Jason Heitkamp
Non-Partisan | North Dakota
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jason Heitkamp
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
Supt. of Public Instruction
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
North Dakota State University, Fargo, BS, 1987
WORK & MILITARY
N/A
AFFILIATIONS
N/A
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
City Council Bottineau, North Dakota, less than 1
City Council Prairie Rose, North Dakota, 4
Richland County Commissioner, 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
N/A
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
N/A
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Theresa Greenfield (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
QUESTIONNAIRE*
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
This question has nothing to do with the position that I am running for and I will do everything I can do to help people with any questions or concerns they may have. My views on this subject are mine and have no basis for this position.
What role should the school serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy?
The schools are controlled by the school board that is voted on by the public. They have local control. It is not in the purview of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to be involved in this situation.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings or court houses.
Neutral
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill authorizing public school teachers to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms, protecting teachers from potential lawsuits that might arise from doing so. The bill, SB 2308, was passed with broad support from both the GOP-majority state Senate and House. The legislature passes laws in Century Code and it is the job of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to follow the law.
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
As Superintendent of Public Instruction, we will follow the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.
Teachers should be required to instruct students on mandated curriculum even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
As Superintendent of Public Instruction, we will side on the ability of parents and guardians of minor children to not have their moral and/or religious beliefs violated.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
As a citizen of North Dakota and the United States of America, I believe that a good relationship with Israel is important. I do not believe this question has anything to do with the Race for Superintendent of Public Instruction for North Dakota.
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
As a citizen of North Dakota and the United States of America, I believe that the best way to maintain peace is through a strong military. I do not believe this question has anything to do with the Race for Superintendent of Public Instruction for North Dakota.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Neutral
It is the job of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to make sure that all tools are available to help the students be successful in life after school. It is not the job description of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to insure that everyone has a livable income.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
The state of North Dakota is to provide K-12 education. The state of North Dakota can provide Secondary Education with tuition. The State of North Dakota cannot use property tax to pay its obligations. That is in the North Dakota Constitution. When I am Superintendent of Public Instruction, we will follow the law.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
The evidence shows that the US Department of Education has not helped create smarter students since its inception during the Jimmy Carter presidency.
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child instead of the bureaucracy, through a program which allows parents the freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Neutral
If that is what the parents want and they pass a law to that effect, my role as Superintendent of Public Instruction will be to make sure that this mandate is brought to fruition.
Which type of written parental consent should be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE)? (A) Opt-In. (B) Opt-Out. (C) None.
Opt-in.
Abortion and gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Disagree
A bill was passed in North Dakota that states that any institution entering into a contract with “a person that performs or promotes the performance of an abortion” would have its operating budget cut by 2.5%. Additionally, the school official signing such a contract could face a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine. As Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will follow the law.
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): American History, Art & Music, Civics, Critical Race Theory, Foreign Language, Gender Identity, Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Political Activism, Science, Sexuality, Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning
Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Civics. Those would be the top priorities under my administration. Personal finances need to be taught as that is the law in North Dakota. Physical Fitness, Science, vocational learning and American History are very important and need to be taught also. Art and Music, foreign language, and information technology would be good electives to take. CRT has been banned by Century Code in North Dakota.
2ND AMENDMENT
Faculty who are licensed to carry and have had ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school in order to respond to an active shooter situation.
Strongly Agree
The safety of the children is and should always be #1.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
None. Parents should have the final say.
ABOUT YOU
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
Choose not to answer
My vote is sacred and is no one's business.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
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
My dad was a John F. Kennedy Democrat. I believe that John F. Kennedy was conservative in his philosophy. I spent much time with my dad while I was growing up and feel that I am a conservative just like he was. I was very proud of my father, and he was very proud to have voted for me when I ran for Richland County Commissioner. He told me he voted for me; I did not ask him as that was his business.
VALUES
Children have the right to be protected from sexual grooming including drag shows, explicit materials in schools and libraries, and other public venues.
Strongly Agree
Protection and Safety of the Children is job #1.
Marriage between one man and one woman and the families they form are the foundation of civilization and are fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of society.
Strongly Agree
The Government should not be involved in Marriage, period. I do believe that teaching the foundation of civilization would be a great subject for all students to understand.
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Neutral
Only a person with credentials to give a diagnosis can give a diagnosis. Why would the Superintendent of Public Instruction be involved with a case such as this? If a child is having issues that need to be addressed by professionals, then the parents should take the student to a professional to get the help needed.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
As Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will do the job as per the Oath I take to North Dakota Constitution and the United States Constitution. I will fulfill all aspects of the job per the job description. Spirituality at work goes beyond mere inward bliss, Spirituality involves finding intellectual meaning, emotional connection, and awe-inducing wonder in what you do. These are my values as I look forward to serving the children, the parents, the grandparents, the teachers, and the taxpayers of this state.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voting is the most important part of our Republic. If you need an ID to buy beer, cigarettes, cash a check, etc., then you can surely show your ID to vote.
EQUALITY
I support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Strongly Disagree
The danger posed by D.E.I. resides primarily not in these virtuous ends but in the unconstitutional means chosen to advance them. As Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will follow the United States Constitution and the North Dakota Constitution.
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
There are two genders on this question, biological male and biological female. If you want men participating in sports with women, it is called co-ed.
