Ben Salazar
Non-Partisan | Nebraska
Candidate Profile
Liberal (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ben Salazar
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
Member of the Legislature, Dist. 7
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, JD, 1977
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Army, Spec. 4, 6/1966 to 6/1968
AFFILIATIONS
La Casa del Pueblo, Director; PACE; Generation Diamond, Volunteered with both PACE and Generation Diamond
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Still working on obtaining them. I do have many friends and colleagues from S. Omaha who are supporting me.
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
As a man, I will always support the rights of a woman, her partner, and their medical provider, to make that choice.
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.
Neutral
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Disagree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I was paid minimum wage of $1.15 in my first job out of H.S. Workers should be paid a fair wage. Much higher than it is now.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
All reliable scientific information should be used to support such issues/causes.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
I don't believe government should have the right to close churches unless it's a front for some illicit or illegal activity that can be proven.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
Every case is different so it's hard to say unilaterally that I agree or disagree.
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.
I believe that health care should be a fundamental right for all people. The current system of public/private health care seems to be working out ok. Although I know there are still some snags in government funded healthcare, it does provide help to the poor.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
This is a case by case situation. As a veteran, to protect all of us who were in the service often working or living in close proximity, we were routinely given vaccinations of all types to protect us. For public institutions, yes.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
According to the experts, we are engaged in an ongoing challenge from China with respect to military, cyber security, and other threats cited above.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
It is. However, I do not support genocide as is being conducted by Israel in GAZA. Many Israeli citizens agree that the war should be stopped and talks begun. I agree.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
Physically securing the border is in the eye of the beholder. A wall will not work. The U.S. should have engaged in talks with the countries of origin because that's where the problem of immigration starts. In their home countries. I have lobbied for more engagement for many years.
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.
Disagree
I strongly support public schools. I do not support public dollars going to private or religious schools.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Neutral
This is a testy question. There are simply too many layers of issues in this sentence above. It should be written more precisely.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Neutral
If a minor is covered by health insurance through his or her parent(s), then any medically supervised "gender transition services" should be a part of that minor's medical coverage. This is typically written into a policy.
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 Disagree
This sentence makes no sense. The assumption that marriage is God ordained is not necessarily a universal truth. In this country a person has a right to any religious beliefs. This may not fit in to such beliefs.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My church is the community I serve. I believe in spirituality. My family was and is Catholic. I am not a practicing Catholic. I practice doing good deeds for others in my community instead.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is an epidemic in this country. We have gone backwards in race relations. I don't see it getting better. So yes, until we can find a path towards true equality, we will have unease in this country.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
I don't believe that this is what CRT means. In fact, most people don't know what CRT means in practice or ideology. This crap was drummed up by some right wing zealots who don't like equality.
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.
Neutral
Until and unless DNA tests are conducted on every athlete who competes in sports, who can tell?
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.
D is my choice.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Wind and solar energy are supplied by Mother Earth. Other sources have a finite life.
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?
To provide for the general welfare of it's people and to provide protection for the common good of its citizens. We need a representative government.
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?
Liberal
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
weapons of mass destruction should be sharply curtailed and limited from public ownership. Makes no sense to sell automatic weapons unless it can be proved that there is an absolute need. As with police.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
