Nick Henry
Democrat | Montana
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
Nick Henry
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Representative, Dist. 22
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
MSU, BA History/Secondary Education, 2004
Al Akawayn University, Morocco, summer 1998
various courses in Economics, English, Nutrition, Anatomy & Physiology, Native American Studies, etc
WORK & MILITARY
Substitute Teacher, 8 years
English Teacher in South Korea
Child Protection Specialist, 4 years
Youth Mental Health, 3 years
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 (3)
*Montana Conservation Voters
Montana AFL-CIO
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana
OTHER (2)
Montana Federation of Public Employees - MFPE
Montana Sportsmen Alliance PAC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
2022 Ballotpedia Survey
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
All circumstances where the indiv
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate finished by saying: "All circumstances. I do believe that every effort should be made through funding, access to assistance, in helping to reduce the number of those 'procedures' brought on by accidents/choice. Government-regulated pregnancies and a system of bureaucratic red-tape for a mother to go through in order to get a procedure is just another unnecessary example of government control over the individual of that which should be a personal choice."
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate added: " None of these funds are used to perform abortions and only serve to better assist a needy community. To restrict these funds based on personal and moral opinion is almost criminal as it translates to a growing unhealthy society."
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered by saying: "I cannot or would not ever deny this option to an individual suffering from extreme medical issues. Yet another example of legislating a personal choice that the government should not be involved with."
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered :"The bottom line is, if we reduce taxes, what program/services are cut? The trick is to sharpen both ends of the pencil--so to speak. More government is only the solution if no other solution exists so if we can find a way to reduce the right taxes in order to spur the economy forward, achieving the SAME goal, then THAT is preferable to more government."
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
In Montana, we are required to have a Balanced Budget. I am not running for Federal Office.
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate finished his answer by saying: "Personally, I think we should have a balanced budget at the Federal Level in the same way, however this could have many unanticipated consequences, including the Federal Government’s ability to combat problems as they arise. Right or wrong, so many people in our nation have been dependent on the Federal Government for protection and we must ensure that these protections are not lost if and when the Federal Government balances its budget."
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate added: " I would also like to see Trade Schools and other Business-building programs included within this--not limiting assistance to only University students."
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate added: "I believe that in a secular society, such as ours, our own moral and religious beliefs are our own. Like ANY of our rights and liberties, they should not be used as a means to discriminate another for having different moral and/or religious beliefs. I believe that the amount of religious freedom in out nation has been on par with the best in the world, and sadly, 'Religious Liberty' has been used all to often as a means to justify some pretty ugly behavior."
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"It is important to explain that I read churches as "houses of worship" and believe that just like any other religious organization, the government should stay out unless the actions of the organization begin infringing on the rights and liberties of others; i.e., criminal activity, etc."
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.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. I believe that one of the reasons for high medical costs are that Insurances companies offer a subsidy which people by and large cannot afford on their own. The big question is, would prices drop if insurances were not there to subsidize? If not one can afford medication 'A', and no insurance company with deep pockets pays, the price of 'A' may likely decrease."
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"If the vaccination is such that NOT being vaccinated puts others at risk (small pox), I support an organization such as the military, schools, etc requiring it. HOWEVER, in the case of the Covid 'vaccinations", there does not seem to be a risk to others for 'Bill' NOT being vaccinated, only Bill, which is his decision alone."
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate added: "I believe that the cornerstone of National Defense is any threat foreign or domestic, and I cannot in good conscience single out a single faith because of this. History shows that any faith is capable of producing some very horrific and inhumane zealots. Many of the horrific examples of religious terrorism we have seen in the last few decades are choices made in response to our questionable foreign policy.One thing that can be done in that respect is to ensure we are not playing double standards on the world stage when it comes to regions where Islam is a predominant faith. We will simultaneously support a Christian separatist group in Indonesia, but turned a blind eye to Islamic separatist groups in Chechnya.Even here at home, we will paint some pretty awful behavior as a 'religious liberty' but undoubtedly call foul when 'sharia' law, arguably a religious liberty, comes into play.Terrorism is Terrorism. Deal with it as a crime."
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.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "I do not believe in boycotting, divestment, etc of Israel but do believe it to be in very bad taste to continue being the primary military supplier of that nation, and like many other nations, perhaps we should not made monetary aid to those countries especially when aid to our own citizens is so controversial. I believe we should pressure Israel into ending its decades-long policy of apartheid against the Palestinian people and find a longer-lasting and cooperative system of rule."
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered "Yes I do. Unfortunately I believe that the poor immigrant has been unfairly labeled the 'poster child' for this crisis and this has sadly led many humanitarians to sidestep the issue altogether.Border Security is crucial, however I do NOT believe the things we FEAR crossing the border can fairly be placed on the backs of poor immigrants. 120,000 passenger vehicles cross the border EVERY SINGLE DAY. We need to secure our border but FOCUS on HOW drugs like Fentanyl get all the way up to Montana. Vehicles are the most likely culprit across the border, and after that, it is now OUR problem."
