Jason Proctor
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile*
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jason Proctor
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 20
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, IN, AA, 1999
Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
DePaul University, Chicago, IL
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
33rd Ward Committeeman, 2024 - Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*Illinois Family Action
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Survey in 2024.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I was raised Catholic, which, by definition, makes me right to life. However, with that said, it is not my decision to make for anyone else. On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who believe in abortion beyond what is considered by many to be a reasonable time. Again, I am against abortion except for in extreme circumstances but we need to find a solution to this polarizing issue and, unfortunately, the only real solution will be one that nobody is happy with.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Choose not to answer
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Choose not to answer
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Choose not to answer
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Less government!
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Economic forces should control the rate of pay, not the government, but, yes, there should be a "floor" - anything more than that should be driven by the market. Low unemployment = higher wages
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
It is up to the investor where they invest. If the elected officials choose to allow ESG or other social issues in making their investing decisions they are free to do so.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never - Freedom of Religion is paramount just like the other four freedoms in the 1st Amendment and all other Amendments to the Constitution.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Everyone has a right to provide services to whomever they want and it is their personal decision to do so - ideally without any repercussions or retaliation but, in this climate of "cancel culture" it is a difficult decision to make.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
As much as I dislike "big government", I dislike any/all single-payor/"universal" health care much more. I have friends and colleagues all around the world, many in countries that have government-run healthcare. I am not saying that their level of care is better or worse but resources are limited and the level of income taxes to pay for it are large. Government should provide healthcare as a "stop gap" for those who need it but we should not abolish private healthcare.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I believe that vaccinations are valuable and, have been proven as such over time. However, I am not in favor of mandating a vaccination but, there can be consequences for not receiving a vaccination scientifically proven to be in the interest of publ
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
As someone who works in the realm of cyber resilience & cyber attacks, I see 1st hand the threats posed by cyber attackers as well as "nation states" and have a very good understanding how those cyber threats, specifically from "nation states" correlate with the military, intellectual property & global economic threats. We are in a new world, with new threats, with new weapons and with long-standing and new adversaries.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
It is very important for several reasons: strategic & security, economic & trade, shared democratic values, and regional influence & stability.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
At the same time, we need a complete overhaul of the US Immigration System - another one of those topics/policies that keeps getting kicked down the road. However, that being said, it is a FEDERAL issue and I am running for State Senate. I am focused on the issues that affect the residents of the 20th District, City of Chicago, Cook County & State of Illinois.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
If the current achievement levels of public education system in the state (which are vastly different that the graduation rates), we need school choice more than ever. Unfortunately, elected officials at the city, county & state level are going in the opposite direction, partially due to the influence of the Chicago Teachers Union and other educator unions in the state. Every child deserves every opportunity to succeed.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
I am not anti-LGBTQIA+ but there are limits, especially when it comes to minors. We have laws in place about driving, voting, smoking, drinking, etc., so why should this be any different? Parents are and must always be the primary teacher to their kids, involved in decisions about what they learn & who they learn it from and doctors have taken an oath to "first, do no harm".
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
See above
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
As I stated earlier, I was raised Catholic but, over time, have moved away from the church. I carry many of those beliefs with me today but my views on social matters differs with that of the church in some areas.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
This is not an effort to disenfranchise or suppress voter rights - we need an ID to drive, to board an airplane, to buy alcohol, cigarettes, get into a bar, etc. Why wouldn't we want to ensure that our fundamental right to vote is protected.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
As if Illinois is the perfect example. Chicago & Cook County, the population epicenters of the state determine the path of every office at the state & federal level EXCEPT for POTUS. Imagine if that was a National policy? Entire states would be irrevelent in a popular vote vs. Electoral College
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Agree
There is a scientific proof that biological males are athletically superior to biological females and allowing biological males to compete vs. biological females destroys everything that Title IX built over the last 52 years
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
Honestly, this is a much deeper topic than just 4 choices - there is nothing cut & dry when it comes to the environment. Do I believe in climate change? Yes & no but I believe that it is a problem that the US alone cannot solve and that the US should not shoulder the burden in trying to solve it. Environmental laws exist for the protection of the people today as well as future generations but that does not mean that those laws should stand in the way of progress. Its a catch 22.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
For the foreseeable future, I believe that it will be a combination of reliable sources that will supply the growing demand for electricity but that does not mean we need to stop using one in favor of another in the manner we are being pushed to.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
In the words of Ronald Regan,"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.". Governments exist to ensure the welfare and security of its citizens and to provide a framework for the orderly functioning of society. Governments are responsible for making and enforcing laws, collecting taxes, providing public goods and services, and representing the interests of the people. https://www.studentsofhistory.com
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?
Moderate
I put myself down the middle - while I am fiscally conservative, believe in smaller government and other traditionally conservative principles, I do have some socially liberal views as well.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Disagree
Police are understaffed & under funded - we need to make sure we back & protect our 1st responders.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am a gun owner and hold a concealed carry license in the state of Illinois. That said, there are circumstances where gun ownership should not be allowed. Felons
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Did not answer
