Brian VanDussen
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Brian VanDussen
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 31
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
ITT Tech, Grand Rapids, Associates, 1996
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Right to Life, Donor, Holland Rescue Mission
Donor, Church, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Precinct Delegate, 2
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Former State Rep Dave Agema
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe that life begins at conception. The only exception I see is if the mother's life was in the balance, then that would be a decision she and the doctor would make. However, these circumstances are very rare.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Abortion is a State's Rights issue and no federal or state tax dollars should be spent towards the murder of innocent life.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
We should be a no income tax state. We need to reduce the taxes we have. Michigan is ranked 14th overall in the tax burden category, but corporate is ranked 20th. We need to be able to compete with other states and must reduce the tax burden on our citizens.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The first thing that needs to happen is a complete audit of every department, then we can see where government spending is necessary or be reduced to balance the budget.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
It is not the government's job to pay for students chosen career paths.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
A privately owned business should be able to deny someone service for any reason. Why would that not apply for moral or religious beliefs?
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) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. Universal healthcare doesn't work.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We need to make sure our borders are secured and not allow it to enter the United States.
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
We need to finish what President Trump started and close all the loopholes at the border. We need sensible legal immigration which includes expediting the process of vetting immigrants that are able to work in this country.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe that individuals who are law abiding, without felonies should be able to have a chance at a life in America through the proper channels. We need to be vetting all those that legally apply for citizenship, even those seeking asylum.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
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 believe there are only two genders, either male or female.
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 Supreme Court has overstepped its bounds when it ruled against the people of this state. The people had a ballot initiative to define what marriage was in Michigan and overwhelmingly passed it.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
CRT has no place in the education. To tell me that my children are inherently racist is racist itself. I'm proud to be who I am as God has intended.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm a Christian conservative. I spent the first 20 years of my life under the guidance of my grandfather who was a Baptist minister. I believe that all people are created equal, and deserve love and respect being made in God's image. I believe that all people are sinners, and the heart is deceitfully wicked. it is God who takes us out of the bondage of sin, softens our hearts to be able to have a relationship with Him and ultimately enjoy eternity with Him.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
You need a photo id in just about every industry in this country. We already have voter cards so why not just add a photo to it. Everyone gets one of them anyway. It is as simple as that.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I would make voting day a holiday. This would eliminate long lines and therefore be able to get all votes counted in a day. There should be no voting early or drop boxes which increase the chance of fraud. Absentee ballot envelope signatures should match the voter's signature or be disqualified. A voter ID should be mandatory.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
It's racist.
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.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
We have enough oil and natural gas in this country to completely support ourselves without foreign oil. We need more nuclear energy which is proven safe and creates no carbon emissions. Wind, solar and water power are all fine but are not just the answer. Across the country there are different climates so there is not a one size fits all energy policy. Government has no right to pressure the private sector into one source or another to push an agenda.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government was made to be For The People and By The People. Government is to provide safety (armed services) from foreign and domestic enemies, provide commerce or trade with other nations.
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 have none, only family and friends to validate my stance on the issues.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
I have no felony on my record.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I am married to my wife of 24 years. We have four wonderful children. I'm an avid golfer. My priority for Michigan is to rein in spending, cut taxes, balance the budget along with keeping Michiganians free from overreaching government not provided in the Constitution.
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. People need to be educated on the use of firearms and we must be able to protect ourselves as the 2nd Amendment allows.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
It is not the manufacturer's fault that people commit crimes with a firearm. Is someone able to sue the car manufacturer after a death from intoxicated driver?