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "Anyone should be allowed to immigrate to the USA by going through the proper channels. The process for many of our poor European ancestors to immigrate here has been complicated greatly. We must focus on how to streamline the process for our poorer immigrants and help ourselves to recall that desperation can often lead to innovation with the right stimuli (Freedom)."
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "The role of Public Education is to teach the student what society needs them to lean. The role of a Private School is to teach the student what the parents want. Public tax money should NEVER be used to fund a private school--this is illegal in the state of Montana.I support every parent's right to augment their child's education at home. If more parents actually took the time to have a relationship with their child most of the issues related to this would be nullified."
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "I do not believe that Judeo-Christian beliefs are a necessary requirement for our system of government. They may have played strongly in the founding of our nation but so did Greco-Roman political philosophy and even mathematics. The United States of America is not a theocracy."
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "Absolutely."
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "Marriage is a custom that has existed since Neolithic times and predates all modern religions and nations. Marriage existed as a union between 2 (or more) individuals long before the word 'God' was ever spoken. No government has the authority to change that fact."
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "I believe Racism is a disorder, and like any disorder I do not blame or consider it insulting to raise awareness to it. That being said, asserting that there are institutions in the United States that tend to favor one group more than another is really not as revolutionary as many of us would believe.Our nation, like each and every one of us, must occasionally re-evaluate our views to make sure they are in line with the natural state of things--and we must not shy away from the skeletons in our closet so long as to mistake unintended consequences as intentional ones.I believe that most of us who ‘disagree’ with Critical Race Theory, have not attempted to understand what it teaches, have allowed others to define it for us, and believe that the feelings it raises in ourselves, i.e., guilt, etc says as much about ourselves as it does about "CRT" itself.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "I believe that Faith gives us Purpose, just as Science gives us Process. Just as Sir Isaac Newton believed he had stumbled upon the mechanisms God had used to create the universe, so too did Darwin believe he had stumbled upon the mechanism used to create life.I find a sense of rapture in realizing all life is connected, and a sense of absolute humility in my little place within it.I believe we were created a step above the beasts, and a step below the angels, but were given the choice to become what we will.I practice following the Red Road. I try to remain humble, pray for others, pray only for myself sparingly, and ask God to keep my mind strong, my heart open, and my courage solid. I do not shy away from ending my prayers with 'Amen' because that is my way. I do not shy away from discussing faith with anyone, but will not tolerate anyone telling anyone their faith is wrong.I love the diversity of faith our world has."
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "Of course, but they must not be able to register without proving who they are."
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "In a close Presidential election for example, the winner gets 51% of the vote and wins. But if only 60% of eligible voters turned out, we are electing this person with 31% of the eligible vote, who in turn sway policy towards that minority of support. I absolutely believe that Ranked Choice Voting can help sway our differing opinions away from our Bi-Polarized politics today, and make more room for stronger 3rd, and 4th parties that will help to better align itself with the average American."
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "Yes. I believe there are groups that will often 'hijack' other causes in order to advance fringe agendas. Just like protests that begin peacefully but quickly escalate to violence when certain groups begin swaying the mass. This can be seen in almost any instance of civil unrest from the 2000 WTO protests in Seattle to the attempted coup of January 6th, 2021. What begins as an expression of political opinion, can quickly turn ugly. Racism is absolutely a threat."
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "I believe that groups in our nation have been at a disadvantage due to past wrongs. There is nothing controversial or unethical about righting, past wrongs. Reparations need not be monetary, and with collaboration across the board, solutions can be found which can help alleviate problems without simply being, forgive me, a 'handout'."
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.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: " I believe that stricter environmental laws may be necessary to the long-term health of our environment, but decisions should not be made without 'sharpening the other end of the pencil' and considering how policy affects people in the short term."
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "I have not personally seen the harmful effects of fracking, and believe that as long as the utmost attention is given to the quality of local water resources, it should continue with open ears to scrutiny and better practices."
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "I believe that the purpose of government is management, oversite, and protection."
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?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "Honestly, a Cautious Purple Democrat."
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
iVoterGuide Notes:
No.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "I believe EVERYONE deserves a place at the table, and I look forward to finding solutions to problems by working with anyone willing to help, across partisan lines, religious lines, etc."
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "I read this as police officers following policy (their job) and being prosecuted as a result if something questionable occurs? I would say that if the officer followed policy and a 'questionable' outcome ensues, the policy itself should be what comes under scrutiny and not the officer. I cannot hide my belief that the role of a police officer and a first responder is a righteous one. We must not ignore questionable trends in any field, but we must also give our officers the tools to be successful."
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "Disagree. We should REFUND Police Departments, not DEFUND. Police Department should partner with existing Mental Health and Community Programs to better assist in assessing individuals and scenarios.I believe police officers should be paid more if we place more requirements on them. A police officer with a degree in Psycology is very valuable, for example, and the salary should reflect those expectations."
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
The candidate answered: "As few as possible. I believe that the majority, if not all, of gun related crimes is the resulting choice of an individual suffering from mental health and/or substance abuse issues. We are dismissive by believing we can't have a positive impact on this issue by expanding existing laws as it relates to mental health and substance abuse."
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"No."
