Michael Lovely
Democrat | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Liberal (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael Lovely
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 16
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, BA, 2001
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Indiana Association of Student Councils, Executive Director, Indiana State Teachers Association
Member, Kankakee Valley Teachers Association, Member, form Executive Board Member
Food Finders, Volunteer, Jasper County 4-H Council
Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Laborers' Local 41
United Steelworkers District 7
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.
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 life of the mother is in danger, or in the case of rape or incest of a minor.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
In Indiana, we have a surplus of funds. We as a State are fiscally conservative. I don't know that I would cut spending. Perhaps, we don't allow the governor to complete pet projects without the approval of the legislature.
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 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 Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Neutral
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 may not interfere with places of worship. Likewise, the Church has no interference in the government.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Agree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Establish a cap on healthcare costs, government provided supplemental insurance, separate employer-provided insurance as a way to obtain insurance, establish minimal insurance coverage for all that is affordable. Healthcare is a fundamental human right and should be made available to everyone.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Disagree
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 Disagree
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.
Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
The United States is a melting pot of people from all over the globe. Our country was founded by people who descended from immigrants. I do not believe we should close our borders to anyone. Immigrants should be able to support themselves and not rely on social/government programs to survive. However, those that are seeking asylum, should be allowed to immigrate. We should have better social service programs that help immigrants integrate with American culture and society.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
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.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God and have accepted Jesus as my savior. I believe in living my life according to Jesus' teachings; kindness, love thy neighbor, accept others despite their differences, and to be a good person.
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?
Somewhat Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
This is my first time running for office, so I have no public information available for that. I'm not running for a Federal Office, so issues like immigration and foreign policy aren't issues that will be my primary focus.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I've been a high school teacher for almost a decade. I have been a director of an Indiana 501(c)(3) non-profit for eight years. My experience in the classroom and working with a non-profit have given me the skills I need to listen to all perspectives, find compromise, to work together, and to make some hard decisions that need to be made.
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'm a fourth generation family farmer, teacher, and a volunteer. I'm a hard worker and I'm ready to go to work for the constituents of my district. I will work across party lines to make the most difference in the lives of my constituents. We all deserve the best life possible. We need leadership that will listen to every voice in this district and not just represent the ruling party. The only way we can move our district and our State forward, is to do it together.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
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?
No
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Agree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Halt all tax-payer funds to all private and charter schools until they are held to the same evaluation and auditing as public schools. 2. Livable wage for everyone in the state of Indiana. 3. Partnerships with local governments in order to revitalize communities that are struggling to keep their population. Finding ways to attract a new population to keep their communities growing and healthy economically.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I don't see it as a major threat, but when there are racially motivated attacks on places of worship, or attacks on peaceful protesters it certainly is a threat.
