Michael Martin
Republican | Kansas
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael Martin
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 57
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson, Ks, Associate of Applied Science, Fire Science
WORK & MILITARY
Topeka Fire Department, Fire Marshal, 27
AFFILIATIONS
Kansas Capital Area chapter, American Red Cross, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Kansans for Life PAC
*National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Kansans 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?
To prevent the death of the mother or to prevent severe irreversible physical damage to the mother.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
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?
I believe in smaller government and that money belongs in the hands of the citizens and not the state. Government is in place to provide that which we are unable to provide for ourselves. Public Safety, infrastructure, a safety net for those who are unable, not unwilling, to work, and medical coverage for those unable, not unwilling, to provide it on their own. Best handout we can give someone is a job. All other expenses should be looked at as possible avenues of reduction.
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.
Neutral
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?
It means that the "State" cannot establish, regulate, or interfere with religion. This does not mean that we can not discuss religion or live by religious principals as government officials. We must be free to worship without fear of government involvement.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I believe in the free market when it comes to health care. I believe that is restrictions were lifted and insurance companies could compete across state lines, policies could be tailored to individual needs, and healthcare was made portable, we would see a drastic reduction in cost and availability to everyone.
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.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
This is the greatest country in the world because of our immigration. There is no other country in the world that accepts more diversity than the United States. If I were to become a citizen of Germany, or France that would not make me German or French. Only in America do you become an American when you are a citizen; whatever your previous background you are American. We need to make sure our immigration system is secure so we can limit the amount of people entering our country. We need immigration, but it must be controlled and regulated so we are not overwhelmed by people entering this country.
EDUCATION
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
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe that there is only one true God and we get to him through our Savior Jesus Christ. I am a baptized Catholic and believe in the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church. I have a direct spiritual relationship with God and pray to him daily for guidance and support. I have 5 children that have all been baptized and believe in God. I am nothing without this relationship with God, and it guides me daily.
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.
While I am very conservative, I am also very inclusive. I understand that, while my beliefs are solid and grounded, others might not share those beliefs. I understand that the teachings of the bible and I am not to judge others. While I may disagree with others regarding their personal choices, we need everyone to make this county great. As much as I value my religion and want to please God daily, I sin everyday. Knowing this, I cannot judge the sins of others, I can just accept them as they are and pray for them to get right with God. In short, I am very conservative in my beliefs and the way I will vote, but I understand that God loves all, including sinners.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have spent 30 years in Public Service beginning as a volunteer firefighter 1989. In 1993 I was hired by the Topeka Fire Department and moved through the ranks until 2003, when I promoted into fire investigations. As a Fire Investigator I received training from The Office of the State Fire Marshal, The National Fire Academy, and the Kansas Highway Patrol. Through this training, I became a Certified Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Kansas. In 2014, I was promoted to the position of Fire Marshal for the City of Topeka and completed my degree in Fire Science. I continued to work as the Fire Marshal until my retirement in January of 2020. My time in the Fire Service has taught me to look for common sense approaches to problem solving. Our current political system has lost touch with the people they are supposed to be representing. I intend to bring pure representation back to the people of my district and to Kansas.
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 want people to understand why I am entering politics. I am not a politician , nor do I want to become one, I am a lifelong public servant that wants to continue to serve. I do not believe that going into government was meant to be a career. I believe that the founding fathers intended for us all to take turns doing our civic duty to represent ourselves and our neighbors. My intent is to serve for approximately 6-8 years, if the people are willing, then to return back to private life. If our representative government worked this way, the only people wanting to serve would be those truly wanting to serve. This is not a stepping stone to bigger and better, this is what I want to do. Knowing that there is just a finite number of days in office means that the work needs to get done now.
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?
The second amendment does not grant us the power to keep and bear arms; we are born with this right from God. The second amendment ensures that government will never restrict this God given right. I believe that we should enact legislation that provides for mandatory minimum sentencing for anyone that commits a crime using a gun. Regardless on what punishment they receive for the crime, if a gun is present, 5 years should be added to the sentence.
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?
Everything is being driven by COVID-19, so that will determine how I will proceed. We need to get this under control so we can get our small businesses open and generating revenue for the people and the state. After that is stabilized, I will be pushing for the Value them Both amendment to give the people of Kansas the ability to control abortion in our state. Then we move to police an public safety. We need to ensure that the police have all the tools necessary to maintain law and order. The third priority will be trimming the budget to reduce the tax burden of the people of kansas.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
If there is a segment of our population that feels they are being under-served, targeted, or being held back in any way because of the color of their skin, that is a problem that must be addressed. He have to remember that perception is reality for some people; while many of us do not see or understand this perception, does not mean it is not real for some. I firmly believe that we all share about 95 percent of the same problems and them we all individually have that 5 percent to deal with. For some that may be the color of their skin, for some it may be weight or body image, there are untold numbers of issues we all have to deal with. Right now Race relations is tearing this country apart. We have to find a way to make sure everyone feels included and safe. With all the violence that is happening today in our country, it has now risen to the level that threatens our overall security.
