
Jesse Turner
Republican | South Carolina
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jesse Turner
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Representative, District 11
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
United States Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant, 2008-2017
AFFILIATIONS
The Lighthouse Project, President, 2025-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative - District 11, 2026-
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I am pro-life and believe life begins at conception, but this is also about how taxpayer dollars are used. No one should be forced to fund abortion through their taxes. Government should not be in the business of supporting or subsidizing the ending of human life. Public funds should reflect the values of the people and be directed toward protecting life, not ending it.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In rare cases where a pregnancy puts the mother’s life at serious risk, the priority should be saving life whenever possible. Modern medicine often allows both to be protected, but in true emergencies where that is not possible, doctors must have the ability to act to save the mother. These are tragic situations, not matters of convenience, and should be handled with clear medical judgment and care.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Human life deserves legal protection at every stage, from conception until natural death. That principle reflects the belief that life has inherent value and should not be dependent on circumstance or convenience. Laws should be structured to protect the most vulnerable while also recognizing the need for clarity in rare, life-threatening medical situations where difficult decisions must be made.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Choose not to answer
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Choose not to answer
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I don’t believe government should be the primary driver of wages but I do believe people who work full-time should be able to support themselves. Minimum wage should rise with the cost of living and inflation.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
I support zero-based budgeting, requiring agencies to justify every dollar instead of automatically increasing budgets. This reduces “use it or lose it” spending and forces prioritization. I would also audit and consolidate redundant agencies to eliminate overlap, and end corporate subsidies and special deals like FILOT that shift the burden onto taxpayers.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The principle of separation of church and state was originally intended to prevent government from establishing or favoring a specific denomination. It protects religious freedom by ensuring the government cannot dictate belief or enforce a particular religion. At the same time, our nation’s founding principles were strongly influenced by Christian values. We should preserve religious freedom without government control, while recognizing the moral foundations that helped form this country. Jesus
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
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 as safety nets, but I oppose expanding taxpayer-funded healthcare. Instead, we need real reforms: full price transparency so patients know costs upfront, allowing insurance to be sold across state lines to increase competition, and requiring hospitals to accept any state-approved insurance. The goal is more access and affordability without expanding government control.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Disagree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
No.The United States should avoid long-term entanglements with any foreign nation and prioritize its own interests first. As George Washington warned, we should avoid “permanent alliances” that can pull us into conflicts not our own. Our foreign policy should be based on independence and putting the American people first; Not commitments that limit our ability to act in our own best interest. Additionally, we should not be sending any money to any nation when our own infrastructure is failing.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Disagree
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Disagree
I do not support completely eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, but I do believe it has become too large and too disconnected from local needs. The focus should be on reducing federal overreach and increasing local control. Education should be primarily driven by states, communities, parents, teachers, and the school board. Not dictated by a one-size-fits-all federal approach.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Agree
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Agree
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
There are two biological sexes, male and female. At the same time, people dealing with gender-related struggles deserve compassion and real help. I don’t believe minors should undergo irreversible medical procedures, as those are life-altering decisions that should wait until adulthood. Kids need support and guidance, not permanent changes they may not fully understand. Once someone is 18, that’s their decision, but I pray they receive the help they need beforehand and don't do it.
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
Biblically, marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman. Period. That just is what it is. To the state however, “marriage” is a legal contract; tax status, property rights, hospital access,etc. The government has no business in your bedroom. Next they’ll be telling you what positions you can do. What two consenting adults do is not the government’s role to control. To give one set group tax benefits and preferential treatment vs others is a clear violation of the 14th Amendment.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
Government shouldn’t rely on people losing money to fund itself. We should be building opportunity, not profiting off addiction and false hope. It doesn't create wealth, it traps people in a cycle of poverty.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a bondservant of Jesus Christ. If you’re not familiar with what that means, I encourage you to spend more time in Scripture; it will explain it better than I ever could. It’s not about a denomination or title it’s about following our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Faith isn’t a label; it’s a relationship and a commitment to live by His truth. There are many wolves in sheep’s clothing, but you will know me by my fruit.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
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
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
A reliable energy supply comes from a balanced mix, but the most dependable backbone is consistent, always-on power like nuclear and natural gas. These sources provide stable electricity regardless of weather or time of day, which is critical.
ABOUT YOU
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?
Conservative
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.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The goal of the justice system is to be fair to everyone. It should not matter your background, who you know, or what position of power you hold. Justice must be blind and applied equally under the law. When people believe the system favors some over others, trust breaks down. A fair system holds everyone accountable the same and ensures every person is treated with dignity and equal protection.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
“Shall not be infringed” is clear in its intent. A well-regulated militia at the time meant citizens who are trained, prepared, and capable. Not restricted. The right to bear arms belongs to the people, and any policy should respect that.
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