Erik Peterson
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
Erik Peterson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2021
Election
General
Race
Assembly Dist. 23
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
North Carolina State U, Raleigh, BS, 1988
Temple U. School of Law, Philadelphia, JD, 1996
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Pedals for Progress, Past Board Member, Hunterdon County United Way
Past Board Member, Milford Lions Club, Member
Knights of Columbus, Member, Hunterdon County Young Republicans
Past President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Hunterdon County Freeholder, 2006-2009
NJ General Assembly, 2009-Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2018-19
A
2019
100%
2019
85%, 96% (cum.)†
2018-19
|A
2019
|85%, 96% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2019
|36%, 38% (cum.)†
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
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
NRA - A rating
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Jay Webber (2018)
Leonard Lance (2008)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly 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?
When the life of the mother 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.
Strongly Disagree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
In any bloated organization like the State or Federal budget you could, without any material impact, cut spending across the board 5-10%. I support a balanced budget amendment at the Federal level and limit borrowing (New Jersey has a balanced budget requirement). In New Jersey, I would eliminate the prevailing wage requirement which increases the cost of government infrastructure project 2X or more. Also, I would eliminate funding to democrat party front groups including Planned Parenthood.
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.
Strongly 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.
Strongly Agree
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?
Government does not, directly or indirectly, establish a national religion that everyone must follow.
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?
I would eliminate government intervention into the health insurance industry and allow health insurance companies to provide policies tailored to an individual's needs which would reduce the cost. New Jersey's tried "Obama Care" for car insurance resulting in unaffordable car insurance and uninsured motorist. New Jersey eliminated its version of "Obama Care" for cars and car insurance prices dropped dramatically and car insurance cost is no longer a political issue in New Jersey.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly 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.
Strongly 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.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I support an orderly and efficient immigration process. I think we as a country have the right to determine who enters our country based on their desire to become good citizens and their ability to become productive members of our society. We should not cater to corporate interests that want open borders so they can exploit people as cheap labor.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Conservative Roman Catholic. I start and end each day with prayer and read the bible everyday.
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.
You can validate my responses by reviewing my voting record on the New Jersey Legislative website.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a middle class husband, father of four, small business owner that understands first hand the impact government has on middle class families. Both in my law practice and as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, I spend every day advising and representing and fighting for middle class families who want to make sure that the American dream, that your kids will do better than you, will remain a reality for their kids and grandkids.
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 believe the fundamental principles that our country was founded, That every individual is equal in the eyes of GOD and should be treated equally by the government. That GOD endowed each of us with unalienable rights which we have given some of those rights to the government in order to have an orderly and just society. That we the people have a right to take back those rights as we, collectively, deem appropriate. Based on these principles the government, including all elected officials and bureaucrats, work for the people not the other way around. As a middle class husband, father and small business owner, I will stand up for, and never turn my back on, the middle class. I will always stand up for freedom and the American Dream for my kids, your kids and all of our grandkids.
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.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Instant background check.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
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?
I believe in freedom and individual rights. I am currently drafting legislation to prohibit vaccine passports. I am working on tax reduction legislation. I am drafting legislation that would require the automatic sunset of any tax so that the legislature would have to re-evaluate all taxes every five years. Currently, in New Jersey, we have taxes which were to be dedicated to a specific purpose that are being diverted to other uses. If the tax is no longer needed, it should be eliminated. I am working on parents' rights legislation which would give parents the right to opt their children out of curriculum they find objectionable or inappropriate for their children.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I do not think racism is a domestic security threat. I do not think the USA is a racist country and I think all most all Americans abhor racism. I believe we should go back to teaching the Golden Rule given to us by Jesus, "All things .... that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them" or in modern parlence "Love thy neighbor as you love yourself".
