Ervin Stone Yen
Independent | Oklahoma
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ervin Stone Yen
Party
Independent
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Oklahoma, Norman, BS - Zoology, 1977
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Norman, MD, 1981
University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Norman, Residency, 1984
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
President of Oklahoma Society of Anesthesiologist, Chief of Anesthesia at St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma Delegate to American Society of Anesthesiologist
Nathan Davis AMA Award Recipient of Outstanding State Legislature in America, President of Anesthesia Scheduling Services
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Senator District 40, 2014-2018
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (16)
Andrew Harris (2014)
Clark Jolley (2014)
George Faught (2013)
Greg McCortney (2016)
James Lankford (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
David B Hooten (2017)
John Tompkins John F. Tompkins,II (2022)
Rob Standridge (2018)
State Republican Party Organizations (2018)
Thoroughbred PAC (2018)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
American Wind Energy Association (2018)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
At anytime during the 1st trimester, or in qualifying circumstances during the 2nd trimester (i.e. rape, incest, mother's health, fetal conditions, etc).
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
I strongly disagree with this because most of the services provided by Planned Parenthood provide needed mammograms and other health related services for many of Oklahoma's most at risk citizens.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
As a physician I would not help someone end their life however I understand that someone suffering from extreme physical or mental distress caused by an incurable disease should be afforded the right to take that step in the most humane way possible.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I would work to ensure that all tax revenues are equitably distributed throughout the state (i.e. rural Oklahoma) for education, infrastructure, etc.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
This answer would require a thorough and transparent review of all areas of state spending!
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
I believe we need to do more to vastly improve education k-12, and then in addition offer incentives for our high school students to go to college or votech.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I strongly disagree that the government should mandate to any private business who they must provide services/goods for in any capacity.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None
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.
As a practicing physician for over 40 years, I can assure you that the best answer for this is somewhere in between answers B or C. I believe in affordable and accessible healthcare for all Oklahomans, however I do not believe healthcare for all should be 100% up to the taxpayers of this state.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Under the current circumstances that already exist in which vaccinations are already required - and have been for decades!
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
I support the current measures that are in place with Homeland Security and the continuing effort to reduce the threat to our borders. Having said that, there are many forms of terrorism besides Islamic terrorism - as many people right here in our state unfortunately know all too well. Domestic terrorism is something we must absolutely work to eradicate.
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.
Choose not to answer
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Neutral
We have MUCH bigger issues to deal with here in Oklahoma than to pretend as though this right-wing, extremistist, platform issue is something we need to be focusing on. This is a ridiculous question.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Again, this is not an issue I will be focused on as Governor of Oklahoma. My administration will be solidly focused on the issues that Oklahomans face in their real lives. Not hypothetical conspiracy questions that are only used to promote fear and divisiveness in our country.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Disagree
I am pro public education! I most definitely support school choice but not voucher programs! It's imperative that we address education funding and stop any distribution that takes away from our public education system.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
As a Catholic I understand that many people's code of morality is a derivative of their religious perspectives however I am a strong proponent in the separation of church and state - as were our founding fathers!
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
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 Disagree
Most moderate conservatives - such as myself - do not believe in discriminating against same-sex marriage. Because separation of church and state is foundational to our form of government - I believe it is contradictory to make statements of fact as they relate to "religious beliefs".
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
First of all, CRT does not state that the institutions in the US are fundamentally racist. Secondly, history is history. It's not historically accurate to pick and choose what is taught simply based on our levels of comfortability.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm Catholic and am an active member of my local parish.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
All forms of confirming identification further eliminate chances of potential voter fraud.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
As a candidate who was UN-invited to the State Chamber Gubernatorial Debates I am concerned that the issue of election fraud happens months prior to voters casting their ballot. The local media complied with the Democrats request to have me removed simply because I was a threat to their candidate. This is voter/election fraud! It is not just subjected to Election Day Voter Fraud!
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
YES! Racism is a threat to all issues of security!
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
Reparations are something that need to be considered in greater context on a federal level - not state!
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.
B. Stricter environmental laws actually create jobs and are most definitely worth the cost!!
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?
A properly functioning government protects and ensures the well being of its citizens. Respecting where we came from and the decisions made by the great leaders before us, our willingness to change as our societies change, and by looking to the future to create a path for greater success for generations to come.
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?
Moderate
I have always been a moderate conservative!!
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
As a candidate who has not been offered any media time - as Hofmeister has, unfortunately I do not have this. I'd look up my voting record as a Senator- for further information. Otherwise my website is great!
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 would like for voters to know that I am not going to cater to extreme Republican right agenda nor the extreme far left Democrat agenda. And I am the only candidate who is willing and able to work across the aisles to help push Oklahoma forward in all capacities. I am the one with the skillset and life experience to represent ALL Oklahomans.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Neutral
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Implement common sense gun laws.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
If someone drives their car through a parade and kills someone - is that the manufacturer's fault? No. It shouldn't be with gun manufacturers either!
