Jodi Decker
Democrat | Michigan
Candidate Profile*
Leans Liberal
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jodi Decker
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 107
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste Marie, BS Criminal Justice, 2011
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
LIBERAL (5)
*American Federation of Teachers AFT Michigan
Progressive Turnout Project
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 25
Equality Michigan
*Michigan People's Campaign
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
AFSCME
Progressive Turnout Project
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
That should be decided between a woman and her doctor. I don't believe in using abortion AS contraception, but I do believe in access to care, especially in the cases of rape, incest and the health and life of the mother are in question.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Disagree
I don't believe healthcare should be withheld because of the ability to pay.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
That should be decided on a case by case basis. Mental illness should be disqualified. People in severe pain with a disease that can't be cured and they have no quality of life should be evaluated I believe.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I'm not an expert in tax code, I would look to experts before I would decide on voting on anything I'm not familiar with.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Again, I would consult with experts in this field before voting on anything to do with spending. I don't make any claims to know everything. But I can learn about anything. I have an understanding of economics but am not an economist.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Agree
I'm not sure if this means K-12 or including college, but I do think it would be helpful to the economy if two years of higher learning were covered, including certificate programs for people who don't want a 4 years degree but do want to be able to earn a living wage.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Agree
Business isn't and shouldn't be personal. If you offer a service to the public, you don't get to discriminate.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
I think under emergency declaration for a health emergency, as when covid first started, in order to protect the public at large.
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?
They have required vaccinations for school for children my entire life and should continue to do so.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
I'm more worried about domestic terrorism at this point. I'm running for a state seat, not federal.
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
I would have nothing to do with international response as a State House Representative.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Disagree
We need immigrants. We see help wanted signs everywhere and the lowest unemployment rates ever. We need more young workers.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Again, these are just my person thoughts, I would have nothing to do with immigration in the seat I'm running for. I think that we are seeing so much activity at our border because of war, famine and climate change. The countries being affected by hurricanes and draught is part of the backup at the border.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
I support the choice, but I don't think public school money should go to private schools that aren't monitored by educational standards.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Disagree
The Separation of Church and State is covered in the first amendment. Just because it doesn't say those exact words in the Constitution doesn't erode what the meaning is.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Agree
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 Disagree
Again, religion should not be entertained in legislation. Not everyone has the same God. I happen to be Catholic, but that doesn't mean I think a Jewish person or someone who is any other religion should follow what my God says. That's religious freedom.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Agree
I'm white. No reason to run from the truth. CRT is not taught in any public school. It's a graduate level class if you care to take it. I had never heard of it until the Right decided to use it as a scare tactic to send parents running to school boards and threatening officials.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm Catholic. I have a personal relationship with God and have attended catechism and received the sacraments.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
If people cannot afford an ID they should be able to apply for aid to get one. Then everyone can be expected to have one.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
That would depend on the current laws. They seem to keep changing. I believe in one person, one vote, and every vote counting.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes. The white supremacist groups have shown they are wanting to get violent with other Americans.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
I don't know what is meant to be reparations in this question.
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. Climate change is real and allowing businesses to pollute would be ignorant and detrimental to not just America, but the planet.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Neutral
I understand what fracking is, it is already used.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To Elect people that make decisions for the people based on the constituents wants and needs. To make people's lives better and safer.
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?
Liberal
I'm probably far left for this questionnaire.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Vote411.org, Ballotpedia.org, sooleader.com, various local newspapers, there are many...
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 and never.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I work in Family Preservation, which means I do prevention and reunification of kids in foster care. I have been a foster parent. I have seen the system from both sides and want to reform our foster system to make it work better and safer.
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
My degree is Criminal Justice and if policy is followed, I agree.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Neutral
I don't know that I would redirect funds unless they are marked for those purposes anyway, but mental health is part of the Criminal Justice system and Correctional system.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I don't think private citizens need weapons that can kill massive amounts off people such as weapons of war. When the police are outgunned, they are put in danger. I back the blue. There need to be safe storage laws so children cannot get their hands on weapons at home or in vehicles. Background checks could be done every four years like renewing your driver's license. Circumstances change.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Neutral
That should be decided on a case by case basis.
