Lindsay Agostini
Republican | South Carolina
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Lindsay Agostini
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 35
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Indiana University, Bloomington, B.S., 1988
WORK & MILITARY
Military Wife. My husband served in the Army., Captain, 9
AFFILIATIONS
Spring Valley Rotary Club, Board of Directors and Committee Chair, Spring Valley Education Foundation
Board Member, The Learning Collaborative (TLC) at Dent Middle School, Founding Member and 20th Anniversary Chair
St. John Neumann School, Auction Chair and PTO, Governor Sanford Inaugural BBQ
Co-chair, Columbia Swim League, Board Member and Swim Official
Junior League of Columbia, Holiday Market Chair, Finance Council
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Richland Two Board of Trustees, 8
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
none
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*South Carolina Conservative Future
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Pending
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (8)
Nikki Haley (2024)
Team Stand for America (2024)
State Republican Party Organizations (2023)
Tim Scott (2023)
Joe Wilson (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Vincent Sheheen (2014)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I am Pro Life. Abortion should not be used as a form of birth control. Abortions should only be considered/performed when there is a risk of life to the pregnant woman, medical emergency, grave injury to the mom's mental of physical health, rape, or incest.
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
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
I have concerns about outside global entities (China and/or their proxies). The vail of protection should only be given to US citizens, small businesses/farms or corporations and not countries with an objective subverting our freedoms, laws and culture.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Minimum wages left unconstrained are destructive to a free and vibrant economic system. They put unnecessary burdens on small business owners as well as interfering in the open negotiation to employ based on experience.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
Far too many firms have attached agendas, such as Blackrock which represents many governmental retirement plans, and influenced many antithetical positions to best interest of investors/participants of the plans. Investment companies have the right to vote the shares with dissenting positions which are probably more in line with the participants in the plans. These investment companies wield too much power and should be prevented from voting shares for which they are only custodians of.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never! We should always have the right to gather for our religious freedoms!
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
For profit businesses, closely held corporations and individuals should not be required to suppress their own religious beliefs when they object to requests that violate their own moral code. This is true, even if this relates to contraception or request to manufacture or provide services, which result in a product that the owner/business finds morally objectionable. I support the Supreme Court decision on Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores.
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 we need a heathcare safety net for those who either cannot afford coverage or are put into a position where coverage is lost due to separation of employment. I also support both Medicare and Medicaid and believe those programs need more attention due to the path of insolvency they are on. At no point, should individuals or employers be forced to enter a government plan at the expense of the quality of their care.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Many lessons have been learned from COVID-19 and regretfully at the expense of our children and elderly. We should never ignore the science for a political objective or violate military members religious beliefs for an expedient political agenda.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The CCP's threat to the US and global interest is vast and has resulted in unprecedented actions by China. They are trying to control the South China Sea to intimidate our allies as well as disrupt commerce, while creating a basket of threats in crime/fentanyl, attacking our electronic infrastructure, buying our land/resources or flying spy balloons over our Homeland. This should never have happened, and we must take a strong stand both economically and militarily against the Xi regime.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Israel represents the only democracy in the Middle East - if Israel fails then we fail!
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Yes! Securing the boarder is the only way to ensure that immigration is done through a disciplined process to avoid accepting criminals, terrorists or individuals who seek to change the American Way! What is occurring with the border is unconscionable and should not be tolerated! The loss of life due to fentanyl as well as the murder of US citizens by illegal immigrants is nothing less than a tragedy born by poor policy for political gain! The physical wall should be completed immediately.
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
Currently, I serve on the Richland Two Board of Trustees. While I am an advocate for public schools, I support school choice, competition in education, and most importantly, the parent(s) choice to select the best educational opportunities for their child(ren). My children started off in parochial school and then moved to public school for their middle and high school years. This is what worked best for our family.
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.
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.
Choose not to answer
The government should not interfere in our religious beliefs and the union of a couple! If the government wants to declare couples for tax filing status or legal protections, they can do that without interfering with religious doctrine and using the term marriage.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was born and raised Roman Catholic. I have received five of the seven Catholic Sacraments.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Absolutely not! We require a photo ID for the purchase of alcohol and firearms, why is it in the best interest of our Nation to allow those to vote who are not citizens? Our self-governance and representation should only be voted on by lawful constituents. There is no legitimate reason to argue for voting privileges if that voter cannot be identified.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Disagree
I have concerns that moving away from the Electoral College will cause a cascade of negative events driving the US to a National Popular vote and only empowering highly populated states such as California and NY. This would contradict the objective of the founding fathers to provide a voice to the smaller states such as SC. It potentially could create a constitutional crisis by fundamentally opening the door to either significantly amend or abolish our Constitution.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism has no place in our society on either side of the argument!
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
I believe in a system of equal opportunity not equal outcomes. Systematic racism exists for those who perceive life through a discriminatory lens and not the opportunities that capitalism provides.
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
This is a safety issue, and as an athlete, I recognized competing with men in certain sports could potentially injure female athletes. At what point does a biological male’s rights trump a biological female's rights as well as enduring an assault on a woman’s modesty. If we are unwilling to distinguish the differences between sexes, then there is no point in having male and female categories.
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.
I believe there should be a balance between a clean environment and commercial development. Unfortunately, both Federal and State environmental agencies which comprise of nonelected officials have created an over burdensome regulatory system which fails to recognize common sense solutions for achieving a certain political goal. Many of the environmental issues have been seized for political objectives while also achieving financial gain for an elite class.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Natural Gas and Nuclear generation is the way of our future while also significantly reducing carbon output. The speculation that renewable sources of solar and wind can sustain our needs is unrealistic.
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?
Federal - Protection of the Homeland and US interests, sustainment of a free society while supporting capitalism allowing each individual to achieve their fullest potential. State - Our safety and security on a local level! Provide educational services at all levels, infrastructure funding and support, police and first responder fundings and support.
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
We are unfortunately on a path of financial instability given the irresponsible spending by the Federal government which has now amassed almost $35 Trillion dollars of debt. It is a burden that jeopardizes every foundation for which live and if not reversed in near future, the other wide range of economic, social or religious standards we enjoy today will be threatened and only replaced with an autocratic/fascist environment.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
Absolutely not! Our police forces need more moral and financial support not less! Since 2020, there has been an assault of our brave men and women who provide the safety for us to live our daily lives. This needs to stop and respect returned to those who are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Current guns laws and regulations are not being enforced now; we do not need any more! Keep guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens and aggressively prosecute individuals that have criminal histories and permanently deny them firearms rights. DA's have to return to a willingness to prosecute and not let criminals out. This should also be extended to individuals with dishonorable discharges from the military as well as those that are mentally unstable and reported to law enforcement.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
I believe this should be determined by each school district given their experiences and needs. Certain cities and counties in the country may need to resort to this measure while other may not. A national policy does not need to exist here! The lowest level of the decision is best.
