
Donel Shelton
Republican | Tennessee
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Donel Shelton
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 10
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Walter State Community College, Morristown, Associates in Agri-Business, 2014
King University, Bristol, Bachelors in Business Administration, 2016
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Liberty Hill Market, Owner, Shelton Excavating LLC
Owner / Operator, Grainger Co Soil Conservation Office, Loan Officer (Sept 2013- May 2016)
Farm Service Agency, Loan Officer (2016-2021), Grainger County CO-OP
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Tennessee State Representative District 10, 2022
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Donna Shelton - Grainger County Assessor of Property
Justin Epperson- Grainger County Commissioner District 4
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I do not believe in abortion, under any circumstances.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I believe in protecting life. We should be spending resources educating the public on alternatives to abortion, such as adoption programs, etc.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
I do not believe in assisted suicide, under any circumstances.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I want to develop a plan to bring more of our citizens tax dollars back to the districts from which they are received. I also want to develop a plan to bring more funds back to our classrooms. Teachers should not be paying for classroom materials out of their own pockets.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
If a program doesn't benefit the hard- working citizens, then it needs to be eliminated. We should be doing an annual review, using data, of each program that receives government funds to see which programs are productive/ helpful to our citizens and which are not.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
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
I strongly support religious liberty. If something goes against my faith, then I should never be forced to support or condone it.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None.
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?
Although I received my Covid-19 vaccination to be respectful and potentially reduce the risk for others, I do not support the mandating of vaccinations. It should be a personal choice, just like my decision was.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
There needs to be clear, defined consequences backed by strong-backed leadership who are unafraid to execute said consequences swiftly.
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
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
I am not anti-immigration. I believe everyone has the ability to chase the American Dream, but they need to do it legally. Our laws are there for a reason, and they should be followed. Our borders should be protected.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Achieving the American Dream used to be such an honor. An immigrant could come here, work hard, and earn their citizenship. It was a proud moment for them. That shouldn't change by allowing every Tom, Dick, and Harry to cross our border, unevaluated. We should welcome immigration, but only to those that go about it legally, follow our laws, and that have potential to bring value back to the United States. I do not support illegal immigration.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Neutral
I want to bring funds back to our classrooms. Teachers should not be spending their own money to supply their classrooms. I support school choice, private schools, and home schools.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
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 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. I believe God sent his son, Jesus, to die for us so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Photo ID law should be a standard across all states.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
TN already has a Photo ID law, but I will be an advocate for it in other states if given the opportunity.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I think the mentality of divisiveness is a threat to domestic security. Does racism exist, yes. Are the majority of people racist, no.
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
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
We need to be self-reliant. Relying on other countries to supply our fuel doesn't "help the environment", as it is so often made to seem. It doesn't matter if you drill here, or in Russia, you are still drilling.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE!
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
I am conservative, but not so overly conservative that I cannot have an open mind to listen to the other side. I want to hear all sides, and I respect all opinions, even though I may not agree with them.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
NA
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 love the United States, Tennessee, and I love the people. I will serve with a servant style leadership, including my community and district and being a voice for all Tennesseans.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
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?
The 2nd amendment shall not be infringed. Less restrictions, in my opinion, would add increased public safety.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
The manufacture has nothing to do with the mentality / intentions of the individual who committed the crime.
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