Jerry O'Connor
Republican | Wisconsin
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jerry O'Connor
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
Repr. to the Assembly, Dist. 52
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking, Madison, WI, Graduate, 2001
Minnesota Bible College, Rochester, MN
WORK & MILITARY
The National Bank of Waupun (NBW Bank), President & CEO, 14
AFFILIATIONS
Charis Pregnancy Help Center, Board Chair, JBO memorial Center for Low Vision Help
Board Committee, eCenter For Hope & Vision, Inc., Board Treasurer
Wisconsin Bankers Assn, Past Board Chair, Community Bankers of Wisconsin
Past Board Chair, Rotary Club, Past Board Chair
FDL County Capital Resources Board, Past Board Member, FDL County Economic Development Corp
Past Board Member, Waupun Industrial Development Corp, Board Treasurer
FDL Area Agri-Business Council & County 4-H Horse project, Past Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (3)
*Pro-Life Wisconsin Victory Fund
Wisconsin Family Action PAC
Wisconsin Right to Life
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Wisconsin Right To Life PAC
Wisconsin Family Council PAC
Wisconsin Realtors Assn PAC
Wisconsin Bankers Assn PAC
25 current and former elected officials
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Glenn Grothman (2022)
Ron Johnson (2021)
WinRed (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
*Election Transparency Initiative's Candidate Pledge and Survey
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I would vote to uphold Wisconsin law that prohibits abortion except for the exclusion to save the life of the Mother
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.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
At the State level, I would support converting to a State Sales tax to support government operations. I believe this would keep government far more accountable for budget management and will make it more difficult to raise taxes out of sight of the public
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I believe there are many programs based on the real life benefits to the taxpayers. Once I am sitting in the legislature I will join forces to create more transparency and justification for our State budget line items
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate notified iVoterGuide.com that his answer should have included "The end goal of this process is to create a budget that is balanced and meets the definition of being “a long-term economically sustainable strategy” that is adopted for the benefit of all Wisconsin citizens."
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
The majority of our High School graduates do not go on to College. It would be unfair for those future families to pay for the benefits of the minority who pursue a College Degree. Additionally, there are a number of degrees that would not qualify as a good investment of taxpayer dollars. Bad idea right up there with forgiving student loan debt. It is an unnecessary burden to the general public
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
This would be a violation of our Constitutional rights
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
This is a violation of the 1st Amendment
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate notified iVoterGuide.com that his answer should have been "None. This is a violation of the 1st Amendment language: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free practice thereof;” The Churches have the right and responsibility to govern themselves under this constitutional contract."
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.
B
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?
Real threats should be treated as real threats. Institute targeted surveillance and investigation of Islamic terrorist activities in a fashion as applied in Israel
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
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those that enter legally under the laws passed by the legislature and signed into law by the President. Executive Orders can be used to create immigration law which is not the role of the President
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate notified iVoterGuide.com that his answer should have been "Those that enter legally under the laws passed by the legislature and signed into law by the President. Executive Orders should not be used to create immigration law which is the role of the legislature."
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
Parents are the primary stakeholders in their children's education.
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 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 first and conservative second. I believe the Judeo-Christian beliefs are the primary means of sustaining our nation. I have filled in as a Pastor on occasions, spent 20 years in prison ministry, hosted many home Bible Studies. The greatest honor we can achieve in this life is to be identified as a Bond Servant of Jesus Christ
Marriage between one man and one woman and the families they form are the foundation of civilization and are fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of Wisconsin.
Strongly Agree
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
In the last Wisconsin legislative session 26 election integrity bills were passed by the legislature only to be vetoed by our liberal Governor. I will vote to bring these bills back to the table, enhance where possible and get these bills passed under a new Republican Governor
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Only in the minds of the Woke socialist left. This narrative is being pushed by those who choose to divide this country or have fund it is a great way of raising money and the use those funds for their personal benefit (e.g. BLM)
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate notified iVoterGuide.com that his answer should have been "Only in the minds of the Woke socialist left. Their goal is to divide the country along racial lines. With all the noise and the destruction they have fostered they have done little to resolve any issues affecting the communities they claim to represent."
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
First consider that no one alive today in American has been a slave or a slave owner. Second, billions of tax dollars have been expended over the years to provide assistance to challenged minority communities. Reparations are a left wing talking point and today's citizens have no moral obligation to support this over-reach of an unjustified idea
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.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The basic responsibilities of government are to provide for public safety, enact and uphold justice and to assist those who cannot help themselves. The role of government should be limited and the majority of decisions should come from State legislatures rather than the Federal complex.
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate notified iVoterGuide.com that his answer should have been, "The basic responsibilities of government are
to provide for public safety, enact and uphold justice, protect the nation and
its borders from foreign threats and to assist those who cannot help
themselves. The role of government should be limited and the majority of
decisions should come from State legislatures rather than the Federal complex."
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
I am a traditional conservative who believes that we need to take the time to explain why time-tested conservative principles will produce the best forms of long-term economic sustainable outcomes for the public in every area touched by government
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Too soon in our primary process. Sorry
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?
We need strong qualified conservatives to stand in the marketplace of ideas and make the case that our ideas can preserve a nation, as has been the case for most of America's history.
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate notified iVoterGuide.com that his answer should have included,
"I am a retired Bank CEO and have served as a Board
Chair for numerous organizations both locally and state-wide. I can go sit on a bench and leave the day’s
issues behind. But, then again, I can’t…I am not pursuing this seat for money or for a
career. I am standing up because I care
about where America is headed. If good
capable conservatives are not engaged in today’s legislatures, we all
lose. Help me return Madison back to the
people."
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
These are separate responsibilities and should be addressed separately. Defunding police does not work
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Restrictions for convicted felons and those determined through a court of law to b a threat to society
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
