Colin Lovett
Democrat | Missouri
Candidate Profile*
Liberal
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Colin Lovett
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Representative, Dist. 100
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Missouri St. Louis, St. Louis, Bachelors, 2007
University of Missouri St. Louis, St. Louis, Masters, 2019
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
LGBT Center of St. Louis, President, Board of Directors; Board Member, Volunteer, St. Louis Civic Orchestra
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
First-time Candidate
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
First-time Candidate
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 (12)
*SEIU HCII
*United Auto Workers
Run for Something
#VOTEPROCHOICE
Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri
OTHER (2)
*St. Louis Labor Council
Missouri Kansas Laborers' District Council
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Greater St. Louis Labor Council AFL-CIO
Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri
Pro-Choice Missouri
PROMO PAC
Access MO
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
ConversationsMO (2021)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2022)
Peter Merideth (2021)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (7)
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (2022)
Helena Webb (2022)
International Union of Operating Engineers (2022)
International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (2022)
Laborers International Union of North America (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
The government should not be allowed to restrict people's right to make personal and private choices about their bodies, including abortion or any reproductive healthcare services.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Disagree
Abortion providers should be allowed to receive federal, state, or local funding and not receive different treatment than any other qualifying healthcare services provider.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I support tax code modifications that reduce tax assessment for low-income earners and the middle class. Tax law enforcement is critical to ensuring people and businesses pay their fair share. We should not blindly gut income taxes just because it sounds good on paper. Any major changes to taxation and revenue collection should be assessed for impact to ensure we don't negatively impact critical services to our local, state, and federal populations.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The Missouri budget experienced a surplus of almost $5 Billion in 2022. This money should be spent on critical education, infrastructure, and healthcare services that our people need. I do believe in keeping the budget balanced, and if there was a deficit, would consider opportunities to increase revenue and decrease spending that doesn't disproportionately impact our young, disabled, low-income, and elderly populations.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Agree
Adding post-K-12 educational programs, either public community college or trade education and apprenticeship programs will help skill our workforce, reduce unemployment, and create incentives to stay in Missouri after high school to settle and work.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Agree
We should not license discrimination by allowing the denial of services on the sole basis of protected class status, such as gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, etc.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
We enjoy freedom OF religion; this does not mean churches are above the law. They should have to abide by the same rules that other entities are bound to. In cases of a public health emergency, legal orders, or other lawful action, churches can be closed just as any other public entity.
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?
Governments, schools, and employers are faced with many challenges, including keeping the people within them safe from public health emergencies. In some cases to prevent the outbreak of dangerous communicable diseases, these entities may elect to require vaccinations, so long as said vaccinations have shown in clinical studies to be effective and safe. Although governments, schools, and employers cannot mandate a person get a vaccination, they should be allowed to prevent employment or attendance in public spaces without one to protect the health of the greater population. Workarounds may be possible, such as working/participating remotely; however, in cases where a virtual workaround is not viable, entities should enjoy the power to limit access to those who are vaccinated, in an effort to minimize the spread of infectious disease.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We should first understand that any form of terrorism, domestic or religious in nature, is not welcome here and will be fought at all costs. Terrorism from one specific religion should not be the sole focus of our national security plan. We should continue to fund and rely on our agencies, including but not limited to the FBI, CIA, US Military, and other departments dedicated to the prevention of violence and terror at home and abroad.
