Retha Mattern
Republican | North Dakota
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Retha Mattern
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 7
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Maryland, College Park, BA, 2006
Minot State University, Minot, MS, 2019
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Volunteer & Member, North Dakota District 7 GOP
Vice Chair, Bismarck Youth Hockey, Volunteer
Bismarck Aquastorm, Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
In the cases of rape or incest, particularly when involving a minor child, or to preserve the life and health 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.
Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
If a business receives public funding they may be held to higher requirements for providing services to individuals.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Did not answer
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Continue monitoring of extremist groups and networks and respond to identified threats, and respond in manners that are deemed appropriate.
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.
Disagree
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.
B
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
These are three different entities. It is reasonable for a school to require vaccinations of common childhood diseases that are known to spread in congregate conditions, just as it is reasonable for a college or university to require residents to be vaccinated against diseases common in communal living environments. Private employers have the ability to determine their own terms of employment and operation.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Locally, I think there are opportunities for improvements in property tax collection and usage. Property tax is calculated on the assessed value of a home, which can rise for many reasons outside the homeowner's control, such as inflation. If an individual has made no actual improvements to their home which would result in an increased value, the taxable value should remain the same or with a capped increase until the home is sold.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would like to see spending bills presented in a smaller scope from the local legislature. I have seen too many extra items added in to large spending bills that are wasteful.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
There are many visa classes currently existing to allow for immigration, or for individuals to come to the US and work or study as a non-immigrant. Employers looking to hire non-citizens who provide labor that cannot be achieved by US citizens alone (lack of applications, lack of skills, etc) should be able to sponsor individuals to come work for defined periods of time. Other individuals seeking to immigrate to the US and who can demonstrate ties to the US through family connections or others can be vetted for immigration. What we cannot have is people coming into the US without authorization or without any screening working and living "off the books."
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Did not answer
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Did not answer
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Did not answer
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Did not answer
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?
Did not answer
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Did not answer
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
Neutral
The church should be the one with authority to define marriage.
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 believe in God and was raised in the Christian church. However, church attendance and membership alone does not define one as a Christian. Following Christ's principles and teachings, living a life of love and service, and treating others with respect and care, are important values to me.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Did not answer
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
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.
Did not answer
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Did not answer
