R. E. Ellison
Democrat | Tennessee
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
R. E. Ellison
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 8
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
DeVRY INST IF TECH, Atlanta, Assoc, 1983
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Optimist International, Sevier Chapter, Jaycees
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (1)
Change TN
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Mom's Demand Action
US TERM LIMITS
Jamie Raskins US Senator
OTHER INFORMATION
R. E. Ellison completed the 2024 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
First 3 months like ROE V WADE.
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
Tracking women's actions to use against them is WRONG!!!!
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Disagree
Women should be eligible for HEALTHCARE regardless if abortion is part of treatment or NOT. Women populate the world, WE should take care of them.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Agree
Mercy is important part of being human. I do not want my life to be a burden on others especially if my quality of life is gone. Lengthy bed r immobility and no cognitive ability are beneficial to no one. Personal choice should be respected.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Trickle Down was WRONG and did NOT promote the "shared" wealth it promised or the minimum wage would be around $25/hr by now. It is disgusting to imagine a waitress being paid $2.15/hr in 2024 but IT IS HAPPENING. WE MUST RAISE MIN WAGE.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Safety of members. WE need to TAX any church that disseminates political information or advice. Crosses line of church and state.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
Private Business vs Publicly Traded Private Business should be able to refuse to work with someone and are not allowed to work on government jobs.... but a Public Business should be required to follow current laws to avoid discrimination.
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.
A. Medical care should NOT BE FOR PROFIT
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
For the protection of our Citizens. One person opposed on principle should NOT endanger multiple people. Requirements must be vetted and approved.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
We are one of their biggest buyers, do they want to destroy us? Probably NOT. CYBER security is critical for USA against everyone not just China. Korea, Russia, Iran and other dictatorships are a problem but sometimes WE need to let THEM work it out. WE need to assist in spreading Democracy around WORLD. I believe that is what WE do... Encourage Freedom.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Not sure why that tiny area can hold the world hostage to their needs. We need to support them as WE do all our Allies . To me, Ukraine is equal to Israel in importance. WE should help those that help themselves and WE should assist. I also don't want our military to protect other countries oil, they need to use their own money to extract, produce, move and protect their own things... They can afford it. We need to protect USA and help our friends.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
NOT only should We be handling the borders better but WE need to be more compassionate towards anyone who will walk thousands of miles to be here. We have citizens who don't appreciate USA and are to self involved to understand that fleeing death, leaving everything you know for the possibility of freedom is a big deal. No one cares about their mental health, Right? If WE don't want them, why don't WE help them with the reason they are fleeing? People would rather be in their own country.
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 Disagree
NO VOUCHERS. FULLY FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Public schools are not great because for 40 years, funds have been cut and cut and cut. Most important job is to educate our children, fund teachers and schools.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
Medical issues should be handled by medical personnel and patients. Grooming happens regardless of gender. Abuse laws need to be streamlined to actually punish abusers, protect and treat the abused.We should try to protect ALL CHILDREN instead of just focusing on the exceptions.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Unless abusive parents, then leave parents to raise their own children.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
All medical choices, non urgent services, should be paid by person receiving elective surgery. I do NOT do enough about transgender cases to have opinion other than thinking children should NOT be making medical decisions. Doctors need to decide with an adult patient (18+).
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 Disagree
Marriage is a Man made legal procedure that merges two people financially and in legal matters. Since divorce rate is 50% or more, it doesn't appear to be working. Any two people who choose to merge finances and accept legal responsibility should be able to "marry" or merge. Does it really matter? Divorce is an abomination... It rips families apart. Maybe once you marry, it's til death?? That's God's plan, right?
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have always felt protected by God. So I am exceptionally spiritual and an absolute believer. I just don't trust organized religion. I try to be a good Christian everyday and with every decision I make. I was raised with TN Values and I practice what I preach.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
No. Everyone should be verifiable and have state issued ID
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Agree
Electoral College has failed our elections 2 times.... Gore & Clinton. They won the popular vote (citizens choice) and was denied the presidency because a few hundred citizens (chosen by party) stole the election from our citizens. No one citizen's vote should be more important than anyone else's vote. One person One Vote. No more electoral college, if you think you are being outvoted by bigger states or cities... Easy to move, where you live is your choice.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes, white nationalism is 2024 KKK. That is a problem. MAGA is a threat to the peaceful transition if power, example, Jan. 6th Prepare for uprising and plan for handling better than last time. More officers and stopping them before they attack our Capitol. STOP THEM
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Agree
If white people create the plan as if everyone is starting at same place... Then those plans need to be reevaluated to reflect how everyone gets to same start point. Education, opportunity and laws can be used to help ALL our citizens reach their potential and fulfill their dreams. Justice for ALL, remember.
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
I/we don't have the information to actually KNOW how transgender cases are handled and it isn't known to what extent DNA which is male assists in sports, so until we know more, don't risk potential advantage or appearance of unfairness... Just keep female sports, female dna. Women have fought so hard to get sports for themselves, let them keep it.
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.
B,C,D. WE have known for decades that THEY are ruining the world and WE have done very little because of REPUBLICANS cutting regulations and now with PROJECT 2025 they want free reign to completely dissolve the EPA which has already underfunded for decades.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Solar if We can figure out battery storage.
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 shared services with the citizens. To write laws we all agree on as part of our society. To enforce laws. To protect our country. It should work for US citizens not corporations.
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?
Lean Liberal
I believe in accountability and responsibility. I believe in standing up for others. I believe in Constitution. I believe that LOVE conquers HATE and GOOD always wins.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
I think new department of Police is better idea, add social services for trauma and abuse. Less military equipment and more personnel in budgets. No one ever really believed in getting rid of Police... That's crazy
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
No military style weapons should ever be available publicly. Gun manufacturers should be regulated somehow since they are immune from lawsuits. Ban assault weapons (magazine type weapon s). #1 killer of children
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
In TN, they can carry now. I don't know if they want to. Safety of children more important than guns.
