Michigan. The governor has imposed partisan restrictions and our current legislators have provided minimal resistance Legislation to allow reasonable laws regarding baiting deer.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No, the constitution addresses this issue. Enacting additional laws is not the answer. Assuring that current laws are followed is the answer. Unfortunately racism has become a political slogan.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No, the constitution addresses this issue. Enacting additional laws is not the answer. Assuring that current laws are followed is the answer. Unfortunately racism has become a political slogan.
