Ed Tarver
Democrat | Georgia
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ed Tarver
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
U.S. Senator (Special Election)
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Augusta State University, Augusta, Georgia, B.A., Political Science, 1981
University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, Georgia, J.D., 1991
WORK & MILITARY
Southern District of Georgia, U.S. Attorney, 2009-2017
U.S. Army, Captain, 1982-1989
AFFILIATIONS
Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Chairman, Leadership Georgia Foundation
President and Chairman of Board, Leadership Augusta Board of Directors, Chairman
Academy of Richmond County Boosters Club, President, Coastal Georgia Combined Federal Campaign
Chairman, East Georgia Easter Seals Society, President
Ike and Justine Washington College Scholarship Fdn, Chairman, Augusta Technical College Board of Directors
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Georgia State Senator, 2005-2009
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr., City of Augusta
Senator Harold Jones, District 22
Representative Sheila Clark Nelson, District 125
Representative Brian Prince, District 127
Former Mayor Edna Jackson, City of Savannah
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
ActBlue (2020)
Jennifer (Jen) Jordan (2017)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
ActBlue (2020)
Harold V. Jones II (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Disagree
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.
Disagree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
The government should not legislate women's health decisions or dictate what is best for a woman's own body. Abortion is a medical option in cases when the fetus is no longer viable and in cases of extreme genetic dysmorphism. Additionally, abortion should be an option for women in cases of rape and/or incest.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
As a U.S. Senator, I will introduce legislation that proportionally increases both the amount of social security benefits and the payroll tax over a 20-year period.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
As a U.S. Senator, I will work to end fraud, waste, and abuse in all departments of government and within government programs by (1)implementing internal controls and collecting debts owed to the government; (2)ending mass incarceration through the use of technology-based alternatives for non-violent offenders; and (3)ending tax breaks and subsidies for big oil, gas, and coal companies.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
Student loan debt should be forgiven for individuals with household incomes of $100,000 or less who have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited two- or four-year for-profit or public college or university, including those in default.
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
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?
"Separation of church and state"is the principle that government and religion, including churches and religious organizations, should not be intertwined. Under this doctrine, the government is prohibited from interfering with an individual's right to practice religion or religious group. Churches and religions are precluded, by law, from endorsing candidates for political office and engaging in political campaign activity under the guise of a religious event or service.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Agree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I embrace the framework and structure of the Affordable Care Act and support a Medicaid-like alternative for qualified Americans without healthcare.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
The United States should aggressively work to eliminate terrorist cells and apprehend supporters of terrorism in the U.S., coordinate with allies to dismantle extremist networks worldwide, and use available technology to identify, track, and eliminate funding and resources to terrorist organizations.
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
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
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
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
People who seek the promises and opportunties of the American Dream, who enter the United States legally or pursuant to special conditions, and who do not pose a national security or public safety risk should be allowed to immigrate.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Agree
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 The Father, The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ (son of God, in the flesh) as being the Triune Godhead. I believe in the power of prayer and communion with God. My faith requires me to trust in and rely on the Word of God and its guiding principles direct how I look at life, how I treat people, and how I conduct myself at home, work, and play. My faith requires me to respect humanity and intentionally pursue the fulfilling of my purpose by utilizing the talent I have been graced with by 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?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
As a Georgia state senator, I worked in a bipartisan fashion to champion issues supporting Georgians from diverse backgrounds and localities across our state. I sponsored or co-sponsored 123 Senate bills and resolutions, including legislation to protect veterans, individuals with disabilities, and consumers.
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 have a record of committed, distinguished service in my local community and at the state and federal levels of government. My record of service as a U.S. Army veteran, federal judicial law clerk, a practicing attorney, state legislator, and United States Attorney, has allowed me to gain valuable experience that will enable me to advocate in the best interests of Georgians on Day One.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I support the following restrictions on gun ownership: (1) Prohibit the use of high capacity magazines and clips (2) Ban military-style assault weapons, machine guns, and machine pistols (3) Restrict the use of high velocity armour piercing ammunition (4) Adoption of red flag laws (5) Uniform federal background checks
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Agree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Agree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Economic and Public Finance 2. Criminal Justice and Civil Rights and Liberties 3. Agriculture and Natural Resources
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a threat to domestic security in the United States. Studies conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice and leading experts show that systemic racism contributes to social and economic disparities in the administration of justice and liberty,government and national security that can lead to spontaneous and organized protests, other acts of civil disobedience and challenges to the legitimacy of public authority. In some instances, peaceful protestors, exercising their constitutional rights, have also been harmed or killed.
