Joshua Aikens
Republican | New Jersey
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joshua Aikens
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
Primary
Race
General Assembly Dist. 24
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
William Paterson University, Wayne, MJ, BA, 2006
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Arise-NJ (Parental Rights group), President, Lafayette School District Board of Education
President, YMCA, trainer
Womens' Shelter (missonary work), volunteer, Missionary work (Peru and Jamaica)
volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, volunteer
Dress for Success, volunteer, Project Help (supports Vets and families)
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Executive Director and Secretary, Sussex County Republican Committee, current
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
2021 gubernatorial candidate Pastor Phil Rizzo and various local elected officials
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Never.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Simplification of the tax code. Move towards a flat tax.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Remove fraud, waste, and abuse. Set-up a Sunset Committee to identify and phase out unnecessary programs and bureaucracies.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None.
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.
Option (C).
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Constructive engagement and a strong defense (In my job, I work in support of the U.S. Army).
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.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who are qualified and will not become a burden to the U.S. taxpayer.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
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 Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. My values are what one might call "traditional."
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Simplify voting. Make Election Day what it was.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Race is used by the Left to divide people who share the same needs and values.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Option (A)
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect and uphold the rights of citizens within the framework of our founding documents.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
If you Google my name, you will see numerous interviews done as President of Arise-NJ.
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?
A lifelong resident of Sussex County. A husband and father of two young boys. Financial Consultant in support of the U.S. Army. Board of Education President and a founder of the statewide parental rights movement that fought Gov. Murphy’s Far-Left curriculum mandates.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
