Mark Lightner III
Republican | Florida
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Lightner III
Party
Republican
Election Year
2025
Election
Special Primary and Special General
Race
State Senate, District 19
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Bachelors in Business, 2021
Eastern Florida State College, Melbourne, AA, 2019
Viera High School, Melbourne, High School, 2019
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
St. John's the Evangelist, Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe that every life is precious and deserves protection. I am proudly pro-life and will always stand for the rights of the unborn.
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.
Choose not to answer
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
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
The government should not have the power to close churches under normal circumstances, as it would violate the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom.
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
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, the U.S.-Israel relationship is crucial. Israel is a key ally, providing intelligence, military cooperation, and technological advancements that strengthen U.S. security. As the only stable democracy in the region, it aligns with American values and helps counter threats from hostile nations and terrorism. Supporting Israel promotes regional stability and ensures a strong, reliable partner in the Middle East.
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.
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 kills jobs, raises prices, and speeds up automation. It's meant as a starting point, not a career. Instead of mandates, we should focus on creating better-paying jobs, lowering costs, and expanding opportunities for everyone.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
No, public funds should be invested based on financial returns and fiduciary responsibility, not political or ideological agendas like ESG ratings. Investments should prioritize economic growth, job creation, and the best financial outcomes for taxpayers, not social engineering.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The U.S. must take stronger action to secure the southern border to protect national security, combat drug and human trafficking, and uphold the rule of law. This means completing physical barriers where necessary, increasing border patrol funding, and utilizing advanced technology to detect illegal crossings. A secure border ensures that legal immigration remains orderly and fair while preventing cartels and criminals from exploiting weak enforcement.
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
State education funding should prioritize students, not systems. Allowing dollars to follow the child empowers parents to choose the best education for their kids—whether public, private, charter, or homeschool. School choice increases competition, improves quality, and ensures every child has access to an education that fits their needs, not just the one assigned by their zip code. Parents, not the government, should have control over their child’s future.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution states that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Aside from the obvious restriction such as age, I do not believe we should have significant gun regulation.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Teachers should be allowed to carry guns at school if they choose to and meet strict training and safety standards. Properly trained educators could provide an added layer of protection in emergencies. However, the decision should be made on a case-by-case basis, ensuring student safety remains the top priority. We must explore all measures to protect students while maintaining a secure and positive school environment.
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?
The general purpose of government is to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, maintain order, and provide for the common good. It should ensure security, uphold the rule of law, and create an environment where individuals can pursue their own happiness and success. Government should also foster a stable economy, protect personal property, and support institutions that promote the well-being and progress of society. Its role is not to control but to serve and empower the people.
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
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Unless that decision causes physical or psychological harm. Such as hormone blockers, bodily mutation, etc.
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.
Neutral
Adults should have the freedom to choose whomever they want to marry. While my personal view of marriage is God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. I do not believe the government should play a role in telling people who they can and cannot marry.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian who believes in the power of faith, family, and personal responsibility. My values are rooted in biblical principles—honoring God, serving others, and standing for truth. I believe faith should guide our actions, shaping strong families, moral leadership, and a community built on integrity, compassion, and accountability.
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?
Racism can be a threat to domestic security if it leads to violence and division, but I don’t believe systemic racism exists in America. We've made significant progress toward equality, and while we must address any instances of hate or violence, we must also recognize the strength of our nation in promoting fairness and opportunity for all. Ensuring peace and unity requires focusing on solutions that bring us together, not divide us further.
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.
C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Oil/Coal
