Erik Seligman
Republican | Kansas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Erik Seligman
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 83
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, B.A., Mathematics, 1991
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, M.S., Computer Science, 1993
WORK & MILITARY
Intel Corporation, Formal Verification Architect, 1994-2021
Cadence Design Systems, Senior Product Engineering Architect, 2021-2024
AFFILIATIONS
Wichita State Univeristy, Electrical & Computer Engineering Industry Advisory Board (2023-present)
Hillsboro School District (Hillsboro, Oregon), Member, Curriculum Committee (2012-2013)
Washington County, Oregon, Member, Commission on Children & Families (2012-2013)
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Hillsboro, Oregon School Board. (20,000+ student mega-district), 2013-2017
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
LIBERAL (1)
Cannabis Justice Coalition
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
Contributions and Expenditures for 2024 cycle
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Very early in pregnancy, before significant brain development.
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).
Agree
While they should not be getting taxpayer funds for elective abortions, there may still be cases where they are supplying emergency services due to pregnancy complications, and have to perform one to save a life. If they receive taxpayer funds for such medical services, these emergency abortions should be allowed.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Only in cases of immediate danger, like a fire next door.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
I actually host an anticommunist podcast that has talked about many specific Chinese abuses-- see https://storiesofcommunism.com .
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, because it's the only civilized, modern country in a barbaric part of the world. It is also responsible for a hugely disproportionate amount of America's tech productivity: many major tech companies critically depend on R&D branches in Israel.
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.
Somewhere between C and D. We probably need some safety net at the very bottom, but it should be minimized.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
In general, we should strongly avoid instituting any such requirement. But if a disease has long-established science showing issues of herd immunity & a well-understood vaccine, like measles (NOT covid), such requirements may be needed.
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?
Minimum wage laws are inherently counterproductive and distort the labor market, reducing low-end employment in favor of automation. The real minimum wage is always 0, since employers don't need to hire you at all.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
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
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Restrictions should be minimized. Any non-criminal adult should be allowed to own a gun.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
I actually proposed allowing this when serving on the Hillsboro School Board, though was overruled.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Agree
We would need to be very careful to control public use, driving under influence, etc.
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 public safety and enable the people to productively control their own lives with minimal interference.
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
VALUES
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.
Agree
Marriage is a longstanding instutution that predates the U.S. government. However, given that a certain proportion of the population will be gay, I think we're better off allowing them some form of civil union than completely denying them this possibility & encouraging social isolation.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I prefer to keep theological discussions out of political campaigns.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
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?
The primary racism that pervades American institutions today is Critical Race Theory, a complete repudiation of MLK's dream that people be judged "not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." It attempts to sow division and resentment, encouraging everyone to exploit group victim points & demand revenge, rather than taking advantage of their many opportunities. Among the consequences: BLM/Palestine riots, and the collapse of order in many major cities.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
I exposed outrageous CRT training materials & fought against CRT when serving on the Hillsboro School Board in Oregon- you can see one of my blogs on the topic at https://seligman4schools.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-to-be-racist-in-hillsboro.html .
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.
A, C.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear power. We need to undo the post-Three-Mile-Island paranoia and get back to building nuclear plants.
