Ron Hawkins
Democrat | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ron Hawkins
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 45
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa, BA Public Administration, 1979
WORK & MILITARY
United States Air Force, SSGT E-5, 4 years 9 months 21 days
AFFILIATIONS
American Federation of Government Employees, Vice President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
NONE (SUBJECT TO HATCH ACT FOR 41 YEARS)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Representative to State Legislature 63rd District, 2018 & 2020
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (1)
Michigan Association for Justice
OTHER (1)
Michigan Health Choice Alliance
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Michigan Health Choice Alliance, Justice PAC
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
This is an individual moral decision. This decision is between the woman, her doctor and her god. The State involvement is not appropriate.
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
The danger for abuse precludes my supporting this type of legislation. Probate court guardianship is an example where an individual has their rights removed and transfered to another individual, the guardian, who may make a decison to not only deprive the individual of the liberty and assets but untimately their life.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Implement a State Sales Tax of 10%, Eliminate the State Income Tax.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Identify reduction in force triggers for all State Executive Agencies, State Legislative staff and Judical staff when budget revenues will not support budget expenditures. When coupled to a 10% sales tax as the revenue source government decisions will be required to consider the economic impact of decisions.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly 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
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None. The United States Constitution , Amendment I. The State of Michigan Constitution Article I S3 and S4.
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?
Rescind the Patroit Act, the 1947 National Security Act, the Federal Reserve Act to include all rules and regulations derived therefrom. Repeal the Amendment XVI to the United States Constitution to include all laws, rules and regulations derived or implemented as a result of this Amendment. If the military forces of the United States are to be involved in conflict outside the United States then the President must ask for declairation of war whcih Congress may approve. Today we have both govermental and non-governmental organizations who forment conditions which arrouse armed conflict. The Islamic terrorism is a direct result of this.
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
The United States should not be involved in this issue.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Yes. We should withdraw our military forces from overseas to secure our boders.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We should establish a workers permit program that allows establishment of residency in a non-imigrant status. This should be implemented and all individuals currently in the United State illegally allowed a grace period to apply for and receive a workers permit. Upon the end of the grace period all non-citizens illegally in the United States should be removed to thier country of orgin or birth. Once stablilized, imigration laws should be reviewed in their entirity and then revised.
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.
Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly 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
Disagree
I believe that individuals in a committed relationship should be allowed a legal civil union with the same legal rights a tarditional marriage affords.
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.
My parents and grandparents were Methodist which forms the spritual values of my childhood. As an adult I have lived disserent cultures. My life experiences have expanded my spritual beliefs and I, with my wife are Buddhist. We allowed our children to determine their spiritual beliefs and they are both Christian. My spiritual beliefs and values are a result of the sum of my life experiences. My wife tells me I am to honest to be a politician and I would agree. I have provided my honest opinions and answers to the questions asked. You may agree or disagree based on your own beliefs and values.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
A photo ID is required for many common transactions.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Voter ID requirements; prohibiting clerks from sending absentee ballot applications unless requested Expand voting period: Open polls from the Friday through Tuesday 6am – 9pm daily. Require all absentee ballots be received by 3am Tuesday, with counting to begin at 6am Tuesday. Require all absentee ballots have both signature and fingerprint validation. The Technology to support fingerprint verification is available at Secretary of State offices. In Asia the fingerprint is identification on legal documents. Require all ballots be paper and these records be maintained in a central state depository for a minimum of two years. The present primary system is structured to support the two major parties. Expand this to include all parties and independents or eliminate this and require party nominees be determined by party convention. All millage and ballot initiative issues that are voted on by less than 51% of the registered voters are to be delared failed.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Not at this time. Individuals may have predijuces, but are not racist in a manner that they threaten domestic security. However, the use of CRTmay create conditions where racism is developed at a young age.
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. 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
For the first time in my adult lifetime we were energy independent. Now we are not.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
It is limited to the responsibilities defined by the United States Constitution and the State of Michigan Constitution.
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?
Lean Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
I have not had interviews or media reports in this election. I do not engauge in social media because of my National Security Agency (NSA) training and my work experience. I have stated my views on my website. I have honestly answered your questions. I can only offer the results of the 2020 Democratic 63rd District primary election as a public record you can review. The newsmedia stated it was the closest hose race in Michigan. I had clearly won the Calhoun County portion of the District. Kalamazoo County counting went into the next day and I lost the election due to only 3 specific Kalamazoo precincts whose vote differences percentages did not allign with the other precincts. I was maligned by some Kalamazoo progressives as a Republican running as a Democrat.
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?
(1) Rescind Public Act 51 and replace with legislation that defines road funding per mile and moves these monies directly to the township level. (2) Eliminate the retirement tax (3) Provide public awareness of the Probate Court Guardianship system problems and enact corrective legislation and effective oversight. (4) Sponsor and support Constitutional Carry legislation.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
If misconduct is involved then the officers has violated his/her oath of office and immunity should not apply. This is a case to case basis which involves local policies.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
This is an issue that should be determined at the local level.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Gun control is exactly that, "CONTROL". Enact Constitutional Carry legislation in Michigan. Gun owners have a responsibility to store and secure their guns, however this should be a State regulated issue.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Victms of gun violence have suffered a criminal act. The criminal is the responsible party.
