Michael Melerine
Republican | Louisiana
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael Melerine
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist 6
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
LSU, Baton Rouge, B.S., 2010
LSU, Baton Rouge, J.D./D.C.L., 2013
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana, Board Member, Rotary Riverbend-Shreveport
Board Member, Independence Bowl Foundation, Executive Committee Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
BESE, District 4, 2.5
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
BESE, District 4, 2.5
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (3)
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
John Kennedy
Caddo Parish Republican PAC
OTHER (3)
NorthPAC/Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI)
Louisiana Loggers Association and PAC
Louisiana Motor Transport Association
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
LA Home Builders
Rep. Alan Seabaugh
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
American Revival PAC (2022)
Barry Milligan (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Barrow Peacock (2021)
Barry Milligan (2021)
Continuing America's Strength & Security (2021)
Eddie Rispone (2021)
Education PAC (2021)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
If a mother's life is in danger, ectopic pregnancy, and miscarriage; if the medical provider has made every reasonable effort to protect the unborn child.
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?
The tax code needs to be simplified and streamlined, allowing for central collection of local sales taxes.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The Louisiana budget has grown 63% in the last decade. In order to balance the budget we reduce wasteful spending on pet projects and not use one time funds for recurring expenses. We must also re-examine the funding that goes to LDH, as their budget has been the main catalyst for the budget explosion.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
I believe we should fund K-12 education and allow the money to follow the child. I am also in favor of continuing TOPS. However, I do not believe we should guarantee every student a full ride through college.
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?
It would have to be an extreme circumstance. Covid-19, in my opinion, did not rise to the level where government should have closed churches.
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.
C.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I do not believe they should be allowed to require vaccinations. I believe the current law for schools, which allows for exempetions is appropriate.
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.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We should allow individuals who have passed background checks and are coming to fill in demand jobs; provided those individuals enter through legal ports of entry.
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.
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 was born and raised a Christian that believes Jesus died to save us.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I would like to see some type of backup ballot so the votes can be verified in case of suspected irregularites.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I believe racism can be a threat. However, racisim is not restricted to one race.
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.
B.
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?
The general purpose is to set forth the least restrictive means to benefit the societal good.
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).
See votes and comments from my time on BESE.
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 want to improve education, improve the overall business climate, and reduce crime.
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.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Those convicted of a violent felony and have exhausted all appeals should be restricted.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
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
Strongly Agree
