Steven Gilbert
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Steven Gilbert
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Special Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 74
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, B.A., 2015
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Catholic Charities Young Professionals, President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Walker City Commissioner, 5
Walker Mayor Pro Tem, 5
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Michigan Right to Life PAC
OTHER (1)
Mark Huizinga
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
State Senator Mark Huizenga
Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young
Walker Mayor Gary Carey Jr.
Alpine Township Supervisor Greg Madura
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
To protect 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?
We need to consider reducing taxes, specifically, with the current surplus revenues where they are, we need to have the conversation around reducing Michigan's income tax rate to 3.9%, as was promised to Michigan's residents.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
With the current state of the budget, we don't need to reduce spending to balance the budget, we need to simply practice restraint in spending because the state government is so anxious to spend all of this federal money we have received and these surplus dollars.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
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?
I cannot think of a situation where a government should be able to shut down a church.
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 is closest to my views presently.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Government mandates of vaccinations should absolutely not be allowed. You should not be required to get a vaccination to get an education or make a living, either.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
The federal government should take necessary and reasonable measures to prevent all terrorism.
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
Need more information on the movement.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
The federal government should enact laws that streamline legal immigration for those looking to make a better life in the United States. We have an unprecedented labor shortage in the United States and strengthening legal immigration opportunities could help us to address this. Those who use the legal process should be allowed to immigrate to the United States.
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.
Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimation laws.
Choose not to answer
Need more information.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Disagree
There is the religious institution of marriage which follows faith based practices, and there is the legal practice of marriage, which is a legal union of two individuals.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am Catholic, and believe a person's relationship with god is very personal.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I believe the Secure MI Vote petition is a strong step to help improve election security by requiring voter ID to vote. I generally support increasing the integrity of our elections by improving the process and making sure elections are secure and Michigan's voters can trust the outcome.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism could be a threat to domestic security in the sense that, if there were extreme racial tensions and racist actions were to occur it could ignite major conflicts within the United States.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
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.
I think there is a balance to be struck here. I believe we cannot go too far and take action that costs jobs, hurts the economy, and has real impacts on families ability to make a living.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Choose not to answer
Need more information.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect the rights of its citizens.
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).
https://ciwalkermi.civicweb.net/Portal/ This is the City of Walker's portal, which includes video recordings and minutes from all of our meetings. I have been serving in elected office and living my values casting votes to support businesses and residents in my community for years.
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 supporting choice in education, as a former Charter School student, so each family has the ability to access the right education for their child. I am a child of adoption, and not only understand but have lived the value of being pro-life. I believe in electing community focused leaders who know their district and as someone who has lived here my whole life and who is a member of a family who has deep roots in this community, I know our values and will represent the people of this district.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
We cannot defund police. Improving community programs and increasing mental health support is wonderful and important, but it does not need to come at the expense of law enforcement.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
If an individual is mentally ill or would be incapable of handling a firearm responsibly and therefore be a danger to themselves or others, there should be controls in place.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
Need more information on why this would be an option.
