Josh Vergiels
Libertarian | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Josh Vergiels
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 22
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Trine University, Angola, IN, BSME, 2009
WORK & MILITARY
N/A, N/A, N/A
AFFILIATIONS
Warsaw Masonic Lodge, Master Mason, Scottish Rite
32 Degree, Emmaus, Various Roles
Chrysalis, Various Roles, United Way
Volunteer, Libertarian Party of Kosciusko County, Various Roles
Hoosier Lakes Radio Club, ARES Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
N/A, N/A
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
N/A, N/A
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Donald Rainwater
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I don't believe abortions should be used as a matter of convenience. Whenever possible physicians should seek to protect both the life of the mother and the unborn child. If circumstances arise where that is not possible then they should use their best judgment to minimize harm to either party.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Agree
While I don't oppose birth control medication, if a pregnancy has been identified and chemicals are used to abort the fetus that should be monitored by a physician.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
There is no need or reason for these institutions to be publicly funded.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
I used to agree strongly with this but after seeing how Canada has progressed with this program I cannot endorse it blindly. I think terminally ill patients have a right to make decisions about their end of life care. I do not believe the state should in any way coerce or pressure people into ending their lives.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
I'm sure there's some extreme case somewhere out there where it might be justified (child abuse ring, front for a narcotics operation). But it would have to be a very obvious threat to the public for this to even be considered. Please note: sharing raw milk, holding services during COVID, and other blatant violation of basic human rights do NOT count.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
Businesses have the right to refuse service. If they refuse service on dubious or admirable grounds then word will get out and their business will grow or fail because of it.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
This is obvious to anyone with eyes.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The US should seek to maintain friendly relations with all nations where possible. There is no particular reason why Israel should be viewed differently in this context.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Healthcare should look like the veterinarian's office. Pricing should be readily available and transparent. If individuals want to form insurance pools that is their business but it should not be the default. The state should only be responsible for funding Veterans and other individuals with whom they have committed to providing those services. Medicaid and Medicare should be phased out as quickly as possible without breaching previously made commitments.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
They can "require" whatever they like. And people should be allowed to decline under the framework of informed consent, without fear of reprisal or retaliation.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
I am unwilling to compromise on this matter.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
It should be eliminated
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
Private individuals should be able to invest their money as they see fit. If they choose to invest for non-monetary reasons that is their right. However, there is an issue currently where cartel like entities are forcing institutional investors to abandon their fiduciary duty to their shareholders to pursue activist agendas. This is unacceptable and a blatant failure to uphold their most basic obligation.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Our current border policy is somehow the worst of all possible worlds and should be heavily revised immediately.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
Please look at my proposed policy to expand Indiana's voucher program, making it accessible to all parents AND expanding educational options for students.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
Depends on the program and what we're giving up. If it's between a second lake house for the police chief or a public park I'll take the park. If it's between general law enforcement and state subsidized narcotics abuse I'll fund the police thank you.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
It should be illegal to use a firearm to threaten or assault someone. It should be legal to defend yourself from assault with a firearm. That's it.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
I am open to training and storage requirements but generally yes.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No. I keep my hands to myself.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No. I do my best to stay out of trouble
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To arbitrate disputes between citizens, protect civil liberties, and execute foreign policy and defense.
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?
Moderate
I'm a libertarian which means Liberals think I'm extremely conservative, and conservatives think I'm extremely liberal. In reality I'm a reasonable person who assesses issues based on facts and merit rather than political ideology. I also believe (and history seems to be on my side here) that more government is often the worst solution to any given problem.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
There is a reason why we have age of consent, guardianship, and other special protections for children.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
There is a reason why we have age of consent, guardianship, and other special protections for children.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
The state should not pay for elective procedures.
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
Government should have zero say in marriage. If there is need to record agreements between two people then the government may do so, but marriage is a pledge between individuals to which the state has no jurisdiction.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian. I have found many churches to leave me wanting and instead prefer to keep my religious life private, sharing fellowship with family and friends.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voters should be required to provide reasonable proof of identity in order to cast their vote.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
Believe it or not the electoral college was set up on purpose and we would do wise to consider the founder's reasoning before disbanding it.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Growing up I didn't think so. But now it seems there are force seeking to divide us along racial lines and I fear they have had some success.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Postmodernism and it's derivatives (critical ____ theory) are a plague upon the earth.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Agree
I was raised in a time where we viewed women's sports as an achievement, allowing space for women to compete and achieve. I believe there is value in preserving that. However, if women now want to eliminate these then perhaps they deserve to lose them.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
C We can preserve and protect our environment without destroying our economy or our standard of living. Environmentalism is often used as a trojan horse for malthusian extremists.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Various technologies have strengths and weaknesses. We should be using technologies where they make sense. Nuclear is great for base load but is not ideal in all cases. Hydro, wind, solar, gas, and coal all have a role to play.
