Matt Shoemaker
Republican | North Carolina
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matt Shoemaker
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist 13
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
George Washington University, Washington DC, BA, 2010
Mount St Marys University, Emmitsburg MD, MA, 2012
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy, Lieutenant O-3, 5
AFFILIATIONS
Knights of Columbus
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
*Michael Flynn
America First P.A.C.T
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
John Stubbins (media personality)
John Frankman, Former Army Green Beret
Patriot Contract
Constitution Party
America First PACT
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Max Miller (2023)
State Republican Party Organizations (2023)
WinRed (2023)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
WinRed (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
Matt Shoemaker completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
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
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
At the federal level, the federal government should not be providing taxpayer money for people to obtain abortion.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
With the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v Wade, the states are the level at which we should be restricting abortion. The federal government has no business providing access or support for people to obtain abortions.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
1) Remove payroll tax 2) cut capital gains tax 3) remove federal estate tax.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Agree
The taxpayer has zero responsibility to pay off student loans. Universities, however, who have price gouged for decades and have been selling worthless degrees should pay off student loans. If their degrees aren't worth the paper they're written on, universities must cough up the cash. Watch how quickly they lay off woke staff and raise standards when their endowments and bottom line are on the chopping block.
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
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
As the original intent of that phrase from Jefferson in the early 19th century was meant to convey, it means that the government cannot restrict the free exercise of religion in the public square.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I do not see where in the Constitution it states the federal government has the authority to make healthcare decisions for citizens.
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.
I have lived in Europe where healthcare was provided. In the UK it was an abysmal experience waiting hours for emergency care or weeks and possibly months for elective care. The federal government once again does not have the constitutional authority to guarantee medical for citizens.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
C. As a Navy veteran and intelligence officer, I get that we cannot become 100% isolationist but there is no shortage of problems here at home we should focus on first. Homeless veterans are currently lower on the priority list for assistance than illegal immigrants is a travesty in my book.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
China was my area of expertise as an intelligence officer. They pose a serious threat and the first thing we should do is ban all purchase of American land and real estate from the CCP.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. When stationed at CENTCOM, I liaised with IDF service members and developed a great relationship with them. Israel is a great ally because of its shared Western values. They're an important economic partner as well.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
Wokeness in the military. I saw it firsthand on active duty. Box checking and institutionalized thinking numbs anyone who passes through. Additionally, I doubt meeting our gender and diversity targets will terrify an enemy into immediate surrender...
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
100% Yes, 8 days a week. The Biden administration's dereliction of duty on this topic is grounds alone for removing him from office.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I support an Australian immigration system based on merit and who will bring skills and resources to build up the community they settle into rather than taking from it.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
I'd love to know what exactly its $80 billion/year is spent on and what the return on investment is.
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Choose not to answer
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Never.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I spent 3 years in seminary during my graduate school years. My Christian faith is integral to who I am. I live by the passages "by their fruits ye shall know them," and "in all things preach the Gospel and when necessary use words."
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
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
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Natural gas. It is cheap and has the ability to lift millions of people out of poverty. If people have to spend more on energy costs just to heat their homes, that takes money away from them and makes them poorer. It's really that simple economically
ABOUT YOU
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
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
As the framers of the Constitution intended, government exists provide national defense as well as a framework for people to live freely based on their own decisions and choices. That is what freedom and liberty are about.
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.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
My brother is a cop. I defend our police and first responders. I dont defund them.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The second amendment is clear that the right of citizens to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
