Jason Amato
Republican | Louisiana
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jason Amato
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist 81
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Lutcher High School, Lutcher, High School Diploma, 1982
WORK & MILITARY
Ascension Vocational Technical College, Graduate - Industrial Instrumentation, 2
AFFILIATIONS
Gramercy Council 1817 Knights of Columbus, 3rd Degree Member, St. James Volunteer Fire Department
Assistant Fire Chief, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sacristan, Lector, Finance Board
Lutcher Quarterback Club, Board Member, St. James Parish Parents 4-H Program
Board Member/Contributor, Festival of the Bonfires, Christmas Eve Bonfire Permit Coordinator/Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
St. James Parish Councilman - District 2 (Current), 16 years
Town of Lutcher Alderman, 7
Appointed Member of the Louisiana Transportation Authority (Current), 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
N/A
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Jeff Landry (2023)
Marty Maley (2023)
Clay Schexnayder (2019)
Eddie Rispone (2019)
David Vitter (2010)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Clay Schexnayder (2023)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
John Bel Edwards (2017)
Ken Brass (2017)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
State of Freedom interview with Jason Amato
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am a practicing Catholic and Pro-LIfe. I do not support abortion.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am a practicing Catholic and Pro-LIfe. I do not support abortion.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
The tax code should be modified to remove barriers currently faced by our residents and businesses. I am open to reviewing recommendations and initiatives that set up our businesses for success and easing the tax burden of our residents. Just as important, I will oppose changes to the tax code that increase the burden on our constituents.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
The tax code should be modified to remove barriers currently faced by our residents and businesses. I am open to reviewing recommendations and initiatives that set up our businesses for success and easing the tax burden of our residents. Just as important, I will oppose changes to the tax code that increase the burden on our constituents.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
As our State continues to recover from the impacts of the recent Hurricanes, Pandemic and now Inflation, my focus will be to partner with our new Governor and Administration to identify key programs/projects that are proven to be beneficial. I would work with others in the Legislature to implement a "balanced budget" mindset in the various departments, similar to what I have accomplished in my 16 years as a Parish Councilman in St. James Parish.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
As our State continues to recover from the impacts of the recent Hurricanes, Pandemic and now Inflation, my focus will be to partner with our new Governor and Administration to identify key programs/projects that are proven to be beneficial. I would work with others in the Legislature to implement a "balanced budget" mindset in the various departments, similar to what I have accomplished in my 16 years as a Parish Councilman in St. James Parish.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
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
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?
Never! That was a huge mistake to allow government to close our Churches during the Pandemic. To close our Churches while still allowing other venues to remain open was a travesty and I will strongly oppose any intrusion of the government in this manner.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never! That was a huge mistake to allow government to close our Churches during the Pandemic. To close our Churches while still allowing other venues to remain open was a travesty and I will strongly oppose any intrusion of the government in this manner.
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) Healthcare insurance should be available along with private healthcare options.
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) Healthcare insurance should be available along with private healthcare options.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Growing up in the late 60's/early 70's, I received my vaccine shots, along with others. I do not take the yearly flu shot and only took the CoVid vaccine because I was required to by my employer. I did not take any of the CoVid boosters. While it was accepted years ago that we needed to immunize our children, the controversy of CoVid has challenged our good faith and any requirement to take "NEW" vaccinations must be thoroughly vetted and approved.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Growing up in the late 60's/early 70's, I received my vaccine shots, along with others. I do not take the yearly flu shot and only took the CoVid vaccine because I was required to by my employer. I did not take any of the CoVid boosters. While it was accepted years ago that we needed to immunize our children, the controversy of CoVid has challenged our good faith and any requirement to take "NEW" vaccinations must be thoroughly vetted and approved.
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.
Disagree
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.
Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
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?
For years, our immigration process has worked properly. I support a strong and secure souther border and a return to our prior immigration process, which had controls and measures in place to ensure our national immigration process worked for everyone who had the legal right to seek citizenship in our great Country.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
For years, our immigration process has worked properly. I support a strong and secure souther border and a return to our prior immigration process, which had controls and measures in place to ensure our national immigration process worked for everyone who had the legal right to seek citizenship in our great Country.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
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.
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.
Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a practicing Catholic who works to have a morally consistent leadership role in politics. It also requires me to demonstrate compassion to those less fortunate while also ensuring that our laws are enforced. It is a spiritual balance of Church and State for the good of all.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a practicing Catholic who works to have a morally consistent leadership role in politics. It also requires me to demonstrate compassion to those less fortunate while also ensuring that our laws are enforced. It is a spiritual balance of Church and State for the good of all.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I'll work with my District 81 Clerk of Courts and Registar of Voters in my three Parishes to support them in their efforts to provide safe and secure elections. As they are the experts and have earned my trust, my role is to set them up for success and remove any barriers that prevent them from providing our constituents with election results that are fair and just.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I'll work with my District 81 Clerk of Courts and Registar of Voters in my three Parishes to support them in their efforts to provide safe and secure elections. As they are the experts and have earned my trust, my role is to set them up for success and remove any barriers that prevent them from providing our constituents with election results that are fair and just.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Sorry, I am not versed enough in this subject to be able to provide a suitable response to this question on domestic security. I do believe our Country and World would be better off without racism and strife and where everyone lives in peace and harmony.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Sorry, I am not versed enough in this subject to be able to provide a suitable response to this question on domestic security. I do believe our Country and World would be better off without racism and strife and where everyone lives in peace and harmony.
