Chris Bruns
Non-Partisan | Nebraska
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Chris Bruns
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
Member of the Legislature, Dist. 42
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Creighton University, Omaha, BSBA, 2015
WORK & MILITARY
United States Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant, 2003 - 2012
AFFILIATIONS
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Member, Volunteer, American Legion
Member, Volunteer, Optimist International, Leader, Member, Volunteer
Lincoln County Republican Party, Member, Volunteer, Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans
Member, North Platte Berean Church, Member
North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation, Board Member, North Platte Area Economic Development Committee
Member, West Central District Health Department, Board Member
UNL County Extension for Lincoln, Logan, McPherson Counties, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Lincoln County Commissioner, 2021-Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Nebraska Legislature - District 42
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (4)
Nebraskans Against Government Overreach
Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans
Julie Slama
Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom
OTHER (1)
*Omaha Police Officers Association
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (10)
State Senators Lou Ann Linehan, Tom Brewer, Steve Erdman, and Mike Groene
Lincoln County Sheriff Jerome Kramer
Hooker County Sheriff Wynn Wiens
Fraternal Order of Police - Lodge 26
Retired North Platte Police Chief Dan Hudson
OTHER INFORMATION
Party affiliation- Republican
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I do not believe that willful abortion should be allowed under any circumstances. I believe that life begins at conception and should be protected as our chief, inalienable right.
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
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 do not believe that the government should have the ability to close churches. This goes to the heart of the First Amendment that places limits on government; We The People are able to both peaceably assemble and to freely exercise religion, and government should not interfere with that.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Radical ideology thrives in conditions where societal opportunity is lacking. Economic trade and the encouragement of policy that allows for prosperity are some of the best ways to combat the radicalism that spawns terrorism. We must also keep and train a nimble, powerful, and lethal military force able to respond to any situation in the world and protect our national interests. Unfortunately, no country will ever be able to completely eradicate the threat of terrorism, no matter the ideology behind it.
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
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.) Medicaid and medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. I believe that every industry, including the healthcare industry, operates better and with lower cost when the free market is allowed to operate without undue influence from the government.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccine requirements should not be allowed under any circumstances. I do not believe that any entity should be allowed to require a foreign substance to be put into someone's body. I think that programs for education and encouragement of vaccinations are important, because vaccines generally do work and generally save lives; however, vaccine mandates/requirements are a significant overreach of authority.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I believe that we should take a look at our entire state tax code in order to identify areas where Nebraska can become more simplified, competitive. We have to find ways to lower our property taxes in meaningful and sustainable ways. Ultimately, tax policy should be focused on modernization, accountability, fairness, and strong economic growth.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I think that controlling government spending is the best way to affect our tax rates and that spending in every department and agency should be thoroughly reviewed. We have to take serious assessment of what is truly needed, where redundancy and waste exist that can be cut, and where we can find innovative ways to create efficiencies while still providing effective and needed services to the taxpayers.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
A degree is an optional tool used for one's career. I do not believe that taxpayers should provide that tool to anyone; just like I do not believe that taxpayers should provide land to a farmer, or a construction vehicle to a building contractor for them to do their job.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
All of our borders should have stronger physical and technological security.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe that we should allow immigration for those who are wanting to become US Citizens, follow proper and legal immigration processes, follow all of our laws, and adopt our American way of life.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I believe that we should strengthen parental rights and choice in our children's education. Competition in education, like in other industries, encourages stronger, efficient, and more effective institutions that provide a better end product.
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
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I do not believe that we should have more restrictions on gun ownership. Nebraska has strong laws preventing people who should not own guns from having them. What we do need to do is become a Constitutional Carry state. The concealed carry permit process is onerous for gun owners. I am pleased to have the support and endorsement of Senator Brewer, who introduced LB773 providing for Constitutional Carry in Nebraska. At the time of submitting this, it had not yet passed, but absolutely needs to be.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I think the general purpose of government is supposed to be much more limited than what we see today. Government exists to do the basic functions not able to be done by individuals or business. That consists of taxing and paying for common defense and welfare of the public, promote and responsibly regulate commerce, provide the means for effective and fair trade, and provide for strong infrastructure. I believe that the size, scope, and interference of government into the lives of everyday Nebraskans should be extremely limited.
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://www.facebook.com/votebruns https://sanctuarycounties.com/2021/08/02/lincoln-county-nebraska-passes-resolution-in-support-of-second-amendment/ http://www.huskeradio.com/2021/07/26/conservative-lincoln-county-commissioner-chris-bruns-to-run-for-state-legislature/ https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/44985411/vaccine-mandate-protest-held-in-north-platte-saturday http://www.huskeradio.com/2021/10/07/audio-chris-bruns-candidate-for-ne-legi?fbclid=IwAR28dpk58WBDjWHhcPWHMOAU4hotitWPclzGpr7tGb-hqwaePtGABr2rKF0 http://www.huskeradio.com/2021/07/26/audio-lincoln-county-commissioner-chris-bruns-joins-race-for-ne-state-senate/ http://www.huskeradio.com/2021/12/10/interview-lincoln-co-commissioner-bruns-recaps-busy-week-in-the-community/?fbclid=IwAR2eNEYEoN-exF3StitEbfi4ISbPHTcNFtY8xI0MfoUEU1irU1ohhDLpi1Y
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?
As the next conservative State Senator for LD42, I will provide a strong conservative voice for our shared values in rural Nebraska. I have three areas of focus for my legislative priorities. First, I will work to protect the taxpayers, which comprises controlling spending, reducing taxes, and making our tax code more competitive. Secondly, I will work hard to encourage economic growth in rural Nebraska. We have to find ways to stimulate our economies outside of the metro areas so that the entire state can enjoy growth and prosperity. Lastly, but most importantly, I will always work to defend our individual liberties and property rights. Good governance is not always about proposing new laws, it is also about standing your ground to stop radical ideas from becoming law. I will work hard to ensure that those that seek to change who we are as Nebraskans will not succeed. I encourage the voters to visit my website chrisbruns.com to learn more about me and my stance on the issues.
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.
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
I believe that government needs to stay out of the institution of marriage as it is an institution of the church.
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 a child of God who believes that we should love thy neighbor as we love ourselves. I believe in the infallible word of God provided to us through scripture, and that we, as imperfect beings, have a promise of redemption through Jesus Christ. My core values were honed in the Marine Corps and consist of honor, courage, commitment, service to others, working hard, discipline, and compassion.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Nebraska needs to pass VoterID, which would require a photo identification in order to vote. I do not agree with mail-in ballots, which are different from absentee ballots, because the chain of custody of the ballot is broken once placed in the mail. This allows for too much potential for fraud and the practice needs to be made illegal. Our elections are our most important government institution and they need to be protected as such.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No, racism is not a threat to domestic security in the United States. Our country does experience racism, but not to the extent that many would want us to believe. I believe that the recent narrative that we have systemic racism in the United States, and that it is a dire threat to domestic security is pushed by those that seek to divide us as a people for their own political gain. We as a people have much more in common with each other than we have in differences.
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.
A.) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. We do need some laws in order to protect our natural resources and the environment, but I believe that onerous regulation and burdensome environmental laws are not the answer. Instead, I believe that the free market and technological advances will provide more effective answers to ensuring good stewardship of our planet.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
