Andrew (Andy) Zachmeier
Republican | North Dakota
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Andrew (Andy) Zachmeier
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 33
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, Bachelor, 1989
WORK & MILITARY
Law Enforcement, Police Officer, 33
AFFILIATIONS
National Rifle Association, Life Member, Fraternal Order of Police
Legislative Committee, National School Resource Officers, Member
North Dakota Association of Counties, Resolutions Committee, Phesants Forever
Member, Ducks Unlimited, Member
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Morton County Commissioner- North Dakota, 16
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
District 33 House of Representatives- North Dakota Legislature, 0
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I fully support the Right to Life. I do not support abortion in any form. Abortion to protect the life of the mother would be a difficult decision and I hope that God never places me in that position where I have to make that decision.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Planned Parenthood supports Abortion and I cannot support that.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia does not support the sanctity of life.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
People in North Dakota are concerned about the growth of Property Taxes. This is understandable as Property Taxes so often affect people in their homes. The North Dakota Legislature is looking for ways to take on more Property Tax burden especially in the area of Kindergarten through 12 education. There are local Road, Bridge, and Infrastructure projects that State Government can assist. I would support efforts to remove Property Tax burden from home owners.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The North Dakota State Budget has a projected surplus. That surplus can be used to buy down infrastructure needs. It can assist in education costs.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
There is something to be said for someone who works hard to pay for their college education. Having an assistance program to assist in controlling tuition costs is one thing. Providing a totally free college education is another. I do not believe it is right for State Government to totally finance a college 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
The Government deliberately violating someone's religious rights or beliefs to advance someone else's perceived rights should never be tolerated or allowed.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never. There was some discussion in North Dakota that Health Officials and State Authorities may have the power to close Churches due to the COVID scare. I totally disagree with that position. Only Church Religious Leaders and Church Administrators should have the power to close their Churches or Services during an emergency. Government Officials should not have that authority. Government Officials can recommend closure, but they cannot mandate it.
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 are so ingrained in American Life now. It would be almost impossible to eliminate those programs. I do not support Universal Healthcare as a right. I do believe in emergency healthcare to save ones life and eliminate painful suffering from accidents and incidents. I believe in medical aid in child birth. I do not believe in clinics created to assist illegal drug users and addicts in ingesting illicit drugs under medical supervision. I do not believe in giving illicit drug addicts free needles and drug cook kits that basically serve their addiction more than it serves their addiction recovery.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
This one is difficult. I was born and raised during the days of the polio vaccine and now polio has been basically eradicated in the United States. There may be a disease where a proven vaccine is needed in an outright emergency. That being said, I did not believe that the COVID scare rose to that level. I refused to take the COVID vaccine because I did not believe that the COVID vaccine has been proven. I do not believe that an employer should have the right to force an employee into any medical treatment to include vaccination. Being medically cleared to return to work after an injury or major illness is one thing, forcing medical treatment can be another.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
This question is outside the authority of the North Dakota Legislature. What I would have recommended is stronger border security and excellent monitoring and intelligence gathering. North Dakota is a border state and illegal immigrants do cross from Canada to the United States. Fortunately, North Dakota does not have the severe immigration problems the southern states have.
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
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who do it legally. Those who will follow immigration laws to enter our Country and then will obey our laws once they arrive. Being in Law Enforcement these many years, I have had many instances of even legal immigrants violating American laws. In some of these immigrant cultures, wives and children are property and not family. I have had these immigrants argue that what they do with their wives, children, and property is of no concern to Police. These same immigrants will then argue that Law Enforcement must respect their home country property culture.
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
While I strongly agree with this statement, I must also admit that I have had interaction with many people of different religious beliefs who are excellent Americans and excellent citizens. They believe in the religious freedoms this country offers and they embrace it as fervently as any Judeo-Christian citizen. These same people of different religious beliefs believe in the American way of life as strongly as any American citizen and they would equally protect everyone's religious beliefs.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
While I strongly disagree with this political statement, I will not tolerate these people be harassed, intimidated, terrorized, or persecuted. I would not tolerate someone going to their homes or place of employment for the purpose of making their lives miserable. These people still have the right in this Country to live their lives in peace. They still have the right to "Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness". That should not mean they have a right to any sport team or locker room.
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 United States Supreme Court has already ruled on this. It will take a US Constitutional Amendment to change this. It is doubtful that the Supreme Court will change their ruling.
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 religious. I am Catholic. I believe in christian teachings. I believe in the US Constitution and I firmly believe in the Bill of Rights contained in that document.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
There should be an identification. There should also be a method available where a voter can prove their identity or residence.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Right now I believe that the North Dakota laws on voting are solid, fair, and enforceable.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes- Racism goes against the principals of this Country.
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- These laws have already caused problems in the economy.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect the way of life that its citizens expect and demand. To protect citizens from foreign powers and the criminal element in society. To promote economic and employment opportunities where possible.
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
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Internet search should provide all answers.
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 am conservative. I believe in the US Constitution. I believe in public service. I would protect the interests of District 33 in the North Dakota Legislature and the Counties within that District.
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
Law Enforcement work is extremely challenging. Many times a Law Enforcement Officer must make a decision within a second. If the Officer is working within the law and policy, there needs to be immunity. If not, there will be less people willing to serve in Law Enforcement or any emergency service.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
While spending in Mental Health and Community Programs such as after school programs will assist in controlling crime, de-funding Law Enforcement to the point that there is not enough Officers to answer calls for service or provide minimal crime deterrence will be a disaster.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Current gun laws are sufficient. I will not support unconstitutional limits on gun ownership.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
It is the criminal or or a person with mental health issues who commit the crime or the dangerous act. A gun that is left in a closet, locked in a cabinet, or is not touched will never be involved in a criminal act or a dangerous action. A gun that is used in lawful shooting, target shooting, or hunting is never the problem. Manufacturers traditionally are only liable for their products when they were defective. That should not change for firearm manufacturers or dealers.
