Garth Strand
Democrat | Kansas
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Garth Strand
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 104
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Kansas State University, Manhattan, BS, 1976
Kansas State University, Manhattan, BS, 1977
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Trinity United Methodist Church, Numerous, VITA
Volunteer Tax Preparer, Wesley Towers Retirement Center, Trustee
Hutchinson Volunteer Center, Volunteer, Reno County Public Bldg Comm
Board member, Kansas Area U.M. Foundation, Trustee & Interim CEO
United Methodist Youthville Found, Trustee
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Kansas Credit Union Coun, 6
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (3)
Kansas AFL-CIO
Kansas Sierra Club
Laura Kelly
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Kansas NEA
Sierra Club
Teamsters Local 795
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Neutral
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.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Abortions should be rare. We need to invest in a culture that minimizes the need. Prior to the fetus being able to survive outside the womb, circumstances agreed upon by the adult mother, adult father (except in the case of rape or incest) and a state licensed physician who does not perform the abortion. In the case of minors, their legal guardian(s) would also be involved. I cannot support abortion once a fetus is deemed to be able to survive outside the womb. However, in rare circumstances it might be necessary. In that case, the same individuals would be involved however a state licensed psychologist and a state licensed social worker would also be required. Circumstances allowing abortions should be measured against other areas where respect for life is in question such as capital punishment, assisted suicide, school shootings, toxic environments, genocide, any warfare that kills non-military persons and others.
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 don't know if this question is about State or Federal spending. I believe there are efficiencies to be gained at both levels. However, after spending a financial career watching business activity, it seems clear to me that businesses that prosper, did not save their way to prosperity. They invested wisely and often heavily. I am all for eliminating ineffective government spending which I believe exists. I do not support cutting expenses to the point of hobbling service to taxpayers.
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.
Disagree
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.
Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
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?
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" It means an individual is free to practice religion as they see fit, as long as it harms no one else.
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?
There is not a single answer but numerous initiatives can move us in that direction: >Health care that focuses on health, not just sickness. >A cleaner environment >Every one is required to participate, similar to Social Security. Insurance works best with the largest possible risk pool. >Means testing for all participants >Accept the fact that some citizens will receive and need, free health care. >Include mental illness and addiction as covered conditions.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
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.
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.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Any person meeting immigration laws put in place by the U.S. Government. Unfortunately, modernizing our immigration laws has been neglected or perhaps more accurately, been the victim of ineffective governance and leadership. My grandparents were immigrants. I believe we are making a grave mistake by not having, enforcing and funding effective and efficient immigration laws that create a clear pathway to citizenship.
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.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have strong Christian beliefs and values driven mostly by the books of the New Testament. However, I consider this a private matter as suggested in the Book of Matthew. Love is the greatest commandment. Jesus had few issues with sinners. He had lots of issues with those who claimed to be holy and know the will of God. This country came to be largely to escape the heavy hand of an intertwined government and religion. We cannot have freedom of religion until we have a government free from religion.
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.
I was CEO of a prosperous financial institution for 28 years. I also provided key leadership in establishing a now successful mortgage banking company.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a B.S. in Education and a B.S. in Business Management and was short about 9 hours of a B.S. in accounting. I had a 37 year career in a highly successful, heavily regulated, community credit union, one of the top 10 by size in the state. I served the last 28 years as CEO. I was active at the state and national level in related trade associations. I was appointed by the Governor and served 6 years on the Kansas Credit Union Council. As President of a not-for-profit, cooperative credit union, I represented and provided equitable value to a diverse membership of over 20,000 members. There are approximately 16,000 registered voters in Kansas House District 104, the seat I am seeking.
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?
This survey seems to be driven by conservative perspectives. I'm ok with that. However, I do not limit myself to only that way of thinking. On some issues yes. On other issues no. I prefer to seek the best solutions, thoughtfully supported by experience, facts, common sense reasoning AND...certainly not tainted by politics.
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.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Running background checks on all gun purchases, prohibiting anyone on the no-fly list from buying a gun, banning individuals with documented mental illness from buying guns, a red-flag-like program, a mandatory waiting period on gun purchases and licensing owners of automatic, semi-automatic / semi-automatic like, high-capacity weapons. None of these steps are in and of themselves a magic solution…but each one can make some incremental improvement.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Medicaid accessibility. Adequately and equitably funding public education. Tax fairness and fiscal responsibility.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racial injustice, economic injustice and social injustice are threats on many fronts, including domestic security.
