Michael Testa Jr.
Republican | New Jersey
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael Testa Jr.
Party
Republican
Election Year
2021
Election
General
Race
Senate Dist. 1
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Villanova University, Villanova, PA, B.A. Psychology
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, Villanova, PA, J.D.
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, LL.M.
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Cumberland County, Downtown Vineland Improvement District
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
New Jersey State Senate, 2
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*Family Policy Alliance of New Jersey
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Chris Christie (2016)
Frank LoBiondo (2014)
Thomas Kean Jr (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Chris Christie (2021)
GOPAC (2019)
Liberty Fund NJ (2019)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
Republican Chairman's Associations (2019)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Robert Menendez (2006)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
American Association for Justice (2021)
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (2021)
International Union of Operating Engineers (2021)
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.
Strongly 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?
I believe in exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is at risk.
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
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Trenton Democrats' tax and spend agenda is crippling the middle class and hard working families of New Jersey. It is well past-time we fight and advocate for “taxpayer justice” by eliminating pork spending in our budget, fighting to lower property taxes by reforming our school funding formula, and fixing our broken state pension system.
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.
Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly 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?
The concept of a “separation of church and state” reinforces the constitutional right of a citizen to freely express their faith, without fear of government coercion. Free exercise means you may practice a faith and you may live it.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Trenton and Washington politicians should not have their hands on healthcare. Our government is too ineffective and bureaucratic to ensure citizens are receiving quality, affordable healthcare. In order to begin reforming healthcare I support, promoting competition between health insurance and pharmaceutical companies, reforming the Medicare payment system, and establishing clear standards of care.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
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.
Agree
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?
Anyone who abides by our immigration laws and travels to the United States the right way should have the ability to become a US citizen and a part of the American family.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that 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.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Every citizen is guaranteed the right to practice their religion/faith freely without interference from the government and others. We need to make sure as legislators that we do everything in our power to preserve that sacred right.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I have been fighting for the New Jersey taxpayer against Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats radical liberal policies since 2019. It has been a great honor to serve as a conservative check on the nonsensical policies coming from State St. in Trenton. For more information, please visit my campaign website.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
New Jersey State Senator (2019-Present) I am a graduate of Villanova University School of Law and received my Masters at Temple University Beasley School of Law. At age 26, I was named Board Chairman of the Vineland Downtown Improvement District/Main Street Vineland. I am a proud member of the Greater Vineland Chapter of the NAACP, and Past Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland and Salem counties.
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?
N/A
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.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No Answer
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
By removing guns from the hands of those who are mentally unstable or threaten public safety from having a prior record, we can ensure that citizens remain protected. However, we should not further restrict the constitutional right to bear arms of law abiding citizens.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Reducing bloated government spending, taxes, and debt, protecting gun rights for law abiding citizens, and investing in South Jersey healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Every citizen is granted equal protection under the law, racism is a grave threat to such a premise and thus a threat to domestic security in the United States.
