Lexi Melton
Democrat | Tennessee
Candidate Profile*
Liberal (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Lexi Melton
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 35
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga, A.A.S. Nuclear Medicine Technology, 2022
WORK & MILITARY
N/A
AFFILIATIONS
Kappa Delta Sorority, Trousdale County Democrats
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
N/A
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
N/A
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (3)
Run for Something
Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood
Change TN
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Planned Parenthood
Change TN
Tennessee Young Democrats
Run for Something
TN Women's Political Caucus
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe that the circumstances in which an elective abortion should be allowed can only be decided by the individual obtaining the abortion.
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.
Disagree
As a healthcare professional, I understand the importance of information gathering surrounding medications and reactions however, the identity of the individuals who had those reactions should always remain confidential if not anonymous.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Planned Parenthood provides much needed healthcare (STD testing, mammogram clinics, pap smears etc.) to people who would otherwise not have access to those services.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
I am not well versed in this topic but am open to learning in order to develop a more informed opinion.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Neutral
I believe we should all have equal opportunity with minimal government interference. I do however believe it is the governments job to step in and put controls in place should there start to be a negative impact on any individual (i.e. price gouging).
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I believe that the minimum wage shouldn't just be a minimum wage but a minimum living wage. Minimum wage was intended to be the minimum amount a job should pay but still be able to support a family. What we have now is far below that.
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?
When public health and safety is of concern.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Agree
Private industry can do what it wants but individuals or businesses receiving public funds or who are affiliated with the government in any way should be required to provide services to anyone. For example, a court clerk should not be allowed to discriminate against an LGBTQ couple who is trying to get married at the courthouse.
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. America is the only first world country that doesn't provide a government funded healthcare system. People shouldn't be putting off their health and well being due to unaffordability.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
When public health and safety is of concern.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Neutral
I am not well versed in this topic but am open to learning in order to develop a more informed opinion.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
I think the United States' relationship with any country is important. World peace and cohesiveness is always the goal.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Neutral
I saw a video recently of a debate between Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush where they were both advocating for providing care and education to immigrants, undocumented and otherwise. In that same debate, Reagan advocated for open borders. I'm not advocating for open borders but I think there were some really valid points in that debate that could be applied to our current border situation.
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
Public dollars belong in public schools only. Parent's already have the freedom to choose their child's school. If they don't like the public school option they can choose private or homeschool. That choice should not be at the expense of public tax dollars. Just look at the massive failure of school vouchers, because that's what this question is concerning NOT parents' freedom, in Arizona and Illinois.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Neutral
Children should always be protected from abuse however, gender ideology is not abuse and some cultures believe circumcision is bodily mutilation.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Agree
I am running for office to provide representation of the people in my district. I am not running to tell people how to live their lives or how to parent their children.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Neutral
In order to answer this question, I would need a more detailed definition of what "gender transition services" entails.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Disagree
Per Merriam-Webster, the definition of marriage is "the state of being united as spouses in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law." Not everyone believes in God or certain cult groups definitions of Christianity and therefore those values should not be applied to the general public.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian that grew up in a Southern Baptist Church. I have grown apart from the Southern Baptist Church but not from my faith. I still believe there is good in the world and I believe God wants us all to treat others with kindness and love while advocating for any underprivileged individuals.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
Any government issued photo ID should suffice.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Agree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I do believe racism is a threat to domestic security in the US especially with the rhetoric being used in the current political climate. People feel emboldened to say any rude or offensive thing they want to anyone that doesn't look or sound like them and it has and always will be wrong.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Agree
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.
Disagree
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.
D. The government doesn't matter if we don't have a planet to live on.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear, Wind, and Solar should dominate our energy mix.
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 guardrails to protect citizens life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
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?
Moderate
I just care about people and that shouldn't be a liberal concept.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
There is a difference between putting protections in place to allow people the freedom to live their life the way they want and controlling a person or families every move. Putting protections in place to prevent innocent people and children from losing their lives while still allowing people to have and obtain firearms is not infringing upon anyone's rights or liberties. These protections include things like safe storage laws, red flag laws, or permit/license requirements.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
Unequivocally.
