Matthew Graham
Non-Partisan | Missouri
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matthew Graham
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2023
Election
School Board
Race
Fort Zumwalt School District R-II Board of Education – At Large
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Missouri State University, Springfield, Bachelor of Science, 2006
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
CONSERVATIVE (1)
St. Charles County Republican Central Committee
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
St. Charles County Central Republican Committee
Nick Schroer, Missouri Senate
St. Charles County Pachyderm Club
1776 PAC
Mark Matthiesen, Missouri State Representative
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
- Statement of Committee Organization (scanned 1/19/2023)
- 40 Day Before General Municipal Election-4/4/2023 (filed 2/23/2023)
- $500.00 contribution from St. Charles County Republican Central Committee (SCCRCC)
- $500.00 contribution from 1776 PAC
-
Please note: The following information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for additional informational purposes only.
$1,000.00 contribution from 1776 PAC
OTHER INFORMATION
Voter Record received from St. Charles County Election Authority indicate's Matthew Richard Graham's Voting History during time of residence in district and/or at current address is as follows:
- Voted in 2022 Primary election
- Voted in seven General elections 2004 - 2022
**Voter history is not considered during panel evaluations.**
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Disagree
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Agree
A baby is a gift and we have a responsibility to stand up and speak for our unborn.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Strongly Disagree
No, school tax dollars should fund our schools for educational purposes only.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
Our schools need less government involvement, not more.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Agree
School districts should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Agree
EDUCATION
What is the function of the local school board?
The school board serves to hire the superintendent, review issues/challenges, vote on policies, oversite of facilities/staff, review the curriculum and have a fiduciary responsibility for the budget
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
The school board and teachers, along with insight and support from administrators, and parents to ensure that the curriculum sticks to the basics of education.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
Parents should always have an opportunity to let their voices be heard to challenge and question decisions
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): Mathematics, Information Technology, Science, Political Activism, Personal Finances, Gender Identity, Physical Fitness, American History, Critical Race Theory, Language Arts, Art & Music, Vocational Learning, Sexuality, Foreign Language, Social Emotional Learning
I do not believe any course should hold more weight than another, they all have importance to individuals differently. The items that should not be taught in our schools: in no particular order-Political Activism/Gender Identity/CRT/Sexuality/SEL
Which more closely matches your view of America's founding principles? A) Liberty and equality. B) Slavery and racism.
Liberty and equality
What does "equity in education" mean to you?
Providing special treatment or resources to an individual or group due to their circumstances situation
Written parental consent (opt-in) must be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Strongly Agree
If these are to be taught in schools, then yes, every parent should be able to review all content and lessons to be able to make a decision best for their child
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Strongly Agree
Parents are the ultimate authority in their child’s education and should be able to freely pursue whatever educational options they deem best for their child.
Agree
School boards are accountable to parents and taxpayers.
Agree
Do you believe students should have access to materials that graphically depict and describe sexual acts?
No
No, this is not appropriate in the school curriculum or material that should be readily available in the library. This is content that should be discussed in homes and with parents who can control the dialogue and answer questions asked by their child.
All print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review.
Strongly Agree
Transparency in curriculum, especially sensitive topics should be age appropriate and available for anyone that whishes to review to make a decision in the best interest of his or her child(ren).
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and believe we are all sinners and we all have the ability to repent and ask for forgiveness. I am a honest and ethical person who makes decisions best for my family, friends, and community.
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Disagree
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.
Strongly Agree
Therapy to help children turn from unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria should be banned.
Strongly Agree
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Strongly Agree
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
Parents should be engaged in teaching their children about sexual education, schools can teach the basics, but it should be age appropriate and be an opt-in program with materials readily available for parental access
If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- Physical and emotional health outcomes; contraceptive methods; consent; abstinence; sexual orientation and gender identity; human anatomy/the reproductive system; abortion methods and side effects; stages of pregnancy and fetal development; sex acts and pleasures of sex
Basic topics (with parental consent) would include: consent/abstinence/human anatomy/the reproduction system/stages of pregnancy and fetal development
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Choose not to answer
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
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
A candidate's personal moral values are relevant when considering a candidacy for elective office.
Strongly Agree
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Matt Graham for Zumwalt Board Facebook Page, Endorsement from the St. Charles County Central Republican Committee, Voter Guides (Mid Rivers News Magazine & STL Post Dispatch), Interview on NewsTalkSTL
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a strong willed, honest, trustworthy, common sense person that only wants the best for our students and our community. Strong schools are the backbone of strong communities; we need our community strong and our schools are that foundation. I believe that our district has a responsibility to make core academics a priority, support our teachers, be financially responsible, and create a safe learning environment. As a public school system, classroom size, sufficient funding, community support, and overall student health and safety creates an environment favorable to learning and growth. I have no hidden agendas, and I will work hard to defend our children and do what is best for them, our families, and all the tax payers in the Fort Zumwalt School District. Stop overcomplicating education and get back to the basics. I hope to gain your support and look forward to seeing you at the polls. Let's make a difference April 4th.
2ND AMENDMENT
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Neutral
I am pro 2nd Amendment and school safety and security are one of my top priorities.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
I do not agree with mandated vaccines
I support mask mandates.
Strongly Disagree
All official open meetings should be live streamed, recorded, and have transcripts available online for public access.
Agree
All votes should be roll call votes and recorded in meeting minutes.
Agree
