Portia Shepherd
Libertarian | Alabama
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Portia Shepherd
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Senate, Dist. 23
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Miles College, Fairfield, Political Science, 2006
New England College, Henniker, Non-Profit Leadership and Management, 2016
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Member
City of Uniontown Park and Recreation Board, Board Member
Perry County School System Hippy Board, Board Member
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Member
Libertarian Party of Alabama, At Large Representative Region One
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Alabama Cannabis Coalition
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Alabama Cannabis Coalition
OTHER INFORMATION
Portia Shepherd completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Survey in 2022
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Did not answer
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Choose not to answer
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Choose not to answer
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Choose not to answer
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
I do not believe there is a circumstance in which the government can close a church.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Stop funding the enemy and being shocked when they turn against you.
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.
Choose not to answer
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) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I do not believe there should be mandates regarding vaccinations.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I would decrease taxes as much as possible.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would evaluated all spending and see which expenditure has the greatest budget with the least results.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Choose not to answer
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Did not answer
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Choose not to answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Choose not to answer
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Choose not to answer
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Choose not to answer
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government's job is to not infringe on individual's rights, but to be the voice of the people they were elected to serve.
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?
Choose not to answer
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Economic development is the process by which people within our communities get wealthier, healthier, better educated and have greater access to good quality, affordable housing according to targeted goals and objectives. It is our job and our duty as citizens to take back control of our communities in a positive effort to increase our quality of life. EDUCATION Education is the best way for people to improve their quality of life by decreasing their chances of unemployment, increasing their earning potential, and meeting their career goals. Unfortunately, out of all 50 states, Alabama is ranked at the bottom of the list. I want to address the deficits in government funding for school, the challenges with technology in education, the decrease in teacher's salaries, and the growing problems with student poverty. Decriminalization of Cannabis Decriminalization of cannabis means it would remain illegal, but the legal system would not prosecute a person for possession under a specified amount. Instead, the penalties would range from no penalties at all to civil fines, thereby not affecting employment, housing, or travel opportunities. Thousands of prisoners have been convicted for an activity that is no longer a crime across several states and I think it is time to put an end to that! ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS There are so many communities in the Blackbelt of Alabama that have been suffering with major mechanical failures with their water and sewage infrastructure. This issue has led to a surge in diseases that are typically found only in developing countries. As US citizens, we deserve top quality water, sewage and sanitation facilities. I believe EVERYONE should have access to clean water and clean air, which is why I have been working to develop federal policies that lift up blackbelt communities that have the burden of environmental pollution and exploitation.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Choose not to answer
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
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Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
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I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
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Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm a believer.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Choose not to answer
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
If you are an American citizen you should have the right vote, the voting laws should be changed to reflect that.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Government should neither deny nor abridge any individual’s human right based upon sex, wealth, ethnicity, creed, age, national origin, personal habits, political preference, or sexual orientation.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Choose not to answer
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.
B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Choose not to answer
