Jean Bartz
Independent | Wisconsin
Candidate Profile
Liberal (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jean Bartz
Party
Independent
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
Repr. to the Assembly, Dist. 41
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
UW Oshkosh, Oshkosh, BA, 2010
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Neutral
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Disagree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
We all want to see less women feeling the need to choose abortion, but legislating American's bodies is not an appropriate solution. If the goal is to reduce abortion rates, we can't just pass a law and expect it to solve the problem. We need to reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancy. By providing access to affordable birth control, appropriate and comprehensive sexual health education, and support, resources, and education about adoption, we can reduce the rates of abortion in our society.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Neutral
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Neutral
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Neutral
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
We need a combination of personal responsibility and supportive services. We need to build the system so that it empowers individuals to come off the system - having work or training/education requirements for CERTAIN households on government programs; allowing families to have affordable child care so that they can work without spending exorbitant amounts of their paycheck on child care, etc. Also; having affordable training programs in trade fields and apprenticeships, making technical training affordable and accessible, and changing the narrative that college is the best choice and should be regarded higher than a two year degree or work experience. I've struggled in my career to hire qualified and skilled candidates at my company and would love to see more internship and training opportunities offered in high school to allow young adults to build those skills that are so badly needed.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
I'd like to see a balanced approach between working to stabilize industries and bolster sectors/people that are consistently suffering (farmers, workers of color, etc) and allowing a free and competitive market to drive innovation and affordability. In a time like now, with the economy suffering due to an event like COVID, the government should work to keep our small businesses afloat and workers safe. Updating computer hardware from the 1970s to allow for quicker processing of unemployment claims; making sure that paperwork for programs like PPP are not overly cumbersome and that small business owners have resources for help with it; etc seem like reasonable steps. I am not an economist, however, and would rely on experts to help guide decisions that would best benefit my district.
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
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Neutral
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
The Federal Poverty Level for a family of 4 in Wisconsin is about $26k per year. Expanding Medicaid to 133% of the FPL would bring that to $35k per year. An expansion like is completely reasonable and would allow some 80,000 more low income individuals to be eligible for health care. More covered means less risk for providers and paves the way for lower costs for all. Right now, the focus is so heavy on saving taxpayer money, which is a good thing, but we need to focus on educating the voters about these specific details. There’s a perception that people who don’t need Medicaid would qualify for it and the cost would be astronomical, but this is not accurate. On a federal level, I'd like to see the cost of drugs like insulin addressed. No one should have to choose between a life saving drug and food or rent.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
IMMIGRATION
I support sanctuary cities.
Neutral
EDUCATION
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
No Answer
George Washington's comment that “Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society” is still true today.
Neutral
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Neutral
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Agree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Agree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
America's Founders understood the dangers of having governmental powers consolidated into the hands of individual people or families; they'd lived through the injustices and persecution it engendered. As they say, absolute power corrupts absolutely. It makes sense to have checks and balances. Free reign inevitably breeds complacency and the lure of power is strong. Our Founders understood that and created a system to help prevent a backsliding into nepotism, autocracy, and monarchy.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and believe not only in God, but that Jesus died for our sins. Faith is very personal to me and I hold it close. It guides my actions and optimism. It is the main reason for several of my beliefs; that all people are equal, that the death penalty is immoral (for only God should judge who deserves death), that love is love, that we should treat each other with respect even when we disagree, and that tolerance and moderation are not evil traits. I don't believe that my faith or beliefs should dictate the actions of others. Their faith and beliefs are for them to decide and for God (whomever you hold that to be) to judge in the end. Treat those around you with kindness, respect, and love, for it is not on us to pass judgement.
ABOUT YOU
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2012 Democratic Primary, 2012 General Election, 2014 Democratic Primary, 2014 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2018 Republican Primary, 2018 General Election
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?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Socially I lean more left and fiscally I lean more right. Several answers on this questionnaire had me choosing neutral because of this. Do I believe life begins at conception? Yes. Do I believe we should legislate women's bodies? No. Do I believe it is government's responsibility to provide a livable income to all? No, it's on people to be responsible. But for those who can't work or those that are oppressed, government needs to step in. Do I believe government needs to ensure health insurance for all? Not quite, but it is in everyone's best interest for more people to be insured. Do I agree that the best path to peace is through a strong military? Sort of - but diplomacy must play an equal part. Do I agree with mandatory minimum sentences for violent crimes? Depends on the definition of violent crimes being used. I believe in compromise and moderation - we are not always going to get what we want in exactly the way we want, so we need to work together to find compromise.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
With how extreme our politics have gotten recently, I truly believe that my moderation, non-judgmental attitude, persistent optimism, ability to listen and learn even from those I disagree with, and my 10+ year experience in negotiation and mediation will come in very handy. My goal is to ensure that ALL of the people in my district are represented, not just those who identify with the "winning" party. As an Independent, and a moderate, I can ensure that every single voter in my district gets a voice in their state government, for I will listen to every single voter. Then I will bring that information and those opinions to Madison and work tirelessly to bring common sense, respect, progress, and accountability back to our government.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
jean@bartzforassembly.com 608-678-7545
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
If ever there is a need for an Independent as your Representative, this is it! The partisan bickering continues and it's you and I who suffer for it. As a moderate Independent, I will work every day to ensure that ALL of the people in my district are represented, even if you and I may disagree on certain topics. I will not ignore you or write you off for having a different opinion. We DESERVE a Representative who will focus on the people, ignoring the partisan agendas and games. My goal is not to advance my political career nor to be the most powerful in the legislature. My goal is to be a faithful public servant to the people who elect me, always remembering that YOU, the voter, the People, are my boss.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Strongly Disagree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Disagree