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
It is unlikely this topic will be addressed in the office I seek, but I do welcome information and opinions on this topic to be better engaged and informed on my constituents' perspectives.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Neutral
The US should protect all its borders; I do not understand yet all of the factors to determine if border security is truly adequate or needs improvement.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Almost all of us are descendants of immigrants. People who seek for themselves and their children freedom and justice from oppressive governments, who can provide benefit and value to our country, who are willing to work and pay taxes and abide by the Constitution and system of laws, and who enter and immigrate lawfully should be allowed to immigrate. That said, our US immigration process needs significant work to streamline the process and make it accessible for people who wish to migrate here legally, but are sometimes under duress or without the resources needed to move through the process effectively. We should offer the many people who are here in limbo, either through DACA or some other means of unclear immigration, a pathway to citizenship if they abide by US law and seek to be good citizens in the community.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Disagree
I do not support public tax dollars from these programs, but don't believe they should be prohibited. Public tax dollars should go towards schools that can be publicly held accountable, via locally elected school boards, and must follow standard thresholds of quality set by local, state, and federal government. Defunding public education and treating it like the free market is a dangerous path to leaving children behind.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Disagree
I believe strongly in the separation of church and state. There are many religions that people in our country believe in, many of which have their own frameworks of morality. The government should not impose any particular religion on its citizens.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
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
I believe in marriage equality for two individuals to be lawfully married. I am in a committed, loving, same-sex marriage and it works great! If you don't want gay marriage, don't get one, but we should not deny marriage opportunities based on religious definitions of marriage.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Neutral
Critical Race Theory is a topic covered in law school (post K12) that theorizes how specific legal structures are disproportionately biased toward certain races. It is not taught in K12 schools and I strongly believe we need to move past CRT as an excuse to sue teachers and schools to ultimately privatize them.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Did not answer
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
We historically have enjoyed good processes that prevent voter fraud that did not require photo identification. If we are going to increase identification requirements to vote, we should extend the number of voting days and increase access (both location and time) to vote. Same-day photo IDs should be able to be granted to not bar someone from the right to vote solely because they lack an unexpired photo ID.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Make voter registration automatic with other processes, like citizenship, or obtaining a photo ID/driver's license. Allow no-excuse absentee and voting by mail. Making election day a state/federal holiday and/or increasing protections for people to leave work to vote. Add bi-partisan oversight to the Secretary of State before purging voter registration or ballot initiatives Standing up to changes to our initiative petition process (the MO Legislature considered in 2022 to make getting things on the ballot more difficult, so people could not vote on things and leave it to the legislature; things like puppy mill bans, medical marijuana, Medicaid Expansion, Right to Work, etc.)
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes - institutional racism is real and must be addressed.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
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.
C) We have to incentivize the economy by investing in clean and renewable energy to shift jobs from the fossil fuel industry. The actions we take today impact the longevity and cleanliness of our environment for future generations. I believe we have to take care of our planet.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Neutral
It may be necessary now while we transition and invest in clean and renewable sources of energy. Eventually, this should be phased out, once renewable energy sources are economically viable.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To serve its citizens by upholding the Constitution. To make our lives and society better by managing regulation, provision of social services, and public welfare. To consistently review and assess whether or not laws should be changed to reflect societal evolution and ensure our laws and government work for our citizens.
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 Liberal
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.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I'm from the district and have the education, experience, empathy, and ability to listen to diverse perspectives. As a gay man, I know firsthand what it's like to face discrimination. I will be a voice of reason and fight for our community's dignity and rights to live, thrive, and grow in Missouri. I will drive the Missouri House of Representatives to act with integrity and create a welcoming environment for all people. I will collaborate with other elected officials to get things done in the Capitol instead of wasting time and tax dollars, and especially opportunities to do good things for our people. I believe in social justice and fairness as well as balanced budgets and not being irresponsible with our tax dollars. My legislative priorities include (but are not limited to): The Economy: - Good pay for honest work - Protecting the rights and abilities of employees to unionize - Attracting new companies to Missouri Schools: - Tax dollars should go to public schools that we can hold accountable, including access to post K-12 community colleges - We should pay teachers better and provide the necessary tools to teach - Diversity and inclusion policies protect our most vulnerable students and staff - Curriculum should reflect our actual history; we should equip our kids with truth and the ability to critically think Healthcare: - Healthcare is a right for ALL Missourians and should be accessible regardless of income - Medicaid expansion should be upheld and funded; access to care should not be blocked
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Neutral
I support our police and believe we should equip them with the tools and funding to be able to serve and protect our communities from harm. This includes giving them the tools to hold officers who violate policy and the law accountable. Qualified immunity is not a yes/no answer - there are situations where officers should be given latitude in pressing situations. However, no officer is above the law, and qualified immunity could be improved to better reflect its original purpose.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
I do not support defunding the police. I do support adding services, including mental health and community programs, where applicable. I believe we need additional clarification in Missouri's Second Amendment Preservation Act, which as written, penalizes our police for keeping our streets safe by fining them for applying or assisting in the enforcement of any federal gun law where there is no existing Missouri law.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We need better red-flag laws to prevent the purchase of guns by people who are at elevated risk of committing violent crimes (i.e. domestic abusers, felony convicts, and people with certain mental health disparities). Background checks should be expanded to include internet sales and gun shows. A clear process is needed to ensure second amendment rights are honored. We should consider aligning the age of certain firearms purchases with the purchase of alcohol (i.e. 21+ years old). High-capacity magazines (20+) are unnecessary for home defense; banning access would be a step toward public safety. Injury liability should extend to the registered owner of a gun unless the gun is reported stolen. This places responsibility on the person purchasing guns for other people who commit violent acts that could not otherwise purchase a gun and incentivizes gun owners to responsibly lock their guns when not in use.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Neutral
