Michael J. Petersen
Republican | Utah
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael J. Petersen
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 2
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Utah State University, Logan, PhD, 2012
Brigham Young Universtiy, Provo, M.Ed., 1981
Brigham Young University, Provo, B.A., 1987
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Utah State Representative, 2021 - current
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2022
100%
2022
86%, 89% (cum.)†
2022
86%
2023
75%
2022
|86%, 89% (cum.)†
2022
|86%
2023
|75%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2022
|63%
2023
|27%
2023
|F
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Casey Snider (2024)
House Speaker Leadership PAC (2024)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2024)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In the rare circumstances of rape or incest, or if the health/life of mother is at risk.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Agree
They should only be prescribed for the rare circumstances of rape or incest, or if the health/life of mother is at risk.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
I strongly believe in the sanctity of life and do not believe it is our choice to end life.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I oppose minimum wage laws.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Under no circumstances should the government close schools. When Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptist Association he reminded them, and us, that "there is a separation between church and state." When taken in context of the entire letter, we understand that unlike those who believe there should be no religion in government, Jefferson was assuring us that government would never interfere with one's ability to practice religion.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Taxpayer funded heath care should be phased out and eventually eliminated.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Under rare circumstances should anyone be coerced into being vaccinated. Even healthcare workers should be given a choice.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The relationship between the United States and Israel is multifaceted, encompassing strategic, military, cultural, and political dimensions. This enduring partnership is based on shared interests and values, as well as a history of cooperation dating back to Israel's establishment in 1948.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe that all human beings are created in the image of God and that each has a divine nature and destiny. I believe that God loves each of His children and that He desires to have us live with Him again. I believe we will one day stand accountable before him.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I do not believe racism to be a threat to domestic security. People who focus on racism are a threat to the survival of our republic.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. They also undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear energy has the potential of being the most reliable energy source for the world.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The general purpose of government is to safeguard liberty.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Personal protection is a God-given right. Only in rare circumstances should gun ownership be resticted.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
