Jason Gearhart
Republican | Iowa
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jason Gearhart
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 64
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Upper Iowa University, Fayette, IA, Public Administration, 2014
West Delaware High School, Manchester, IA, H.S. Diploma, 2001
WORK & MILITARY
United Stated Army Military Police (active duty), SPC, 2004-2009
Duane Arnold Energy Center, Central Alarm Station Operator/armed nuclear security, 2010-2021
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Specialist, 2021-present
AFFILIATIONS
Strawberry Point Chamber of Commerce, Board member/Vice President 1/2019-12/2023, Strawberry Point Chamber of Commerce
Event coordinator for annual town festival 2022 & 2023, Jr. Stars Athletics, board member/youth basketball coach 2019-2022
Starmont community school basketball coach, Middle school girls basketball coach 2022-present, Iowa Firearms Coalition
Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Strawberry Point City Council, January 2021-present
Starmont Community School District school board member, Dec. 2023-present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
*Kim Reynolds
OTHER (1)
Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) PAC (IIPAC)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Doug Reimer, Clayton County Supervisor
Brent Ostrander, Clayton County Sergeant/Investigator and candidate for Clayton County Sheriff
Craig Johnson, Iowa House of Representatives District 67
Bob Hager, former Iowa House Representative
Mike Klimesh, Iowa State Senator District 32
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In my opinion, the only time an abortion should be even allowed to be considered is if the life of the mother is in jeopardy or if the pregnancy is not viable.
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.
Strongly Agree
While abortions should only be used as a last resort to save the mother, the drugs used should be as safe as possible for the woman receiving it.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
100%! No taxpayer money should be used to pay for an abortion.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
All life is special. I am against suicide and euthanasia for those diagnosed with a terminal illness, but I don't want to see people on hospice kept alive longer just so the patient can be squeezed for every last penny. When the end comes, it is important that the patient can be kept pain-free and as comfortable as possible.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
100%! While the outcome is never guaranteed, the free market allows anyone the opportunity to do what they do best and share it with the world. Private property rights are something that should never be taken for granted. It should be darn near impossible to use eminent domain to take someone's land for "public use", and even more restrictive when a private company wants to use it for their own personal/financial gain.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I can't think of a single employer paying minimum wage and I don't feel there is any need to change it. If you don't like what you make, better your education or change careers. Everyone is hiring, use that to your advantage!
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
Heck no! Public money should be invested for the best return on investment. The last thing Iowa should worry about when choosing the best investment fund is what their carbon credit score is or where on China's Social Credit System they fall!
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never! I was quite disappointed when the Governor shut down our churches and local businesses during Covid. Free people living in a free country should be able to decide for themselves their comfort level to frequent any establishment they choose without the governments permission. It is during times like these that we need people coming together in the church and community to support one another.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
This is what's so great about the free market. You have the right to be strong in your convictions and provide your services to whomever you choose. But people that don't agree with your business model also have the choice to choose your competitor.
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'm somewhere between a B and C. Not because I want government funded healthcare for everyone that wants it (I don't), but because there are programs here in Iowa like Hawki that offer families that may not be able to afford private insurance the ability to get insurance for their family. Short answer, 100% against universal healthcare, private healthcare options for everyone, as well as options like Hawki and I am in favor of keeping Medicare/Medicaid.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Never! Don't get me wrong, vaccines definitely have their place, but when the government spends a trillion dollars to convince us to get an experimental shot and then use social media to censor anyone that would dare speak against it, count me out!
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
100%! The federal government allowed a Chinese spy balloon to fly over the continental United States and we are letting military aged men flow in through the southern border. Sheriff Richard Jones from Butler County Ohio has a great interview on YouTube explaining the hacking that is happening every day on all of our systems. Check it out.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, Israel is an important ally that the United States needs to maintain a relationship with. War is not pretty, it is not meant to be but there is no reason to drag this out. The United States needs to step back and let Israel steam-roll Hamas and take out every terrorist. Only then will there be a chance to rebuild and bring peace to the region.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Yes! Good fences make great neighbors. The United States should immediately cut off all aid to Mexico and Central American countries until this migrant invasion is stopped! The wall should be finished and the border patrol should be given the authority to send them all to Mexico City instead of sending them all over the United States. The United States is a wonderful place, and we will welcome you with open arms if you use the door and not sneak in through an open window!
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.
Agree
I believe the money should follow the student to whatever public school they choose to attend. If your child's school isn't cutting the mustard take them to a neighboring school that is!
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
There are only boys and girls. Children are too impressionable at a young age and this is the last thing they should be dealing with. Teachers should be required to teach the school curriculum and keep their personal ideologies out of the room. Any parent that would allow a child to take puberty blockers or have a sex change should be charged with child abuse!
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Yes, competent parents should know what is best for their children and should be allowed to raise them the way they see fit, (If a parent can't choose who does? The Government? No thanks!). That being said, making decisions like having sex changes and taking puberty blockers because little Jill wants to be a Johnny is not acceptable.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Heck no! If an adult wants to have a sex change and they pay for it themselves who am I so stop it. Taxpayer money should never be used for any transition services. That being said, mental health services are an area that we need
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 was raised to treat people the way I want to be treated. I am a happily married straight man, and I know several happily married gay couples who appear to be just as happy in their marriage as I am. While it is not my cup of tea, it is not my position to judge them for who they love. Gay marriage has been legal in the Unites States since 2009 and I will oppose any legislation taking this right away.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a sinner trying my best to lead a Christian life, by trying to be as loyal, responsible, compassionate and respectful towards others, serving the lord and my community in as many ways as I can while I can. Teaching my children important values and life lessons, how to see the evil in the world and how to navigate through the wild times we currently find ourselves in.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Heck no! No ID, No vote! Voter rolls should be updated regularly to purge voters that have moved, died, etc.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
No! We need the electoral college to ensure our votes here in Iowa matter!
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. There will always be those that hate others for the color of their skin or where they're from etc. The United States is not a racist country and Iowa is not a racist state. The faster we as a country can get away from an us vs. them mentality in the media the faster we can come together as Iowans, as Americans.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
The Unites States is not inherently racist, CRT creates racism where there is none.
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.
Strongly Agree
It is sad that we even need to be having this conversation. Women having the right to be protected from men in bathrooms, in locker rooms and showers, on sports teams is purely common sense. As a middle school girls basketball coach I want them to compete against other young ladies.
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.
Environmental rules and regulations are in place for a reason. I don't believe we need stricter regulation but I do know that regulations are necessary. Many of the environmental rules and regulations in place today protect our air quality, water quality, rivers and streams etc. I don't know about you but I enjoy breathing clean air, drinking clean water and enjoying clean rivers and streams. The earth has gone through climate cycles long before out existence and will long after were gone.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe nuclear power is the most reliable and was a huge gut punch to Iowans when the Duane Arnold Energy Center was shut down. Energy diversity is important (coal, gas, wind, solar, nuclear) to keep our rates low and the lights on!
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 serve its constituents!
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
I am about as fiscally conservative as they come. I am for personal freedom, I do not think we should be the world bank, we should protect our borders and get a plan together to pay off our national debt.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
Law enforcement funding should not be used for community programs.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
NONE! I think we have too many restrictions already. We deserve the right to protect ourselves wherever we go, schools included! It is not the law abiding gun owners that are committing crimes. Remember, the cities with the most strict gun laws have the worst gun violence
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Teachers, staff, parents, visitors. Any competent gun owner should be allowed to protect themselves wherever they go, schools included!