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.
As a recent retiree after 34+ years in a major Petrochemical Facility, I am experienced enough to know that we operated daily with the good intent of protecting our environment, providing quality jobs to local residents, contributing tax dollars to our schools and communities and being good corporate neighbors. The recent battle against industry and the ever changing environmental laws and regulations threaten the State of Louisiana's way of life. With industry taking full use of the latest and greatest technology available, these facilities are safer and operate so much more efficiently with less impacts to our environment. The pendulum has swung way too far to the left and we need to return to a balanced system that is justified by sound facts and reasoning.
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.
As a recent retiree after 34+ years in a major Petrochemical Facility, I am experienced enough to know that we operated daily with the good intent of protecting our environment, providing quality jobs to local residents, contributing tax dollars to our schools and communities and being good corporate neighbors. The recent battle against industry and the ever changing environmental laws and regulations threaten the State of Louisiana's way of life. With industry taking full use of the latest and greatest technology available, these facilities are safer and operate so much more efficiently with less impacts to our environment. The pendulum has swung way too far to the left and we need to return to a balanced system that is justified by sound facts and reasoning.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I thought US Congressman Mike Johnson stated it properly back in 2018 when he drafted the principles that made our nation the freest, strongest and most prosperous in human history. Individual Freedom, Limited Government, The Rule of Law, Peace through Strength, Fiscal Responsibility, Free Markets and most importantly, Human Dignity.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I thought US Congressman Mike Johnson stated it properly back in 2018 when he drafted the principles that made our nation the freest, strongest and most prosperous in human history. Individual Freedom, Limited Government, The Rule of Law, Peace through Strength, Fiscal Responsibility, Free Markets and most importantly, Human Dignity.
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 Conservative
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 Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
My 23 years of elected public service in both the Town of Lutcher and St. James Parish has public records of all my decisions, accomplishments and policy positions that improved the quality of lives of our residents.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
My 23 years of elected public service in both the Town of Lutcher and St. James Parish has public records of all my decisions, accomplishments and policy positions that improved the quality of lives of our residents.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
N/A
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
N/A
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
My focus in government has always been in servant leadership. At the end of the day, did I improved the quality of lives of our residents and businesses? Was the problem addressed, issue resolved and policy improved? In my 23 years of service to our St. James Parish Residents, I always acted with the right sense of urgency to address the issue. All too often in government, problems are allowed to persist. Each day is a new day with a new problem and if the problem of yesterday was not resolved, you now have two problems facing you. My 34 years in management at Shell Chemical and my 23 years of elected public service has provided me with the causal reasoning skills, leadership qualities and consensus building qualities that are key to success in government. It is these values and qualities that I will bring to Baton Rouge as the next State Representative in District 81.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
My focus in government has always been in servant leadership. At the end of the day, did I improved the quality of lives of our residents and businesses? Was the problem addressed, issue resolved and policy improved? In my 23 years of service to our St. James Parish Residents, I always acted with the right sense of urgency to address the issue. All too often in government, problems are allowed to persist. Each day is a new day with a new problem and if the problem of yesterday was not resolved, you now have two problems facing you. My 34 years in management at Shell Chemical and my 23 years of elected public service has provided me with the causal reasoning skills, leadership qualities and consensus building qualities that are key to success in government. It is these values and qualities that I will bring to Baton Rouge as the next State Representative in District 81.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
I support fully funding our law enforcement and also supporting our mental health and community programs.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
I support fully funding our law enforcement and also supporting our mental health and community programs.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe in our Second Amendment and when elected to the State Representative, District 81 seat, I will support our three Parish Sheriffs and their Departments to serve and protect. My legislative priorities will be guided by them and our five Chiefs of Police in the District 81 municipalities in regards to any restrictions on gun ownership and the protection of public safety.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe in our Second Amendment and when elected to the State Representative, District 81 seat, I will support our three Parish Sheriffs and their Departments to serve and protect. My legislative priorities will be guided by them and our five Chiefs of Police in the District 81 municipalities in regards to any restrictions on gun ownership and the protection of public safety.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Gambling should be limited to existing forms and should not be de-regulated or expanded.
Neutral
Gambling should be limited to existing forms and should not be de-regulated or expanded.
Neutral
Children should be protected from sexualization on the internet, in public schools, and in the public libraries
Agree
Children should be protected from sexualization on the internet, in public schools, and in the public libraries
Agree
