Erick Knezek
Republican | Louisiana
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Erick Knezek
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
General (Runoff)
Race
Board of Education (BESE), Dist. 7
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, B.S. Ocean Engineering, 1996
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, M.E. Ocean Engineering, 1997
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, Ph.D. Systems Engineering, 2020
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Navy, Lieutenant/O-3, 1992-2002
AFFILIATIONS
Lafayette Parish School Board, Board Member, Vice President, President, U.S. Naval Academy Admissions
Blue & Gold Officer, Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
One Acadiana Regional Chamber, Board Member, Acadiana Veterans Alliance
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Lafayette Parish School Board, 2015-2019
Republic State Central Committee, 2020-2023
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Acadia Parish republican Executive Committee
LIBERAL (1)
Louisiana Association of Educators
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
State Republican Party Organizations (2022)
Charles Boustany (2016)
Garret Graves (2014)
William "Bill" Cassidy (2014)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Brach Myers (2023)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Dolores "DeeDee" Cormier-Zenon (2016)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Rape and Incest
iVoterGuide Notes:
After evaluations occurred, the candidate expressed that his preferred response to this question should be: "None"
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
Government funding should go from Pre-K to High School. Government funding for college should be awarded for service to military veterans or those choosing to serve in in some form of Federal service.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Disagree
The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings or court houses.
Disagree
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
Every state should mandate K-12 standardized tests and the use of teaching software which aligns with Common Core standards.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Strongly Agree
Before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL), they must opt-in with written parental permission.
Strongly Agree
I support the teaching of curricula (such as the 1619 Project, No Place for Hate, Second Step, etc.) that emphasizes slavery and racism as the foundation of American history.
Strongly Disagree
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a confirmed Catholic. I prefer to attend a simple Bible church or read the Bible. I believe in participating in active ministry through mission work and volunteerism.
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
ABOUT YOU
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).
unavailable
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 books have had the most profound impact on your view of life?
New Testament
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a veteran, self-made entrepreneur and business owner, and a volunteer reserve deputy working as a SWAT specialist and Dive Team commander. I am dedicated to public service.
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
Choose not to answer
I can't confirm these at this time with certainty but I did vote significantly.
2ND AMENDMENT
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Strongly Disagree
Only POST certified law enforcement should carry weapons in school I am a POST certified deputy. The responsibilities of carrying a lethal weapon are too great to impose on someone who is not accustomed to managing through potentially lethal encounters.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Do you support mandatory vaccinations for children attending public school?
Yes
I support mask mandates.
Disagree
