Bob Loonan
Republican | Minnesota
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Bob Loonan
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary & CD1 Special General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 54A
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
St Johns University, Collegeville, BS Education, 1983
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
MN DNR Hunters Safety Program, Instructor, Knights of Columbus
Member, SHAKOPEE Jaycees, Member
SHAKOPEE Chamber of Commerce, Member, Shakopee Eagles
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
SHAKOPEE Schoolboard, 10
MN State Representative, 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative 54A, 2022
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
James Newberger (2018)
Regina Barr (2020)
State Republican Party Organizations (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Minnesota Gun Owners (2014)
National Federation of Independent Business (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Dorsey Political Fund (2018)
North Star SFAA (2014)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I oppose Abortion on demand I respect a womans rights but there are two people involved in this. The decision needs to involve the rights of both. Funding effective programs that create options better than getting an abortion need to be looked at We need to have serious conservations about Medical endangerment to the mother and viability of the unborn baby Right now so many folks are all or nothing on this important topic
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Public funds being used to pay for abortions is a terrible use of dollars and would force some tax payers to financially support an immoral act
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
We have in place Hospice care which is designed to address most if not all of these situations in a moral way.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
The capitol market builds in automatic financial consequences for turning away a customer. Some businesses are willing to incur that. It should be their choice.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Good question with a simple answer None
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Stop having two standards of what is a crime. Terrorism is terrorism. I sense there is an effort to change the norms of what is the United States. It is cultivating many of these issues.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Disagree
I should be voting for what is best for Minnesota.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C. Public healthcare does not work. We are seeing that now. It does not reduce costs it shifts who pays those costs. Society should look to help those in a dire medical situation that is not of their making. We need to reallocate research funding to solve the increased problems dementia and Alzheimer. Once a public funded solution is discovered. It should be public property. Does anyone know who or how reimbursement rates for medicare are determined? It creates a major cost shift to people who are insured privately.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
This one is tricky and not an all or nothing solution. I feel there are situations where requiring vaccine protection is valid. Clients should be told if an employer requires vaccinations of employees. This situation has been handles very differently than the Aids issue.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Property taxes should not be predicated on real estate value. There is no connection to use of public services to the value of a home. I would support a refundable tax credit for tuition paid to private schools. Social Security income should not be taxed.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
There was a provision in statute that rewarded state employees who pointed out government waste We need to actually use that. It makes sense to utilize private contractors for big projects such as MNSure and MNLars. Unions push hard for the inefficient method of spending money training a State union employees for a roll out. Then we can not let them go after the project is complete. The state should cut funding for studies that last over 5 years. They are not getting anything done The general budget should not fund positions that have nobody filling them. It just creates a slush fund for commissioners.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
We have a form of this already call Post Secondary Education Option (PSEO) It requires rigor and effort on the part of the student though. A funded education is a privilege that students should work to earn. The value of an education is related to the price the student paid to get it
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Disagree
There is evidence that shows many people crossing the border who do not mean well for the US. People who come here should be helping our society not just drawing from it. Many who come here are making things better here.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I don't see this as a state issue but rather a federal one.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
Full tax credits to offset tuition. The education union has caused a big mess in our public schools.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
Yes the fault for bad cops falls to whoever trained them and monitors them
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
This is the wrong order to do things We need to improve mental health for those that need it. We need to find out what the cause is. If we can do those things we reduce the amount of police work we need
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Taking a gun away from a law abiding person fixes nothing and can make it worst. There are people who should not have a gun so a sale to a stranger likely needs to have a background check. I don't see evidence that restrict law abiding gun ownership solve the obvious problem of gun violence
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
Manufactures have no direct connection to gun violence. Gun dealers should be held responsible for who they sell to. If a dealer is sued and prevails they should be able to collect defense cost from the plaintiff
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To maintain law and order, provide national security, provide an opportunity for a basic education
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
My views are based on metaphysics common sense.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Website voteforloonan.com
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
There are many ideas out there as to what will make things better. I think most of agree on what better means we disagree on how to accomplish it.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
And there is some overlap with other walks of faith. I don't see how labeling values to one faith or another.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
I don't see an issue with this. Some are trying to create a solution where there is not a problem. A person's self acceptance can not be based on my acceptance of them.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Agree
The word marriage is the issue here. I see merit in supporting committed relationships.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Agree
CRT is advanced by people who have an agenda I do not agree with
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am Catholic There are things that are wrong and things that are right. I do not think there is situational morality.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Common sense says we know who people are
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Provisional ballots that are held separate till a person verifies who they are. I support voter ID
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No A person's actions determine outcomes We could use eye color weight or hair color and come up with disparities
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
It solves nothing.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
People want a healthy earth. What is being done in these areas is just picking financial winners and losers. For instance carbon capture is the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions, yet you don't hear much about it
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
