James O'Donnell
Libertarian | Missouri
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
James O'Donnell
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Representative, Dist. 93
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Webster University, St Louis, BS, 2004
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy/ Navy Reserves, OS2(SW) E-5, 10
AFFILIATIONS
Libertarian Party, Committee Chair- MO State Senate District 1, St Louis County Committee, MO LP Executive Board, MO LP State Delegate, Ancient Order of Hibernians
St Louis County Irish Board-VP, Historian, Cardinal Glennon Div 2-Chaplin, Standing Committee Chair, Historian, AOH Dogtown Parade Committee, Knights of Columbus, Council 14719 Chancellor
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Affton Lodge 2635- Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Life Member, Conference of Food Protection, Council I Voting Member, Sponsorship Committee (Chair), Constitution and By-Laws Committee, Program Standards Standing Committee, Listeria Retail Guidelines Committee, Issues Committee
MO Milk, Food, and Environmental Health Association/ MO Environmental Health Association, Past President, Executive Board Advisor, National Environmental Health Association
Business and Industry Affiliate- Executive Board member, International Association for Food Protection, Affiliate Council Chair
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Restaurant Commissioner, St Louis County, 2020 to present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Personally I believe abortion is, in general, wrong. However, my morality may not apply to you. Unless the child has reached independent viability with a minimal amount of medical assistance, it is the decision of the parents whether or not to allow the child to develop.
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.
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
In order to reduce the debt, Taxpayers need to stop playing for a vast number of programs. Corporations and service providers exist to make money. They can operate on the profits from a free market. Elective abortions are elective. Medically necessary abortions should be covered by insurance.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
This is a topic I struggle with personally. I am against suicide, whether its the 22 a day or the angsty teenager or the Dad that has lost his kids to divorce. Suicide is cowardly and moves the burden to those that care about you. That said, end of life suffering due to the effects of cancer or some other disease is cruel. I would have to see the legislation before agreeing or disagreeing.
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?
People deserve a fair wage. That wage should be based on the skill level, importance, and merit of the position and the person filling it.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
In order to reduce the debt, Taxpayers need to stop playing for a vast number of programs. ESG has nothing to do with growing the economy only hindering it.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Separation of Church and State is included in the Constitution for a reason. Government has no business in a persons personal beliefs. Likewise Religious entities should not be supported by taxpayer dollars nor have a say in secular government.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
I have the right to shop where I choose. If a business does not want my money, someone else will. Let the market decide.
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.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None, however, If a business requires a vaccine as part of the hiring process, it is the businesses option. Changing requirements for existing employees should not be allowed.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The US relationships with any country is important, but our first priority is the American Citizen. When we are balanced we can can worry about the rest of the world. We should not turn a blind eye, but we should square our house first.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The Federal Government has 2 responsibilities, Protect its citizens and foster commerce. All borders should be secured. our military should be for defense. This country was built with immigrant hands. We need our legal immigrants. Allowing Illegals aliens to stay and to give them any benefits is to insult to those that came here through proper processes. It lessens the value of citizenship and is unfair to taxpayers.
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.
Agree
The Department of Education has crippled our children and should be disbanded. Funds designated for each child's education should go to where the parent elects the child to go. Competition will bear the best schools to educate our future.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
I am against the use of chemical castration, hormone blockers, or physical mutilation on children for transitional purposes as these are irreversible.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Parents are ultimately responsible for the health, wellbeing and education of their children. Children lack the experience to make their own decisions.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
In order to reduce the debt, Taxpayers need to stop playing for a vast number of programs. Elective cosmetic treatments are your own responsibility.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
Separation of Church and State is included in the Constitution for a reason. The state can not dictate to a religious entity how it perceives a sacrament. Religion can not dictate the laws of a legal contract. Tolerance is needed by both.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am an Irish-Catholic American. My spirituality is mine alone. My core value is that You are the best person to control your life. I am the best to control mine. As long as you are not affecting others or harming children, you do you. The government should not interfere in the lives of the individual or steal resources from its citizens. Government belongs to its Citizens, NOT the other way around. Talk to your neighbors. Get involved with your community. Join local service organizations such as Elks, Knights of Columbus, VFW, AOH, Rotary, etc. Let’s build our communities up instead of hiding away from each other. To the government, we are just numbers. Share a meal or drink with your neighbor and see we have more in common than not.
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.
Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
There are corporations, institutes, and politicians that make all their money by keeping racism alive. Culturally, we may have our differences. That does not prohibit us from living and working together. Celebrate your culture. Share it with as many as you can. Weave it into the fabric of the Nation. Embrace your ethnicity. Don’t use it as an excuse. Be your best self, put forth your best effort, and don’t let people get in your head, and you can achieve anything.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
The most racist thing is convincing a group of people they are special because of a cosmetic difference. These programs that are meant to aid others are essentially saying these groups are too stupid, lazy, or otherwise unable to or incapable of be equal to other groups. That is false. This is the United States of America. Home of the Free because of the Brave. The American Dream is possible. It is not based on pigment or melanin level but on effort and timing.
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
Regardless of psychological constructs, men and women are biologically different. Bone structure, Muscle tissue, mechanical structures are unique to biological physiology. Women should be protected from abuse and unfair sport competition. Exploitation of these identities is commonly abused and lack sufficient penalty.
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.
C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. We should be good stewards of the environment. As a hunter and someone that has worked in sustainability for years, I encourage responsible environmental use. Climate Change is a natural phenomenon that has been abused by politicians and other organizations to cause fear and insert control. The story changes every ten years.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear energy is the cleanest currently on the market. Hydrogen fuel and graphene are areas I would encourage more development. Admittedly, this is not an area of expertise.
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 ensure citizens have the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution. The provide for the defense of its citizens, allow for the opportunities of commerce, and allow the ability for your personal interests, as long as they don't infringe on those of others.
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
My conservative friends think I am liberal. My liberal friends think I am conservative. I try to used Common Sense for practical solutions.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
I support the proper use of funds for all government institutions. Reduce waste and apply the funds accordingly.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Gun safety education should be a requirement to graduate high school. I believe that by educating citizens removes the fear of these tools. Ownership should require a background check and proper training.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
If they are qualified meaning they have had sufficient training to handle a crisis situation. Sadly the response time for law enforcement even under the best conditions is to long. Having qualified staff members is the best defense for our schools. It should not be known to the public which staff are armed. The assumption that any staff member may be armed is part of the deterrent.
