Mark Jones
Republican | Wyoming
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Jones
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 40
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, M.S., 1996
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, B.S., 1992
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Summit Church, Security Team
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Republican Party Vice Chairman, 2013-2015
Republican Party Chairman, 2017-2021
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Gun Owners of America
Wyoming Right to Life
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (7)
Gun Owners of America
Wyoming Right to Life
Representative Mark Jennings
Representative Ken Pendergraft
Representative Jeanette Ward
OTHER INFORMATION
2024 Cowboy State Politics interview starts at 17:37
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
None
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
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Raising the minimum wage raises prices and helps encourage inflation. I made $3.15/hour on my first job, and that $3.15 went farther than $15 does today.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
ESG ratings are based on a flawed philosophy and are un-American.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
NEVER.
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 would most closely align with C with a hope to transition eventually to D. The Government should have never become involved in Healthcare, but we can't drop the programs overnight because it would cause chaos. If we could transition back to a system based on a private free-market with competition, I believe we would see Healthcare improve, and I believe everyone would have access to it.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
NEVER. I strongly oppose any mandates of this type.
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?
Yes. Israel is the only Country in the Middle East that even comes close to sharing our moral and ethical values, and I believe we share a foundational relationship based on our belief in the same God. America was built on Judeo-Christian principles, and most Israelis are Jewish. We share basic foundational beliefs even though most Americans are Christian and most Israelis are Jewish. Christians are also called upon to support the Nation of Israel.
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
There should be a process, like we had 30 years ago, that requires a long application process. We should allow small numbers of people into the Country. These should be people of high moral character who can contribute to our society and/or who have connections here (spouses, family, etc.). We should not allow uncontrolled immigration.
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
We should ensure the Government does not attach "strings" to this money.
VALUES
Children have the right to be protected from sexually explicit materials in publicly funded libraries, including school libraries.
Strongly Agree
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from harm, including from gender ideology and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Parental Rights is a Major Plank of my Platform. The Government should not raise our children or infringe on Parental Rights!
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and believer in Jesus Christ. However, I do not believe the government should push one religion or denomination over another. I am a firm believer that each American should have every right to believe, or not believe, whatever they wish.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
It is a threat, but it isn't for the reason the Left describes. The term "racism" is used as a political weapon by the Left against anyone with whom they disagree. A racist is simply someone who is winning an argument with a liberal or leftist.
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.
As a Certified Wildlife Biologist for almost 30 years, I am a scientist. The Left has misused and misrepresented "science" making this question too simplistic. Answers depend on the issue. We need laws on some issues. For example, we shouldn't put hazardous waste in our drinking water. However, in regards to most issues known to the general public, the laws are unnecessary or even counter-productive. For example, the green energy push is a farce designed to undermine our economy. I could go on
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Clean Coal.
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?
I think it depends on the level of government. Our Founders intended the Federal Government to provide National Security and deal with International Trade. We have gone way too far beyond that in the United States with the Federal Government involved in things they should not be involved in doing. Based on our Constitution, our government is also supposed to protect our individual rights. However, they more often infringe on our Rights these days. State should stand on 10th Amendment Principles.
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
2ND AMENDMENT
Please express your views on the 2nd Amendment.
The Second Amendment is an individual Right written into our Constitution. It is not granted by the Constitution, but it is codified there. It is a basic Individual Right that is granted by God, and the Government has no moral authority to ever take it away. I have worked to fight for the Second Amendment, both privately and professionally, for many years. I have worked for over 3 years as a National Director with Gun Owners of America. We are a National Second Amendment Rights group with almost 3 million members.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
