Matt MacPherson
Republican | Utah
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matt MacPherson
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 26
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
CLC, Las Vegas, NV, Technical Trade School, 2002
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Missionary, Professional Standards Review Board
Board Member Citizen Oversight, West Valley City Police Department, HDI, Board Member, Vice President
University of Utah Technical Curriculum Advisory Board, Advisor, WatchDogs - West Kearns Elementary School
Program Director, Highbury Place Homeowners Association, President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Utah State Representative, District 26, 1
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Christina Boggess (2022)
Make America Great Again Again (2020)
WinRed (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Mike Schultz (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Abortion terminates a human life and should be reserved for extreme circumstances and never in an elective setting.
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
I strongly oppose chemical abortion drug use.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
The minimum wage is always zero. Government cannot force companies to pay wages more than the wage is worth and efforts to do so lead to greater unemployment, fewer hours and less opportunity. The people own their own labor and it is theirs to sell
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Regarding normal operation of churches, never. If illegal activity is occurring (ie drugs, prostitution, human trafficking) law enforcement should intervene.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly 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 am a C today but believe we could get to a place where D is possible. This would be a desirable goal. Government performs poorly in this space and it would greatly improve healthcare to seniors and those in poverty to have these programs ended and private/charitable organizations refill the gap.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
This is far too complicated an answer for 250 characters. The 14th and 10th amendments seem to allow some state power to a degree that they are reasonable, serve a legitimate purpose, provide exemptions and are non-discriminatory. I oppose them.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Israel is the only democracy of the Middle East that shares many of our cultural, political and moral viewpoints and they are surrounded by enemies who have posed and continue to pose a deep threat to our interests. A strong Israel protects America.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
I lived on the border in Texas for several years, I have seen this problem first-hand.
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
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
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.
Strongly Agree
Government defines marriage as a tax status, and the government has defined it this way to extend, under equal protection, the definition to include many other things.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian who believes this country’s constitution was divinely inspired and it depends on a moral and religious people to operate properly. The basic unit of government is family. Children deserve to be brought into this world and be raised by a father and a mother who love them and each other and honor their vows to each other. Most of our nation’s problems would be solved if people would strengthen family ties, honor their parents, followed the teachings of Jesus, and study the constitution and scriptures.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
If the perception is that votes are not safe and secure, it doesn’t matter if they are or not.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
The electoral college a key component of federalism and a hallmark of our constitutional republic. We would not have a country without these principles that brought the original colonies together.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. Racisms has been declining steadily for 60+ years in America and is the most racially intermixed country in the world with the some of the highest levels of freedom of opportunity for all regardless of race.
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.
Strongly Agree
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.
C. Energy is extremely important for human life. Being good stewards of our environment is too. While we pursue more and alternate energy sources, using all of our available power generation options allows states to protect their citizens while allowing innovation to find advancements to achieve environmental stewardship goals without heavy handed and unnecessary (and counterproductive) regulations.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Without battery storage advancements, nuclear would be best for the near future and this needs deregulation to meet our needs in the State of Utah.
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?
Government exists to establish the rule of law, to protect the citizens rights, and provide for a common defense and infrastructure for the people.
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
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
Additional funds can and should be sought, but not at the expense of law enforcement
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Aside from assuring criminals do not have guns, none. It is highly desirable everyone, other than the criminals, be gun owners.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
