James Lawson JR
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
James Lawson JR
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 49
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
DeVry- Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Addison, no, 2012
WORK & MILITARY
IBEW L.U. 701 Electrician, Master Electrician/Journeyman Electrician, 21
AFFILIATIONS
Convention of States, Illinois 97th District Captain
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Precinct Committeeman Plainfield Township District 19, 1
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Precinct Committeeman Plainfield Township District 19, 2
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Never, I almost lost my wife with my second child. I prayed that both my wife and child would make it through, but never did I think of killing my second child to save my wife.
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.
Neutral
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Lower taxes. Taxes are over-reaching into our lives. Illinois is one of the highest tax bases of all the States and what do we have to show for it? A mass-migration of citizens leaving our State. This lowers home values and drives out businesses.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Across the board. I plan to forensically audit each department to see where the money is really going.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
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
Businesses have the right to refuse service to hold to their moral or religious beliefs.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never. No circumstance.
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). Mainly because the majority of the people have been paying into it for such a long time, it would be stealing if it were de-funded. However, I wouldn't mind weaning off of all government funded healthcare.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Never. Nobody should ever be injected with anything against their will. In fact, I would like to look into the current vaccination schedules for children entering into public schools and seek out the legality.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Protect our boarders. Make sure people are who they say they are, vetting. They really have not been doing this.
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
Honestly, the United States should focus their interests back at home. I believe we have enough issues here to deal with.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Please do not forget the Northern boarder as well. You know the old saying, "tall fences make great neighbors". This should be a priority to National security.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who is trying to immigrate to the U.S. should have proper documentation. Our Country was founded by immigrants and they should not be denied, as long as they are not a threat to our Nation of States.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I plan to take a deeper dive into this issue as soon as I am elected to office. I believe that our public schools and the Illinois State Board of Education have failed our children both in education and support. I also cannot believe this is the only question you ask about education. I would also point out that while the funding for education has increased the standardized testing scores have dropped to a anemic level.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, with Liberty and Justice for all. That's all you have to read and everything that America is.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
There is only Man and Woman. If it was not for a tormented scientific community trying to play God, we would not have these issues like gender identity, hormone therapy, sex changes, on the headline news. This is not governments job.
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
The government has made a mockery of marriage. They almost celebrate divorce. The governments only interests in marriage is for monetary gain. They issue marriage certificates. They are also there, because of the lack of God in a marriage, when a separation is needed.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
The majority of Americans are not racist. This Country was founded on the premise that we are all created equal under God.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Catholic and Christian. I believe in God and seek His guidance, daily.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
If you register to vote, prepare to show your voter ID and a picture ID. These should be provided free from the State government. This is the first step in a secure election
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I believe that at the Precinct level, there are enough Election Judges to hand count every ballot, get rid of the electronic machines. I would also make Election Day a Holiday. Everyone should partake in what makes us a truly free Country, to vote for the people that we give power to govern us.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. As I have stated earlier, the majority of Americans are not racist. Throughout history, there have been Amendments to the Constitution that are a redundancy. Meaning, in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, all Americans are free. The government, on the Judicial level at least, has failed many by not upholding these documents.
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). However, the narrow viewpoint could be expanded to state that, governments have "rose colored glasses on" when it comes to the environment. Meaning, there cannot be policy before years, if not decades, of development of alternative means.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect freedoms first. To protect the citizens from the government.
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).
I choose to be humble and do not have any interviews or media reports.
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 honestly believe that when you seek out and prevent corruption in our State government, Illinois will start to heal. There is a real need for checks and balances, this is where our State has failed its citizens. I will try to provide the right tools and resources to people to lift themselves up, instead of relying on the government. Term limits are a must. Limited form of government is a must. Federal and State budgets are a must.
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
In order for a police officer to do their jobs they need to be assured that the department and government has their backs. If the officer acts out of conduct, it lies fully on the department for either lack of training or lack of past disciplinary action.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
A safe State, City, Town, Community, starts with the understanding that people will be held accountable for their actions. This starts with a well funded police department.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. The right to keep and bear arms is our second Amendment for a reason. That reason is to protect ourselves from the very government that we give permission to govern us. No system is perfect. The "bad guys" will always find a way to procure a weapon.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
It is the person pulling the trigger that is to blame not the maker of the weapon. Can you sue a car manufacturer? or a knife smith? Its absurd when you put it in that context.
