Matthew Fransein
Non-Partisan | Oklahoma
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matthew Fransein
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary Runoff & Tulsa City Council
Race
Tulsa City Council, District 4
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
American University, Washington, D.C., International Studies, 2010
WORK & MILITARY
United States Peace Corps - Cambodia, Peace Corps Volunteer, 2010-2012
AFFILIATIONS
Reading Partners, Development Manager and Tutor, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry
Development Director, Oklahoma Coalition Against Trafficking Task Force, Steering Committee
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
- Statement of Organization
- Statement of Organization (Amended)
- Contributions and Expenditures Report - June 16-27, 2022
- $30.00 expenditure to Oklahoma Democratic Party
- Please note: The following information was received by iVoterGuide after Panel Evaluations occurred and is for additional educational purposes only:
- Contributions and Expenditures Report - June 27 - August 10, 2022
OTHER INFORMATION
Voter Record from Tulsa County Clerk indicates candidate's Political Affiliation is Democratic (as of 6/22/2022).
Election Voting History for Matthew James Fransein during time of residence in district and/or at current address:
- Voted in 0 Primary elections
- Voted in 0 Presidential Preferential Primary elections
- Voted in 2 General elections
**Voter history is not considered during panel evaluations.**
Would be the first openly gay Tulsa City Council member.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Choose not to answer
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Choose not to answer
I support laws which allow a municipality to enact a Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance.
Choose not to answer
ECONOMY
Private development is a legitimate justification for taxpayer-funded incentives such as property tax abatements and taxpayer-backed loans.
Agree
It is the responsibility of city government to provide subsidized housing at taxpayer expense.
Neutral
I am in favor of shared public/private pilot programs to determine the success of initiatives before going full-in. If determined to provide a positive impact and sustainability, I would be strongly in favor.
Property taxes should be abolished.
Disagree
I support using taxpayer funds to lobby the state legislature and/or U.S. Congress.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Government should not discriminate against individuals, organizations, or business owners who affirm marriage as between one man and one woman.
Neutral
I do not believe government should dictate an individual's faith or personal liberties.
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Agree
IMMIGRATION
City officials should have the right to proclaim their city a sanctuary city for illegal aliens.
Neutral
VALUES
Individuals should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on their "gender identity."
Choose not to answer
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Baptized Eastern Orthodox Christian. "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye." (NRSV, Matthew 7:1-5)
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Neutral
I believe in the fundamental right for individual liberty and a respect for others. We should be open and honest with our history and embrace our growth. One can only grow through reflection of self - a country is no different. Our country has both good and bad and we should not hide from either.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
All filings by candidates for municipal office, including ballot application and campaign finance reports, should be available for public online access on the city website within 24 hours of filing deadline.
Agree
The majority of campaign reports within 24 hours of filing deadline will have minimal expenses - especially for smaller races. As a project and contracts manager, I am a stickler for prompt reporting. However, my expenses and donor income did not begin until 24 hours into my filing.
Ballot measures which include bond issues should fully disclose both the potential tax rate increase and actual monetary increase for the average single family residence.
Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
It is the responsibility of taxpayers via city government to subsidize green initiatives, including electric vehicle charging stations and procuring solar and wind-generated electricity.
Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To provide non-partisan support structures to its citizens - regardless of religion, race, or personal circumstances. A government must provide oversight for its institutions, assurances of personal and community safety, as well as keeping the interests of the majority at the forefront. As local legislators, council members are responsible for and responsive to the citizens who elected them. Below is what we are capable of promising to work toward: Review and approve the annual budget; Establish long- and short-term objectives and priorities; Communicate policies and programs to residents; Oversee performance of the local public employees; Oversee effectiveness of programs; Establish tax rates; Enter into legal contracts; Pass ordinances and resolutions; Regulate land use through zoning laws; Regulate business activity through licensing and regulations; Regulate public health and safety; Exercise the power of eminent domain; Respond to constituent needs and complaints; and Represent the community to other levels of government.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I was raised by a judge and an ex-Green Beret/Tulsa PD. I respect the rule of law and the concept of a government that supports all. My parents both taught me the importance of seeing both sides of any situation and being open to growth through compromise and moderation. With a decade of project management experience ranging from Afghanistan, Cambodia, Western Africa, Macedonia, and D.C., I returned to Tulsa in 2018 and have worked with Reading Partners for three years as their development manager to support improving youth literacy in Tulsa. Currently, I work as a development director to support Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry's efforts to create the first youth residential facility for those affected by human trafficking in the state of Oklahoma. I have had the pleasure of working with State Representatives across the aisle to write legislation to enhance victims' rights and state protections within the judicial system. Of the three laws drafted and proposed, two were signed into law by our Governor in 2022. When I say I seek nonpartisanship for city council, I mean it. I seek to work beyond our individual beliefs and politics to ensure our community and our city work in tandem to support one-another.
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2012 General Election 2014 General Election 2016 General Election 2018 General Election 2020 General Election
Candidates and officeholders should be required to disclose all business investments and real estate, whether in the city or in an area currently proposed for annexation.
Agree
Please list your business investments and/or real estate, whether within the city or in an area currently proposed for annexation.
Private residence in District 4. No business investments or holdings otherwise. The only thing I stand to gain from this election is a councilor who will prioritize the role of council over personal demagoguery.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to immigration and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Tulsa World Interview (upcoming). This is a non-partisan race.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
Public safety is an institutional component of governance and civilization. An underfunded and ineffective police would only worsen our current circumstances. Rather than taking away from, we should focus on sustainable allocation of funding, increased collaboration and agreements between service providers and police, and city supports to ensure their work is both accountable and supported.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I was given my first gun at the age of seven - a .22 pistol from my Green Beret/Tulsa Police officer/defense attorney father. I respect the power of guns and their place in personal safety. While one could be idealistic and believe a world without self-protection could exist with a few quick fixes, I simply do not believe we will reach that idea of utopia any time soon. At the end of the day, I think any individual has the right to protect themselves, their family, and property. I'm pro-hunting, pro-gun range, and pro-gun safety. The compromise exists in the middle ground. Outside of gun shows, gun ranges, or my three years in Afghanistan, I do not see any reason that open carry should allow for semi-automatic and military-grade weapons in public. Guns at that level should include a requisite hour-based training requirement which also acts as a cooling-off period. Focus on weapons that go beyond a direct purpose such as hunting, home and personal safety to name the most basic uses. What we are doing now does not work. The complete reverse is not an answer. We must work together to find what we can immediately do while maintaining personal safety and autonomy.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Agree
All official open meetings should be live streamed, recorded, and have transcripts available online for public access.
Strongly Agree
Any emergency executive order (EO) should be subject to review and override by the city council in a special meeting called no later than 14 days following issue of the EO.
Agree
LOCAL
Please list up to six issues or projects that you think need the most attention, in priority order.
1. Support to and accountability of core city and state services and a budget that reflects the needs and capabilities of those services; 2. City alignment with current community needs regarding single-family, multi-family complexes, and opportunities for businesses that improve access to the basics; 3. Nonpartisan, community-minded approach to city council outcomes and research-based decision making. Districts shouldn't be competing for projects like an OU versus OSU football game.
I support annual financial audits of every city department by an independent, third party auditor.
Agree
