Adam Mathews
Republican | Ohio
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Adam Mathews
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Representative, Dist. 56
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Juris Doctor
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Bachelors of Science, Mechanical Engineering
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Bachelors of Arts, Political Science
WORK & MILITARY
Heartbeat International, In-house Attorney
AFFILIATIONS
Knights of Columbus, Trustee, Grand Knight, Elizabeth's New Life Center
Board of Directors, Chair, Federalist Society, Board of Directors, Greater Cincinnati Chapter
Alliance Defending Freedom, Allied attorney, Mason City Schools
Substitute Teacher, Buckeye Firearms Association, Member
Republican Party of Warren County Ohio, Executive Board, Central Committee Treasurer, Saint Francis de Sales Church
Parish council, Secretary, NFIB, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 2023-Present
Republican Precinct Chair, 2016-Present
Republican Party of Warren County Ohio Central Committee Treasurer, 2018-2024
Vice Mayor, City of Lebanon, 2021-2023
Lebanon City Council, 2019-2023
Governor's Office of Faith Based Community Initiatives, 2023-Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (9)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Ohio Right to Life PAC
National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Federal PAC
Cincinnati Right to Life PAC
Buckeye Firearms Association-Ohio
OTHER (2)
Americans For Prosperity - Ohio
Ohio Nurses Association
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Senator JD Vance, Ohio Young Republicans, Ohio Right to Life PAC, Cincinnati Right to Life Warrior for Life Award, Warren County Sheriff Larry Sims and Chief Deputy Barry Riley, Warren County Auditor Matt Nolan, Warren County Treasurer Barney Wright, Warren County Recorder Linda Oda, Warren County Engineer Neil Tunison and Deputy Engineer Kurt Weber (all county elected officials are Republican)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Bernie Moreno (2024)
Protect Women Ohio (2023)
Scott Lipps (2021)
Steve Wilson (OH) (2021)
Jennifer Gross (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Al Cutrona (2024)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2024)
National Federation of Independent Business (2024)
Jason Stephens (2023)
Orlando Sonza (2023)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Building Trades Councils (2024)
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (2024)
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (2024)
International Union of Operating Engineers (2024)
Ohio Association for Justice (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
OH Christian Alliance's 2024 Voter Guide
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Human life should always be protected, especially our most vulnerable. Doctors should make every effort to care for both mother and child. Elective abortions, which refers to abortions based on convenience, economic situation, or for terrible reasons like sex-selection, are not necessary at any time.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
For sure, the government should have no authority to close churches in a pandemic. Churches are rightfully protected by the First Amendment, as crucial to the wellbeing of our lives and communities.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
In addition to strongly agreeing with the above, I co-sponsored and passed out the Ohio House a full ban on the CCP-controlled software, including TikTok, from being used by state employees or on state resources.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The relationship with Israel is incredibly important, standing with allies in the Judeo-Christian tradition against forces who wish for the elimination of us both. I co-sponsored and passed HR 292, which condemned in the harshest words the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and expressed our full support.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
We should move away from tax-payer funded health care. Alternatives, like community or Christian health sharing networks and de-regulation to allow for insurance focused on covering catastrophic cases, should be promoted.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
As a councilman, I and the rest of the council of Lebanon banned mandating covid vaccines for our employees and staff, as well as banned discriminating based on covid vaccination status for anyone interacting with our city.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Government needs to provide the rule of law to protect families and businesses, but otherwise should allow as much as freedom as possible. This is why I led House Bill 1, which worked towards a flat tax for Ohio and resulted in over $2.2 Billion in income tax cuts for all Ohioans. I sponsored and passed bills to remove regulatory red tape and unnecessary licenses for those trying to make a living.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
At the end of the day, the true minimum wage is zero. If wages are raised too high, employers will simply not be able to hire employees, and either put more work on current employees, use technology, or do without.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
As fiduciaries and stewards of taxpayer dollars, we should not be investing in ESG. I have been working within the House to ensure Ohioans receive the best return on their investment instead of chasing ratings that are often at odds with our deeply held beliefs.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
We need a physical barrier that is monitored and controlled.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
I sponsored Ohio's educational choice program and we were able to pass universal school choice for all Ohioans with parents able to have their children's education be covered, regardless of type of school works best for them.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Second Amendment enshrines our right to self-defense, and we must always protect an individual American citizen’s right to keep and bear arms. I introduced and passed out of the Ohio House a bill to strengthen concealed carry. Red flag laws, magazine bans, and excessive regulations on how to maintain weapons hinders these rights. Restrictions on citizens should only come after convictions or with other similarly strong due process protections.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
In Ohio, we passed legislation to allow teachers to be able to carry in schools.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government exists to protect and recognize natural rights, giving the individual, families, businesses, and institutions an environment in which they can thrive. The government should safeguard the rule of law, national defense, the right to life, and provide basic services, but should otherwise allow people to be empowered to make their own decisions.
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?
Very Conservative
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
I co-sponsored, passed, and voted to override the governor's veto to ensure children are protected from medical interventions and surgeries, as well as keeping men from playing against girl athletes. I wrote on the need for this veto at National Review at https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/01/mike-dewines-disappointing-veto/
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly 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.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth. I believe in His One Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the giver of life and guide to us now. I believe we are created for a definite purpose, to know, love, and serve God. In response to the gift of life and grace, we are called to live a virtuous life, including the virtues of prudence, temperance, justice, fortitude, as well as living in faith, hope, and charity.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is evil, an attack on our neighbors and heretical as we are each made in the image and likeness of God. Racism and other forms of hatred can lead to attacks, which is never acceptable.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
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
I co-sponsored, passed, and voted to override the governor's veto to ensure children are protected from medical interventions and surgeries, as well as keeping men from playing against girl athletes.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
A and C
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
We must use an all of the above approach, including nuclear, natural gas, and fossil fuels.
