Deborah Jackson
Democrat | Georgia
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Deborah Jackson
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
U.S. Senator (Special Election)
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, PhD, 2009
Rutgers Univ. School of Law, Newark, JD, 1977
Princeton University, Princeton, AB, 1974
WORK & MILITARY
DAJ Associates LLC, CEO, 2002-
Georgia State University, PT Instructor, 2019-2020
AFFILIATIONS
CrossRoadsNews Foundation, President, DLA Community and Education Fund, Inc.
Founding President, DeKalb CASA, Volunteer
Georgia Municipal Association, At-Large Board Member, DeKalb Municipal Association
President, DeKalb Lawyers Association, President
Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, Board Member, GABWA
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Mayor, City of Lithonia, 2012-2020
Council Member, City of Lithonia, 2009-2011
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
GA State Representative, 2002
Mayor, Lithonia, 2008
Race
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (2015)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
No Answer
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Did not answer
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.
Did not answer
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Decisions about reproduction need to be made by the woman with information by her medical doctor.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Did not answer
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Did not answer
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
Given the declining working population that pays into the Social Security system, it may be necessary to revise the formula of who pays into system and revising the wage cap. Social Security is an important part of the retirement income for the majority of US workers. Consideration should be given to ways to increase the level of benefits received by retirees while ensuring benefits for future retirees.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The budget can be balanced by restoring the 2017 tax cuts that were enacted and only benefited a small segment of very wealthy taxpayers.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
The current programs that provide for a reduction of student loan debt for public service in teaching, for example, should be expanded.
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.
Did not answer
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Did not answer
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Did not answer
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
From a legal perspective, separation of church and state has generally meant that government will not impose any rules or restrictions on the practice of religious beliefs or lack thereof. However, there is not a specific reference to the concept in the US Constitution.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Did not answer
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Did not answer
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
The starting premise needs to be that adequate, affordable and accessible healthcare is a basic right. There are several proposals that exist such as expansion of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare for All, or a full public option. The initial approach may be to restore and expand the Affordable Care Act while other options are reviewed to determine the best result to ensure coverage.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Did not answer
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
The United States needs to develop a strategy that addresses all forms of terrorism, both domestic and foreign. The strategy may differ depending on the source of the threat.
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.
No Answer
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Did not answer
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.
Did not answer
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Did not answer
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
There should be a clear, reasonable and fair immigration policy and process that allows persons interested in visiting, working or studying in the US to enter. For work-related visas, there should be some balance to ensure that US citizens are afforded employment opportunities or the opportunity to be trained if there are shortages in certain areas.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Did not answer
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Did not answer
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Did not answer
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
The verse from Micah 6:8 is a good summary of my spiritual beliefs and values. The verse states "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
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?
No Answer
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I believe that part of the challenge we have as a country is that there is too much emphasis on categorizing people into boxes rather than having open and honest discussions to find solutions to the various problems that impact people's lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the flaws with many of the previous policies whether they have been viewed as liberal or conservative.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
I have never been charged with any criminal act.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I believe that it is important for citizens to have opportunities to make their concerns known as well as present solutions to address the challenges our communities face. I believe it is important to listen and share information so that we have an engaged citizenry.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Did not answer
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Assault weapons should be limited for military use. There should be some required training for gun ownership to help protect and promote public safety.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Did not answer
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Did not answer
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Did not answer
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Did not answer
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Support for small farmers and urban agricultural initiatives through increased funding for capital development and technical assistance to help address the issues of food insecurity and hunger. 2. Support for small businesses through increased funding for capital development and technical assistance to promote local economic development and job creation initiatives. 3. Protection of voting rights and the elimination of barriers if the current pending legislation to restore parts of the Voting Rights Act has not been passed.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
The continuing systemic or institutional racism is a threat to the human dignity of all US citizens, and particularly its victims. This form of racism perpetuates inequality in all areas of civic and economic life and needs to be addressed to make the country whole and help it heal from the original sin of enslavement.
