Jeff Coleman
Republican | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jeff Coleman
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary and Spec. Elec. - Senate Dist 5
Race
Lt. Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, BA, 1999
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 66th District, 2001-2004
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
State Republican Party Organizations (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I've always believed that beginning the conversation with a list of exceptions undermines the goal of protecting every life—at all stages. While there may be rare instances where a mother's right to her own life supersedes those of the child she carries, the effort to extend constitutional protections to preborn children should begin as a universal, civil right for all.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
As a state legislator, I supported legislation to end taxpayer subsidies of abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. State governor activism should reflect the goal of helping pregnant women during and after pregnancy.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
It is difficult to overstate not only the individual tragedy but the moral hazard of society normalizing suicide in antiseptic terms. Assisted suicide and euthenasia proposals undermine the value and dignity of those who live with disabilities, and renders human suffering pointless and cruel. The hope of the Christian faith redeems all suffering, disease, and tragedy. Assisted suicide provides the illusion of control over life's circumstances, and leaves more heartache and misery in its wake.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Pennsylvania's tax structure has long been a barrier to job creation in the Commonwealth, and we remain far too dependent on taxes that fall most heavily on those least able to pay, including school property taxes that fund much of our public school system. I support the Taxpayer Protection Act that would limit state spending and taxes to a rate of inflation and population growth. The next Lt. Governor will be critical to passing a law that has been proposed for nearly two decades.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
We cannot rein in Pennsylvania's tax burden without an aggressive, continuous effort to make government more efficient and to reform or abolish programs that have outlived their purpose. But again, the Taxpayer Protection Act provides a strong, statutory limit on the rate on the state government's ability to spend beyond growth in the private sector. Although Pennsylvania has a balanced budget requirement, this has not prevented massive increases in state spending. We do not have a revenue problem, but a spending problem.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
While I support creative thinking to reduce artificially inflated tuition rates, and an increased emphasis on the promotion of career and technical training as alternatives to 4-year degree programs, I do not believe Pennsylvania can sustain the required increase in taxes and spending required to support fully subsidized higher education.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Primacy must be given whenever possible to the right of conscience. Pennsylvania's story is inextricably linked to our heritage or religious tolerance and freedom. The next Governor and Lieutenant Governor must have a clear understanding of this essential truth.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
The First Amendment means precisely what it says on the free exercise 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). I do however believe that market-based solutions ranging from medical sharing to health savings accounts should be allowed to participate in the healthcare market place to control costs and offer increased consumer choice. Efforts to modernize Medicaid and Medicare programs should continue and increasingly enlist the creativity of private sector problems solvers to cover the needs of the uninsured or underinsured.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Religious and medical vaccine exemptions for employees, parents, and students must be vigorously protected.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
It is vital that the United States maintain an aggressive stance terrorism in all form, but as Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania I would have no constitutional or statutory role in national security policy.
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
In principle I oppose the BDS movement, but as Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania I would have no constitutional or statutory role on foreign policy questions.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
Yes, I support measures to secure America's borders.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
As the son of a legal immigrant from the Republic of the Philippines, I am fully aware of the tremendous value legal immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, bring to American life. The important effort of curbing illegal immigration should not overshadow our historic commitment to those who come through America's front door. As Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania I will have no constitutional or statutory role in setting federal or state immigration policy.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I have a long record of support for a wide range of school reform issues, because I believe families have a fundamental right to choose what they think best for their children.
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.
Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Appropriate steps must be taken by political leaders of both parties to bolster public confidence that our elections are conducted fairly.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Socialism, communism, anti-semitism, and racism undermine the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence. But our institutions can withstand a debate and discussion without limited the expression ideas—even the most dangerous and misguided ones.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
The last thing America needs to pit racial groups as adversaries.
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.
It is a core mission of government to strike a proper balance between protecting the environment and over-regulation that threatens jobs and the survival of some communities.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I will echo the words of the Preamble to the Constitution: "in order to provide form a more perfect Union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity . . .".
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
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
A Google search will reveal a range of articles and options I have written on a range of topics—from my pro-life positions to opposition to gambling expansion. I've also written a book (available) on Amazon.com titled, "With All Due Respect: Recovering the Manners and Civility of Political Conduct"—the continuation of William Wilberforce's historic mission on the "reformation of manners" in public life.
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?
The Lt. Governor has no legislative authority in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania other to enact the Governor's agenda. All GOP candidates for Governor are pro-life, pre-second Amendment, pro-school choice, pro-religious liberty, and supportive of efforts to cap state spending and taxes. I will be a champion for these policies.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Like the other provisions of both the state and federal constitutions, the guarantee of the right of gun ownership should be taken as meaning precisely what it say. I do not support limits on constitutionally-protected freedoms. As a legislator, I had an A rating with the NRA and was endorsed by the Firearm Owners Against Crime.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
