Joy Bennett
Democrat | Ohio
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joy Bennett
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Representative, Dist. 56
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Cedarville University, Cedarville, B.A. Professional Writing, 1998
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Mason City Council, Personnel Review Board, Mason Deerfield Chamber of Commerce
Member, Warren County Democratic Party, Executive Committee member
North Cincinnati Community Church, Worship team musician
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Mason City Council, 2019
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (10)
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
Pro-Choice Ohio
#VOTEPROCHOICE
Matriots
Progressive Turnout Project
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Candidates for Common Good
Ohio Education Association
Ohio Federation of Teachers
Laborers Local 265
Pro-Choice Ohio
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Claire Osborne (2022)
Erin Rosiello (2020)
It Starts Today (2022)
Nikki Foster (2018)
Organized Progressives Standing United (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Connie Pillich (2022)
Crystal Lett (2022)
Matriots (2022)
Rick Smith (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I don't like the wording of this question. Circumstances vary widely, and I believe this decision belongs to individuals and their doctors (and any advisors they choose to invite into the decision). I'm a Christian, I'm a mother, and I believe God’s desire for us is a thriving abundant life. And we live in a broken world in which conception happens in spite of contraceptives, people are forced to have unprotected sex, fetuses develop fatal defects from exposure to drugs or alcohol or at random, and folks find themselves in situations in which they cannot safely care for a baby. This is why Child Protective Services and our foster care system are so full of children. A child born into a life in which they will experience abuse, neglect, and trauma will suffer and will be unable to grow into independent healthy adults without significant help (therapy/counseling, mental health care, etc.). Bringing a child into the world is costly, and not everyone is able to do it. Are we as a society prepared to pay that cost ourselves? I hope so, because in Ohio, we are about to see a large increase in the number of children born to people who cannot or will not care for them. It doesn't matter much in light of Ohio's 6-week abortion ban, but if pressed, I would say abortion should be available during the first trimester without limits. It should be available in the second trimester with limits, and after the point of viability, it should only be available in extreme circumstances to save the life of the mother.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Disagree
Abortion providers also offer many other resources for healthcare, including gynecological services. They should be eligible for funds in the same way any other health care provider is.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
When a person receives a fatal diagnosis, I think they should have a say in how they finish their life. My longtime bookkeeper was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in January of this year and died in June. They had no good options. If she wanted to choose how she went, I think she should be allowed to do so. It was her life, after all.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I'm not a financial expert, so I would like to see it simplified. A flat tax would be much easier for lay people to understand, and it would have fewer loopholes. Our IRS needs to be modernized so it can serve us more efficiently and effectively. We also need to make sure it has the resources to ensure everyone pays their fair share.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I will make these decisions with the common good in mind. It seems clear from history that trickle-down economics never reaches the everyday person like me and my neighbors. So when evaluating where to cut spending, I will always consider the broad ramifications. It's also important to make decisions in line with our core values, and our definition of what the role of government is and is not. It's important for the government to spend only what we have, same as every individual and household. Our communities should have a say in what our priorities are – what are the musts in our budget, and what are the nice-to-haves? If we don't have enough to cover all the nice-to-haves, it's time to make tough decisions.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
I think this is a nice-to-have, and I also think that higher education has become bloated and overpriced. Community colleges are excellent sources of college-level learning, and I could see, if the budget allows, covering some of the costs for motivated students. I do not want to inadvertently contribute to continued bloat, however!
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
This is difficult. I believe that our government's role is to ensure that everyone experiences equally their inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I like to use more modern words for those - justice, freedom, and opportunity. I believe in individuals having freedom to make their own decisions about their own selves as long as they aren't harming someone else. If my freedom is hindering your access to justice, how do we negotiate that? These aren't simple questions.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
As I said previously, our government's role is to ensure that everyone is treated equally and experiences their inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If a situation arises that threatens those rights, it might merit a drastic action like closing a church. I do believe this is a drastic action that should rarely, if ever, happen.
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, I think. It's complicated (I keep saying this, but everything is or we wouldn't be asking these questions!). I believe healthcare is a human right -- it falls under the right to life or justice. If we don't have our health, what do we have? People shouldn't go bankrupt because of their medical bills (which happens today -- medical bills are the number 1 cause of personal bankruptcy). I think providing healthcare shouldn't be a for-profit endeavor. It's a common good, and I don't think a small number of people should be able to enrich themselves at the expense of the rest of us. I'm open to innovative ideas and especially to ways we can make this more cost-effective without sacrificing quality.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I believe that vaccines are a common good. Preventing measles, mumps, rubella, smallpox, chicken pox, tetanus, hepatitis, and whooping cough hasn't been all that controversial in previous decades! These vaccines have saved millions of lives and prevented lifelong injuries and disabilities. It makes sense for certain jobs to ensure that people in close contact with vulnerable populations be vaccinated so they do not spread these dangerous diseases. It's context-specific. That said, I'm uncomfortable with government-mandated vaccines. We for sure need exemptions because each body is different and many people have bizarre reactions to medicines and vaccines.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
I'm a candidate for the Ohio State House, so I will not have any input into decisions on national security.
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
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Choose not to answer
I'm a candidate for the Ohio State House, so I will not have any input into decisions on national borders. (Ohio's southern border is with Kentucky, and I have no issues with Kentucky!)
