Leilani Holmstadt
Republican | Minnesota
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Leilani Holmstadt
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 54
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, IA, BA, 1988
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
American Heritage Girls, Vice Coordinator, girl leader, Patriotic Heritage AllegiantHonor Guard
Board Member, trainor, Living Word Christian Center, Medical Responder, greating ministry
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)
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life PAC
*Minnesota Gun Owners PAC
OTHER (3)
*Minnesotans for Affordable Health Insurance
Republican Party of Minnesota
Women LEAD MN PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
MCCL: MN Citizens Concerned for Life
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Freedom Club (2016)
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?
My personal view is that abortion is the taking of life and should only be permissible when there is a clear choice of the mother's life or the unborn child's life. I understand that the popular view is to make exceptions for rape and incest.
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?
The Minnesota constitution states that the state government must balance the operating budget. It is projected that MN will have a 7.5 Billion dollar budget deficit. Balancing the budget will require identifying what the key functions of government are, how they should be accomplished, and then the level of funding.I favor a system of zero-based budgeting.
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.
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
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Our Constitution guarantees there is no government mandated state or national religion. Additionally, we are free to worship or exercise our faith as we see fit. The popular notion of separation of church and state was derived from a misinterpretation of a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to Danbury Baptist Church. Judeo-Christian principles are the basis of our founding and are not meant to be totally separate from the state.
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?
I would like to see fair pricing transparency, to have competition between and within states, and to have fewer regulations.
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?
I support anyone immigrating to the U.S. with the expectations that they can follow our laws, are not anti-American, a criminal, or sick. Individuals wanting to immigrate will need to demonstrate a strong understanding of America's founding principles and can agree to those principles.
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. I purposefully attempt to live my life based on the standards and values set forth in the Bible.
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.
Public statements can be seen on my website, social media platforms, and campaign literature.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have been a resident of my community for 27 years raising my three daughters in the community. For 21 of those years I have owned a small, family child-care business. As a child care provider, I have advocated on several occasions for parental rights and other issues in MN legislative hearings. I graduated from Buena Vista University with a BA in Social Work. My career in social work included case management, child development and welfare, crisis intervention and management, domestic abuse, rape crisis, family dynamics, interviewing and negotiations, mental health and dual disorders. I have been active in my church as a ministry ambassador and as a registered emergency medical responder. I have a strong interest and understanding of both the US and Minnesota constitutions. Finally, I am over the age of 21, a U.S. citizen, a resident of MN, and a property owner.
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 in the power of our votes. My vote is my voice. Individual responsibility, involvement and unity around our basic founding principles is our strength, as a community, a state, and a nation.
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.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
According to my reading of the Constitution, the 2nd amendment guarantees an unfettered right to keep and bear arms. I believe there are enough existing laws to protect public safety.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
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?
The issues that voters in my district are listing as their top three areas are, 1) Covid-19 and the education of our youth 2) Safety-law and order-police 3) The state budget deficit. These are things I will work on if elected, and depending on the committees I am assigned to be on.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I do not believe that racism is a domestic security threat in the United States. I also do not believe there is systematic racism with in our institutions in this country. I see racism as being based on individual hearts.
