Bob Burlage
Non-Partisan | Wisconsin
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Bob Burlage
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2026
Election
WI Spring (Apr) - School Boards and Judicial
Race
Elmbrook Schools Board of Education, Area III Seat
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Ph.D., 1986-1990
WORK & MILITARY
Concordia University Wisconsin, Professor and department chair, 2011-2026
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Professor and department chair, 2001-2010
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Staff scientist, 1990-2001
AFFILIATIONS
Elmbrook Church, Bible study group leader, 2018-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Elmbrook School Board, 2026-
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Donald Trump (2024)
Trump National Committee JFC, INC. (2024)
Scott Walker (2011)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I realize the emotional nature of this issue, and respect a difference of opinion. I hope others would respect my belief in the sanctity of life.
What role should the school serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy?
The school must follow the law. A student with a crisis pregnancy needs support and wise counsel, and will probably need accommodation in her academic work.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
With regard to public schools, what does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The phrase is often used, but usually inappropriately. Government (at all levels) cannot establish a religion, or promote one religion over others. Government can't enforce religious doctrine on others. However, neither can government be hostile to religious belief. Voluntary participation by students in religious studies or programs should be encouraged.
ECONOMY
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
If you take out a loan, you pay it back.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
That's a huge question. We pay property taxes to our local government to fund our schools, with which I agree (local control is better). We pay state taxes, which can be used to shift money to poorer school districts in an attempt to create equal opportunities. I agree with that as well, although I want a transparent process, and I want to see realistic outcomes from the students who are affected. The federal funding through the Department of Education was terrible.
IMMIGRATION
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enhances the safety and security of communities by identifying and detaining illegal aliens.
Strongly Agree
This is currently a hot-button issue, but it shouldn't be. I know plenty of people who have emigrated to this country legally, and they are angry at those who simply wander in uninvited. We have rules for a reason, and we need to let the rest of the world know that we're serious about controlling our borders.
EDUCATION
Abortion and gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Disagree
I have no objection to these groups existing outside of the school, as long as they follow the law, but they have no place inside the school.
Consequences for bad behavior create a safe and orderly environment, which is essential for student learning.
Strongly Agree
I'm heard too many stories of children who disrupt classrooms with violent behavior. If they have some sort of mental illness, I am sympathetic, but they need a different environment. If they are simply ill-mannered, they need to know consequences.
Educators should give students a thorough education in America's founding documents and cultivate American patriotism.
Strongly Agree
Some educators should, if they know the subject matter. When civics was dropped from the curriculum, the students - future citizens - suffered.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
As mentioned above, I wholeheartedly endorse dumping the DED and moving any functional units of it back to another Department.
If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- abortion methods and side effects; abstinence; consent; contraceptive methods; human anatomy/the reproductive system; physical and emotional health outcomes; sex acts and pleasures of sex; sexual orientation and gender identity; stages of pregnancy and fetal development
I'd support the human anatomy/reproductive system part, the physical and emotional part, stages of pregnancy. I support a frank discussion of the human urge for sexual contact, the fact of pleasure during sex. I'd add the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): American History, Art & Music, Civics, Critical Race Theory, Foreign Language, Gender Identity, Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Political Activism, Science, Sexuality, Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning
I'm not going to prioritize, since I'm a believer in a well-rounded liberal arts education. In alphabetical order: American History, Art & Music, Civics, Foreign Language (I would promote Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Arabic, as these are currently the most widespread languages), Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Science, Vocational Learning.
Public schools should prioritize academic achievement and building character necessary to preserve American traditions and self-government.
Strongly Agree
Creating good citizens and preparing them for a happy and productive life is essential.
School choice creates competition, and that competition will push public schools to improve their educational systems.
Strongly Agree
School choice is especially attractive to parents who want a strong religious component in education.
2ND AMENDMENT
Faculty who are licensed to carry and have had ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school in order to respond to an active shooter situation.
Neutral
This is a topic that has been discussed only recently, and I still have some thinking to do about it. What if you have a teacher who passes all the tests but is known as a hot-head? The use of licensed security seems preferable.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2014 Republican Primary 2014 General Election 2016 Republican Primary 2016 General Election 2018 Republican Primary 2018 General Election 2020 Republican Primary 2020 General Election 2022 Republican Primary 2022 General Election
I was also a poll worker during the Covid time, when they had trouble finding workers.
What political party are you affiliated with?
Republican
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to immigration and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
VALUES
Biological males should 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 Disagree
A biological male is not a female. Female spaces should be protected.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I'm a Christian who draws wisdom and understanding from the Bible, and who tries to live a Christ-like life.
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
We all know that some parents are less-than-ideal, and there is a role for the state to play when neglect or abuse is suspected, but generally speaking , the parent knows best for the welfare of the child.
I support the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that people should be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely agree.
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'll make a slight distinction. I agree that marriage is a union of man and woman. I also support legal unions of two people, the so-called "gay mariage." This is not a marriage, but simply a legal definition recognized by a secular government. My thinking on this issue is that every person should have someone in his/her life that they are connected with; no one should have to go through life alone.
Mental health conditions such as anorexia and gender dysphoria need to be treated, not affirmed.
Strongly Agree
The key here is that they are mental health conditons, not simply "life choices."
School library books that have literary value, as determined by experts, should be exempt from obscenity laws.
Neutral
We could talk for hours about this topic, but I'll say that reasonable people will know which materials are suitable for age groups, and which materials are simply obscene and thus have no place in an education system.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I'm a big believer in election security, as practiced using a photo ID.
