"Josh" Carlson
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
"Josh" Carlson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist 43
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette
WORK & MILITARY
IT Consulting, Owner, 20
AFFILIATIONS
The Youngsville Pantry, Board Member, Rotary Club of Youngsville
Board Member, Hope Alive, Volunteer Youth Pastor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Lafayette Parish Council, District 3, 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
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
Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority
Louisiana Freedom Caucus PAC
OTHER (4)
WestPAC/Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI)
Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA)
Louisiana Hospital Association PAC (HOSPPAC)
Americans For Prosperity - Louisiana
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI)
Louisiana Home Builders Association (LHBA)
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
Lafayette Republican Executive Committee (RPEC)
Republican Party of Louisiana (LAGOP)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
State Republican Party Organizations (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Cajun PAC (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate's score card from Citizens for a New Louisiana
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Only if the mother's life is a risk.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Only if the mother's life is a risk.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
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
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 should be simplified (we make it very complex to files taxes), it should be broadened so that more people are paying less taxes, and it should be reduced or eliminated (we should reduce the severance tax and eliminate the franchise tax).
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
The tax code should be simplified (we make it very complex to files taxes), it should be broadened so that more people are paying less taxes, and it should be reduced or eliminated (we should reduce the severance tax and eliminate the franchise tax).
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
All government spending should be on the table in order to balance the budget, not just a few specific areas. Specifically, I would look at the total number of public universities we have in the state. Additionally, I would look at medicaid and medicare abuse to ensure we are not overpaying in those areas.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
All government spending should be on the table in order to balance the budget, not just a few specific areas. Specifically, I would look at the total number of public universities we have in the state. Additionally, I would look at medicaid and medicare abuse to ensure we are not overpaying in those areas.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
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
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?
Government should not be able to close churches.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Government should not be able to close 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) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
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) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I don't believe the government, school, or employer should be allowed to require a vaccination.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I don't believe the government, school, or employer should be allowed to require a vaccination.
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
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
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?
I would prioritize a merit-based system, where individuals with skills, education, and a commitment to assimilation are prioritized for immigration.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I would prioritize a merit-based system, where individuals with skills, education, and a commitment to assimilation are prioritized for immigration.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
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
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
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
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
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.
My faith is foundational to all of my beliefs and is central in forming my values and informing the decisions that I make. Prior to running for office, I served as a volunteer youth pastor for nearly 10 years. I believe that majority of the issues affecting our country today are a result of people turning away from our foundational, Judeo-Christian values.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My faith is foundational to all of my beliefs and is central in forming my values and informing the decisions that I make. Prior to running for office, I served as a volunteer youth pastor for nearly 10 years. I believe that majority of the issues affecting our country today are a result of people turning away from our foundational, Judeo-Christian values.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I would propose a law requiring the voter roles to be regularly updated.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I would propose a law requiring the voter roles to be regularly updated.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No, racism is not a threat to domestic security. While there are racist people in the United States, the vast majority of people are not racist and the United States give the same freedoms and opportunities to everyone.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No, racism is not a threat to domestic security. While there are racist people in the United States, the vast majority of people are not racist and the United States give the same freedoms and opportunities to everyone.
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.
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
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.
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
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 purpose of government is to safeguard and protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The purpose of government is to safeguard and protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
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
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).
My record on some of these issues can be visible at this website which has videos of our Parish council meetings. https://video.ibm.com/channel/lafayette-consolidated-government-council-meeting
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
My record on some of these issues can be visible at this website which has videos of our Parish council meetings. https://video.ibm.com/channel/lafayette-consolidated-government-council-meeting
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.
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 have a proven track record of fighting for conservative values on the local level. I hope to to take those same conservative values to Baton Rouge.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I have a proven track record of fighting for conservative values on the local level. I hope to to take those same conservative values to Baton Rouge.
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
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
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?
No restrictions on gun ownership are needed.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
No restrictions on gun ownership are needed.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
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
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
