Paul Brandmire
Republican | Minnesota
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Paul Brandmire
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 14B
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MSA, 1991
University of Maryland, College Park, BS, 1983
Los Angeles Community College, Los Angeles, AA, 1979
WORK & MILITARY
Director of Logistics Oslo Norway, Captain, 2
GLCM Missile Launch Officer RAF Greenham Common UK, Captain, 3
AFOSI Special Agent Spangdahlem Germany, Special Agent, 5
USAF Security Policeman Kunsan Korea, Airman, 3
AFFILIATIONS
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Life Member, American Legion
Life Member, Air Force Association, Life Member
National Rifle Association, Life Member, Lutherans for Life
Chapter President, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Council President
Boy Scouts Central MN Chapter, Roundtable Commissioner, Lake Association
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
City Councilman, 2
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
MN House of Representatives, 2014
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life PAC
*Minnesota Gun Owners PAC
OTHER (2)
*National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Minnesota
Republican Party of Minnesota
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
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?
If the mother's life is at risk and there are no other options.
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?
Five percent across the board. Hiring freeze. Elimination of programs which would more properly be handled by the local jurisdictions. Review and reduce welfare aid.
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.
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?
Government stays out of the business of a recognized church. People should be allowed to worship (or not) as they see fit, as long as they don't violate existing laws protecting citizens health and welfare.
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?
Open policies to cross state lines. Require publishing prices of services and prescriptions on line. Increase information on cost sharing programs. Adequate state funding of medicaid for the poor. Education on programs available to discourage using the emergency room for primary care.
NATIONAL SECURITY
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
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?
Immigrants should be limited to those who are able to contribute to our society, not be a drain on our resources. They should commit to the American way of life and pledge allegiance to our nation, showing a true love and desire to be an American and leaving other allegiances behind. No nation has an obligation to admit non-citizens who cannot or will not support themselves or our society.
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 am a Christian conservative and a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. My father was a Lutheran Pastor, my wife is Roman Catholic, and her father an ordained Catholic Deacon. I believe the bible is the unerring word of God, and that Jesus is the Son of God, sent to redeem us. I believe that God gave us the power of individual freedom of choice, and that there are consequences for bad decisions and harm to our neighbors. I believe that there is right and wrong, and that evil exists in our world.
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
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Facebook page consistently shows conservative values. Career military. Graduate of a Lutheran High School. Active in my local church and in military parish councils. A leader in the Boy Scouts prior to their decisions of the last ten years. Actions on City Council.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Life of service. Living and working overseas with people from around the world. As a retired commissioned officer, I worked for, with, and over people from all walks of life and backgrounds. Degree in business and administration, with a split minor in history and sociology.
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 have a sound conservative background and an overwhelming appreciation for the foundations of our nation, and the genius of our founders and of the constitution. I believe in a small and limited government in favor of individual rights and responsibilities to the maximum extent possible.
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?
No sale to felons or people convicted of violent crimes. No ownership by minors.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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?
Rescind the governor's emergency powers. Legal carry by permit holders on Camp Ripley National Guard Base (state-owned). Constitutional Carry.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I believe that racism is a threat, but in the sense that continued emphasis on separation of races as opposed to integration of citizens is tearing us apart as a society. We've turned away from the notion of a melting pot and instead continue to emphasize how we are different from each other, all in the name of "diversity."
