Robert Clements
Non-Partisan | Nebraska
Candidate Profile*
Verified Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Robert Clements
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
Member of the Legislature, Dist. 2
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Math, 1973
WORK & MILITARY
Business Men's Assurance, Kansas City MO, Actuary, 1973-1978
American Exchange Bank, Elmwood NE, Banker, 1979-2022
Clements Insurance Agency, Elmwood NE, Agent, 1979-2022
Preparer, Clements & Drevo Tax Preparation, Elmwood, NE, 1979/2022
AFFILIATIONS
Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation, President, Sons of the American Legion Post 247
Adjutant and Bugler
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Senator, District 2, 2017 to 2022
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2021
96%, 87% (cum.)†
2021-2022
85%
2021
|96%, 87% (cum.)†
2021-2022
|85%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (2)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom
OTHER (2)
*Lincoln Independent Business Association Political Action Committee
*Nebraska Farm Bureau
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Governor Pete Ricketts
Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley
Speaker Mike Hilgers
Mayor Paul Lambert, Plattsmouth
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (8)
Adrian Smith (2022)
Benjamin Sasse (2014)
Don Bacon (2020)
Jeff Fortenberry (2022)
Mike Flood (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (20)
Adrian Smith (2018)
Black Hills Corporation (2018)
Charles Herbster (2018)
Don Stenberg (2018)
Jim Scheer (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Heath Mello (2018)
OTHER INFORMATION
Party affiliation- Republican
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Only to save the life of the mother, rarely, in case of medical emergency.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I voted for Nebraska's Title X ban on state funds for abortion in 2017.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Limit increases on local property taxes. Reduce Inheritance Taxes Reduce Income Taxes.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would reduce Medicaid benefits for able bodied people with jobs.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
I have supported state funded scholarships for college and community college, internships and apprenticeships..
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I believe in the Constitutional guaranteed right of freedom of religion.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Under no circumstances, per the Constitutional freedom of religion.
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C} Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer funded programs. The Affordable Care Act greatly increased health insurance costs, caused people to lose their plans and lose their doctors.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Under no circumstances. Medical procedures are an individual decision. Vaccination exemptions must be allowed.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Maintain a well equipped and trained military. Supply aid to friendly Middle Eastern countries. Protect our borders from illegal entry.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
Until the Palestinian authorities reverse their pledge to eliminate Israel, we should protect and support Israel.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
We need to stop illegal immigration for National Security. The open border invites drug trafficking, human trafficking, criminals, terrorists and pandemic spreaders.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Refugees of war and famine. Also people who are not criminals or terrorists or diseased. Our immigration procedures should be followed by immigrants who want to become American Citizens.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support continued funding of public education while allowing for choice for low income families and students needing different teaching styles.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Our founding fathers based our Constitution and form of government on biblical principles. They knew that individual freedom relies on personal responsibility and self control. Laws will control the law abiding, but not the lawless.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
All persons should be treated with equal respect. Special rights for some will mean less rights for others.
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
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
The prejudices of a few should not be blamed on everyone else.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe God is alive, and the Bible is true. The bible says all humans are born sinful and need to believe in Jesus Christ as savior to receive eternal life. I believe society functions best by following biblical principles.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voter ID is necessary to secure elections and ensure that every person's vote matters. Most Western countries require Voter ID.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Require voter ID. Only allow mail in voting after a signed ballot request, and ballot signature validation. Prohibit private funding of election process. Require ballot drop boxes to be securely monitored and.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Not in general. There are some problem areas, but not nation wide. Racial motivated attacks by citizens and police must be prosecuted to maintain domestic security.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
All people should be treated equally with respect, but current members of society should not be held responsible for past wrongs.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A). Until all countries agree to change, excessive environmental regulations only hurt the U.S.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
I have not seen problems with fracking. U.S. energy independence is a necessity for national security.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government should enforce laws and ensure public safety by locking up criminals. Government should fund roads, K-12 education, and help those unable to help themselves.
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
I support limited government, strong military, religious liberty, and laws that follow the U.S.Constitution as written.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
My Legislative voting record for six sessions is public information. I have voted against bills to expand government (Medicaid expansion), bills which restrict religious freedom. I have voted for 2nd amendment gun bills. I wrote and passed a reduction in the Nebraska Inheritance Tax.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
NO.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
My family is very important to me. My wife's support is essential in my decision to serve. I prioritize bills that will solve problems for people, but won't expand government.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
Individual violations of police department policies should be punished.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
Police forces need to be adequate to protect law abiding citizens. Other funds should be used for mental health needs.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Only convicted Felons and unstable mentally ill should be restricted from gun ownership.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
The person who commits the violence is responsible, not the dealer or manufacturer.
