

Matt Leber
Republican | South Carolina
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matt Leber
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 41
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Mitchell Community College, Statesville, NC, A.A., 2003
WORK & MILITARY
Army Paratroopers, Specialist, 1991-1998
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Member SC House of Representatives, 2022 - Current
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2023-2024
100%
2023
80%
2023
70%, 70% (cum.)†
2023-2024
20%
2023-2024
|100%
2023
|80%
2023
|70%, 70% (cum.)†
2023-2024
|20%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2023-2024
|63%, 63% (cum.)†
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (7)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
South Carolina Citizens for Life LIFEPAC
Josiah Magnuson
Chris Wooten
Vivek Ramaswamy
OTHER (5)
James Livingston
Dr. Stephen M. Jarrett
Lt. Gen. Colby Broadwater III
John R. Barnes
Professional Fire Fighters Association of South Carolina
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
https://www.leberforsenate.com/endorsements
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate graded A by pro-marijuana group NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws).
The candidate signed a pledge to support Congressional term limits.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I voted for the Fetal Heartbeat Act, which is the current law in South Carolina. I stand by the framework promulgated by that legislation.
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
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
As a right to work state, SC values freedom to contract. As such, the role of the minimum wage should be to provide a baseline for teenagers seeking summer or part time jobs.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
The state should not subsidize partisan socio-political objectives rather than financially sound investments.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None whatsoever.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
The Supreme Court has repeatedly found that the Constitution recognizes and protects freedom of religion. As such, South Carolinians should not be forced to engage in activity that violates their strongly held religious convictions.
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.
B
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None. However, South Carolina is a right to work state and those statutes apply.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
I strongly supported recent legislation that limits the amount of land the Chinese Communist Party can own or possess in South Carolina.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Israel is one of our most important allies and military partners in the Middle East.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The Democrats' failure to secure the border has resulted in a grave national security risk. In the last session, I fought for the passage of bills that fortify South Carolina against the Biden/Harris administration's disastrous federal immigration policies, including: • The toughest fentanyl law in the Southeast. • A bill that created and funded an immigration enforcement unit in SLED. • A bond reform bill and a constitutional amendment stating only US citizens may vote.
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
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 have repeatedly fought for legislation that protects SC children, such as the “Child Luring” Bill, the “Child Online Safety” Bill, and the “South Carolina Social Media Regulation Act." It is important that the law requires all reasonable efforts be made to protect the innocence of our children and empower South Carolina parents to decide what is best for their children. I supported the “Do No Harm” bill that made it illegal to perform "gender reassignment" procedures on minor children in SC
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.
Choose not to answer
The government should not be in the business of marriage. The role of the state should be confined to acting as a repository of marriage certificates and vital records.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Evangelical Christian
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
As in virtually every developed nation, registered voters should present a photo ID in order to vote. It is obscenely derogatory and prejudicial to suggest that any class or group of South Carolinians is incapable of securing a South Carolina ID card that is offered free of charge.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
We should follow the Constitution that we are sworn to uphold and protect.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I am against all notions of racial superiority and believe that true racists should be ostracized by society.
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
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.
The climate change AGENDA is largely a hoax. Republicans should call out the left's cultlike devotion to climate change theories and point out the flaws, deceptions, and inconsistencies in their reasoning. Climate change fanatics are promoting scientific theories as absolute facts and using them to influence policy and force people to adopt significant lifestyle changes that undermine our economy and our national security.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear... also... drill baby drill! Energy independence is a national security issue; we must sever our reliance on energy resources from nations that hate us.
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?
The fundamental purpose of government is to protect the rights of its citizens and perform the constitutionally enumerated duties that no other entity is sufficiently well situated to assume.
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
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?
None, with the very limited exception promulgated by SCOTUS relating to the rights of convicted violent felons.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
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