Mark Johnson
Republican | Arkansas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Johnson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 17
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas, BA, 1975
WORK & MILITARY
Arkansas Department of Local Services, Director, 1981-1983
AFFILIATIONS
Pulaski County Republican Committee, Chairman, Arkansas Republican County Chairmen's Association
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Arkansas State Senator, 2019-2022
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
none
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2021
|100%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (4)
Alan Clark
Jason Rapert
Mike Huckabee
Ricky Hill
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator Jason Rapert, Senator Alan Clark, Senator Ricky Hill, Senator Gary Stubblefield, Representative Rick Beck, Representative Stephen Meeks, Representative David Ray, Representative Keith Brooks
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
French Hill (2014)
Jason Rapert (2012)
State Republican Party Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe that abortion should only be allowed to save the life of the mother.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive 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
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I prefer a flatter income tax rate, with an exclusion on the first amount earned. President Reagan moved us in that direction, but the rate has creeped up since that time. All taxes should have a sunset date, requiring Congress to review and take action for them to continue. This increases accountability.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
A cap on government spending, perhaps 20-25 percent of total GDP, is the only way to balance budget. I support an Article V convention to enact such a measure, with specific exemption for war and limited other emergencies (NOT COVID!).
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Higher education should be forced to lower their prices. Too much fluff and administration causes high costs. Student loan debt is a national scandal, and much of it was simply increasing the budget for colleges and universities. Vocational training should be a part of educational assistance, whatever it may be.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None. This is a violation of the First Amendment. COVID has shown us that any excuse can be used to justify violation of Constitutional rights.
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 should be restricted to truly needy, and the Obamacare expansion should be rolled back. Everyone, except the truly needy, should have "skin in the game" and have to pay some form of premiums and co-pays.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I oppose COVID vaccine mandates. I could possibly agree to a requirement for long-time tested vaccines (e.g., polio, smallpox, etc.) The rush to require COVID vaccines is far outside those parameters, and thus I oppose. There should be generous exemptions for those with religious, medical, or moral objections.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Continue to keep the bad guys locked up in Guantanamo. Use our economic sanctions against those countries which export terrorism. STOP letting people easily emigrate from terrorist nations.
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
Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel have full civic equality. Israel is still a Jewish state, and has the right to defend itself against anti-semitic actions.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The Wall is the answer.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who follow the established guidelines, and who agree to assimilate. U.S. citizenship for immigrants is a privilege, not a right. I respect and support our naturalized citizens who followed the rules.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
This is just about the silliest thing I have ever observed in my life!
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
Government's role should be to secure this right.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Our imperfect union, is the best hope for all races of the world. It recognizes the basic dignity and equality of all mankind.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe that there is a God, and that He has a plan for our world if we seek His truth. And I believe that he sent his only son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. John 3-16 sums it up.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Only LEGAL voters should vote. The only reason to oppose voter ID is to cheat.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Severely curtail early voting (one week or less). Notarization of absentee ballots. Get the Federal Government out of voting laws (including Motor Voter). Make election corruption a felony with severe penalties.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. Because with all our flaws, we are still the most fair-minded and free country in the world. Yes, there is racism. And other forms of prejudice, too. But far less than in most every other country in the world.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Agree
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. We have made significant progress on environmental issues. But now the leftists use this to cripple our nation, at the expense of jobs, energy independence, and common sense.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Rights come from God. Government exists to protect and secure these rights. Its just powers only come with the consent of the people. (see Declaration of Independence)
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?
Conservative
I'm tempted to say "very conservative", but I have some libertarian tendencies. I believe in the individual, but I believe that public morality is necessary to secure the rights of all.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Can't actually think of anything specific. My voting record is very clear on pro-life, Second Amendment, low taxes, and other measures. I expect an A+ rating this year from the NRA, and my score with Arkansas Family Council and Arkansas Right to Life is at the top.
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?
I believe in fundamental principles, Jeffersonian Republicanism, and the Constitutional view of division of powers. States created the Federal Government, as well as the local government. States are the primary unit of government - not a hierarchy with the Federal Government at the top.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
Police should be backed and protected. However, if they truly abuse that protection they should be held accountable in an even greater level than other citizens. Nothing is worse than abuse of power by officials, under the color of law.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
We need mental health and community programs. We have gone overboard in this area, and now are often coddling criminals.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe that "shall not be infringed" means exactly what it says. The COVID response to curtailing individual liberties is indicative of what happens when exceptions are made to Constitutional rights. Only through specific due process should anyone lose their natural rights.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Again - totally absurd!
