Benton Sawrey
Republican | North Carolina
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Benton Sawrey
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Senate, Dist. 10
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, B.A., 2009
University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, J.D., 2013
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Johnston Community College, Board of Trustees, Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation
President; Board of Directors, Partnership for Children of Johnston County, Board of Directors
Horne United Methodist Church, Member; Capital Fundraising Committee
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
North Carolina Senate District 11, 2016
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (1)
North Carolina Values Coalition
OTHER (1)
*North Carolina Property Rights Fund
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Lt. Governor Mark Robinson
Citizen Advocates for Accountable Government
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
DeVan Barbour IV (2021)
Kelly Daughtry Kelly K.Daughtry (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2016)
Pat McCrory (2021)
Ted Budd (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
North Carolina Advocates for Justice (2016)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
My personal opinion is that abortion should only be allowed in circumstances where the mother's life is at-risk.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
If Roe v. Wade is overturned by the US Supreme Court, how far are you willing to go to roll back North Carolina's statutory abortion law that allows abortion up to 20 weeks?
Legislation barring abortion except in cases of the health of the mother, rape (accompanied by police report), or incest.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
Would you support a limitation on chemical abortion that protects women from taking abortion pills without the care and supervision of a qualified physician?
Yes
ECONOMY
The government should do more to close the gap between the working class and the wealthy.
Strongly Disagree
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I support abolition of North Carolina's personal income tax over a period of five (5) years from the date of enactment. North Carolina is running a $2.4billion surplus presently and North Carolina can help ease the pain of inflation by allowing wage-earners to retain more of their paycheck.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
To the extent this question is asking whether it should be cost free for all students -- I disagree. However, North Carolina is constitutionally obligated to provide higher-education to its residents at a subsidized cost. Article IX, Section 9 of the North Carolina Constitution provides for college education to the people of North Carolina, as far as practicable, be free of expense. I also support subsidizing community college programs for job training and career and technical education.
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?
None.
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
Christian values should be the bedrock of the state's values. There is an inherent contract between a citizen and the state; the contract is derived from divine will and therefore Christianity must inform the state's actions. Provided that the state should not meddle, interfere, or otherwise dictate what a church can or cannot do.
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.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I do not believe that a government, school, or employer should be permitted to mandate COVID19 vaccinations.
EDUCATION
States should allow parents to use the Opportunity Scholarship Program to fund private school for their children.
Strongly Agree
In what situations does a parent not have the right to know what their child is being taught in public school?
None.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
Parents should always have a right to speak at a school board meeting. Public comment and engagement by parents should not be restricted.
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
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 Christian and believe that I have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, alone. I have been raised in a strong Christian household and family; Christian values are the foundation of my beliefs and will guide my decisions as a legislator.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
(1) Ban on private, nonprofits providing election funding to local county election administration offices, (2) absentee ballots must be received by day of election, (3) shortening number of early-voting days, (4) requirement of photo identification with absentee-by-mail ballots.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. Racism as a concept is not a security threat to the United States. There are certainly racist people and groups in the United States, but I don't believe they pose a threat to national security.
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.
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I believe the general purpose of state government is to: (a) build roads and provide for infrastructure; (b) create and maintain a court system for resolution of disputes; (c) provide security for residents of the state; and (d) provide education and training opportunities for its residents to participate in the economy.
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
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://indyweek.com/news/wake/ncsu-students-reject-academic-bill-rights/ (proposing Academic Bill of Rights in College) https://publicinterestlegal.org/press/lawsuit-nc-illegally-withholding-data-on-noncitizen-voters/ (lawsuit on illegal immigrant's voting in 2016 election) https://www.facebook.com/1598268939/videos/10207767533978496/ (2016 debate video)
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?
Legislative priorities: (1) Abolish North Carolina's personal income tax (2) Pass legislation that will make North Carolina a leader in the right-to-life movement nationally (3) Expand school choice opportunities in North Carolina (4) Reform economic development tiers so that ratings are given on census tracts or municipal regions as opposed to counties (5) Repeal North Carolina's pistol purchase permits and concealed carry permits
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?
None. We have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. North Carolina should work toward repealing certain restrictions such as: permit-to-purchase for pistols and permits for concealed carry.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Would you support legislation that prohibits biological boys from competing on girls sports teams?
Yes
