
Josh Gazelka
Republican | Minnesota
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Josh Gazelka
Party
Republican
Election Year
2025
Election
Special Primary SD6
Race
State Senate, Dist. 6
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Crow Wing County Republicans, Executive Committee Member, Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Center
Contributor, Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer/Contributor
Teen Challenge, Contributor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Assn (MPPOA)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association
OTHER INFORMATION
Iron Purpose youtube interview with candidate:
2025 Lakes Area Voting Guide: Candidate Josh Gazelka.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe elective abortion should not be permitted, except in rare cases where the life of the mother is at serious risk. As a pro-life candidate, I’ve supported and fundraised for pregnancy resource centers because I believe in supporting both mother and child. I also believe Minnesota should prioritize policies that provide real support for women facing unplanned pregnancies, rather than pushing abortion as the only option.
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
These drugs carry serious risks. Requiring medical oversight and proper data collection is the bare minimum when it comes to protecting the health and safety of women.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Taxpayers should never be forced to fund organizations that perform or promote abortion. There are better ways to support women’s health that do not involve controversial practices or political activism.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
I believe every life has inherent value and dignity, and we should focus on compassionate end-of-life care and palliative support—not normalizing or promoting assisted suicide. Minnesota should lead with empathy, not policies that treat life as disposable.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never. The government does not have the authority to close churches. Religious liberty is a foundational right protected by the Constitution, and no crisis justifies infringing on that freedom.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Freedom of conscience is a fundamental American right. Individuals and businesses should not be forced by the government to act against their deeply held moral or religious convictions.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The Chinese Communist Party has proven to be a significant threat to U.S. national security through military expansion, cyberattacks, theft of intellectual property, and attempts to undermine economic and geopolitical stability. It’s critical that we remain vigilant, protect our interests, and reduce dependence on adversarial regimes.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, the U.S.-Israel relationship is vital for both strategic and moral reasons. Israel is a key democratic ally in a volatile region, providing critical intelligence and military cooperation. Supporting Israel also reflects our shared values of freedom, stability, and security 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. We need a healthcare system that promotes competition, innovation, and individual choice—not one that grows government dependency. While we should protect programs like Medicare and Medicaid for those who truly need them, expanding government-run healthcare is not the solution. We should reduce cost and improve access by removing unnecessary regulations and allowing more private market options.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Government should never mandate vaccines. Health decisions should be made by individuals and families, not bureaucrats. While private organizations may set policies, freedom and informed consent must remain central to public health.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and property rights are the foundation of economic freedom and prosperity. Government should focus on creating a level playing field—not picking winners and losers—and allow individuals and businesses to thrive without excessive interference.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
One-size-fits-all mandates hurt small businesses and reduce job opportunities. I support growing wages through a strong economy and workforce development, not government mandates.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
Public funds should be invested based on sound financial principles and the best return for taxpayers—not politically motivated ESG criteria. These standards often inject ideology into financial decisions and can divert resources away from responsible and effective investments.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
A secure border is essential to national security, public safety, and the rule of law. We must finish the wall, increase enforcement, and give our border agents the resources they need to stop illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. Legal immigration should be fair and respected—securing the border is foundational to that.
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
Families deserve options when it comes to their children’s education. Whether it’s public, private, charter, or homeschool, funding should follow the child—not be tied to a system. Empowering parents leads to better outcomes for students and stronger accountability across the board.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
Redirecting funds away from law enforcement weakens public safety. I believe in fully funding our police, providing them with the resources and training they need to do their jobs effectively, and partnering with communities to build trust. We can invest in support programs in addition to strong policing—but never at the expense of public safety.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe the Second Amendment is clear—law-abiding citizens have the right to keep and bear arms. We should focus on enforcing existing laws rather than creating new restrictions that burden responsible gun owners. The focus must be on keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals, not infringing on the rights of those who follow the law.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
I support local school districts having the option to allow trained and willing teachers or staff to carry firearms. This should always be voluntary and accompanied by rigorous safety training, but it can be a practical step to enhance school security in some communities.
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 purpose of government is to protect individual rights, ensure public safety, and uphold the rule of law. It should focus on essential functions that individuals or local communities can’t do alone, while staying limited, transparent, and accountable to 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
I believe in limited government, personal responsibility, strong families, and a free-market economy. I support law enforcement, the right to life, the Second Amendment, and the protection of individual liberties—including religious freedom and parental rights. I view the Constitution as a guiding document that should be upheld, not reinterpreted to fit modern trends. My conservative values are rooted in faith, common sense, and a desire to preserve what’s good.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Children deserve protection, not politicization. We must safeguard them from harmful ideologies and irreversible procedures, and ensure parents—not activists or government—guide their development.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Parents are the primary authority and protector in a child’s life. They must have the right to make medical, educational, and moral decisions for their children without government interference.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Public money should not be used for irreversible procedures that many minors later regret. Our priority should be protecting children and supporting their families—not funding controversial ideology.
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
I personally believe in the traditional definition of marriage, and that belief is shaped by my Christian faith. That said, the U.S. Supreme Court has settled this issue legally, and I don’t believe revisiting it now would be productive or helpful. I’d rather focus on protecting religious liberty and strengthening families where there’s room for common ground and real progress.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian, and my faith shapes every part of my life. I believe in living with integrity, humility, and conviction—always seeking to serve others and honor God. I do my best to lead with truth and grace, and I believe strong families and moral foundations are essential for a healthy society.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Secure elections are essential to public trust in the democratic process. Requiring a valid photo ID to vote is a reasonable and common-sense safeguard—just like we use IDs for countless other basic functions in life. It helps prevent fraud and protects the integrity of our elections.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College was designed to ensure all states—large and small—have a voice in presidential elections. Eliminating it would silence rural communities like ours and shift power to major cities. I will always stand against efforts to weaken the voice of Greater Minnesota.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism, like any form of hatred, is wrong and must be condemned—but we also need to be clear-eyed about the broader challenges our communities face. Labeling racism as a primary domestic security threat can distract from urgent issues like violent crime, drug trafficking, and mental health. We should address racism where it exists, but not use it as a political tool to divide us.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Our nation has a complicated history, but we’ve made tremendous progress. CRT promotes a worldview that divides people by race and teaches children to view themselves as either victims or oppressors. I believe in teaching history honestly—both our flaws and our triumphs—but not through a lens that undermines unity or personal responsibility.
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
This is basic common sense and basic fairness. Girls’ and women’s spaces exist to protect privacy, dignity, and safety. We need to protect these boundaries—not blur them—especially in areas like sports, shelters, and prisons. I will always stand for women’s rights and the truth of biological reality.
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) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. We can be good stewards of our environment without sacrificing jobs or energy reliability. Overregulation often backfires—driving up costs for families and businesses, stalling innovation, and making us more dependent on foreign energy.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I’m not an energy expert, but I believe nuclear is one of the most reliable options we have. We should also support domestic natural gas and explore solutions. I’m committed to learning from experts and keeping energy affordable and dependable.
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