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I'm a candidate for the Ohio State House, so I will not have any input into decisions on immigration.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Neutral
I support transparency and accountability for every taxpayer dollar. I support public education as a common good – a quality education gives people tremendous opportunities to create better lives for themselves. Every child, regardless of their zip code or family resources, should have access to the same quality education (it's up to them what they do with it). I also support choice. I was home-schooled, got a fantastic education, went on to college, and graduated with high honor.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
I agree that this faith structure establishes a framework of morality, but it is not the only framework that would do so. Nor do I believe it's necessary for our system of government. Our country is made up of people with a vast range of beliefs, yet we all agree on basic moral principles of equality, justice, freedom, personal responsibility, integrity/truth-telling, and human dignity. It is a dangerous mistake that our founding fathers carefully avoided to use government to establish religion.
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
Disagree
Some faiths believe marriage is God-ordained and sacred. Many disagree in the Christian faith about whether marriage must be between one man and one woman. We are a diverse nation with many beliefs. Our founding fathers knew that government must not establish one religious belief (or one sect of one religion) over all others.
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 graduate-level legal theory taught in law school. It is one theory among many, and it attempts to explain certain dynamics in our country. I am not an attorney, nor have I studied this theory, therefore I cannot answer this question.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I‘m a Democrat. And, I’m a Christian. This is not an oxymoron. Democrats and Republicans believe different things about the role of government, or they used to. We've begun ascribing many other things to these parties based on stereotypes, assumptions, and exaggerations we see in the media. The truth is people of faith are in every political party. And we need Christians and people of all faiths and none in all parties. We need ALL perspectives in government because that’s who we represent – everyone. I am often asked how my faith would influence my work in government. My faith is simply part of who I am. It influences how I live my life and how I treat other people (with love and care). But I do not believe that it‘s my job or the government’s job to impose my religion on other people. Our nation has its roots in religious freedom, and history is riddled with disasters caused by religious nationalism. We must not allow Christian Nationalism to gain any more strength here. It is both anti-American AND anti-Christian. As Americans, we protect religious freedom. For all. Not just for the religion we happen to practice. Not just those who agree with us, or even the majority - ALL. My religion does inspire me to serve others. And I know I can serve by being part of legislation in our state that focuses on helping children, keeps Ohioans safe, and preserves our freedoms. So, yes, I’m a Democrat and a Christian. Every other Sunday, you'll find me in my church playing bass and singing on our worship team. I’ve always enjoyed music and serving in my church is very important to me, so this brings these two important parts of my life together in a meaningful way. It brings me Joy to lead others in song as we celebrate our faith and religious freedom each week.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
I have worked the polls in Ohio and know that some of our citizens have acceptable identification (often military issued) that does not include a photo. We can establish a person's identity with sufficient documentation without necessarily requiring a photo.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
It is important that we protect the right to vote for every citizen, and we must protect the integrity of our elections. Our democracy is built on both. We are of the people, by the people, for the people.... and the way we do that is through voting and elections. These are critical to protect.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Maybe? It depends on how you define "domestic security." I believe racism is a problem where it exists. We believe in the equality of all and in everyone's inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Racism is counter to that core belief established in our Declaration of Independence. Where we can work together to improve our collective ability to
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
I don't know enough about this 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.
C) We need to balance caring for our environment (it's the only one we have) with giving people the opportunity they need to live. Sometimes we'll need to impose guidelines because we know from history that people will take advantage to make a buck. But like anything, that can go too far. We need balance.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Disagree
I have concerns about the consequences of fracking to the integrity of the ground. I need to learn more about this.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To uphold the values articulated in our Declaration of Independence: that all are created equal, with certain inalienable rights, among which are life (justice), liberty (freedom), and the pursuit of happiness (opportunity).
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 lean conservative in fiscal matters, liberal on social matters, and value balance above all. Very little has a simple solution, and our best ideas come from critique and listening to one another.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Recent interview: https://youtu.be/gRUz73teI7g
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 a mom of 4, three of whom are living. I've experienced one of the worst things a person can - the death of a child. I barely made it. Some days, the only thing that got me out of bed was my other 3 kids. Today, I'm stronger and my kids are mostly grown up. I have a perspective on what's truly important, what's worth fighting over, and what is a waste of time, energy, and money. I think that perspective is missing in government and therefore incredibly valuable.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
This is complex, because police have to make judgment calls in the moment. What the public needs from all of our leaders and law enforcement is transparency and accountability. I understand people calling to end qualified immunity because they see it being used to protect officers who have abused their authority. But I also understand its necessity for those who work in this field and often face impossible choices with no time to deliberate.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Neutral
We are asking too much of our police without giving them the resources they need. Many of the calls they get are not to crimes being committed, but to someone in a crisis, whether it's a mental health episode, a family dispute, or an addict who is either high or coming down. So I support providing trained professionals to join police for these situations so that the response is more appropriate to the needs. Doing this may require additional funding.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Public safety requires we address gun violence from multiple angles. 1) Common sense guidelines on purchasing weapons. 2) Increased training and resources for safe gun storage (most injuries and deaths from guns are accidents). 3) Interventions for violent people to keep them away from the public and unable to cause harm. 4) Better strategies and protections for the public in public areas.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Agree
It depends on the circumstances. If a dealer didn't follow the guidelines and allowed someone to purchase a weapon who shouldn't have, that dealer is partially responsible, for example.
