Mark Grannis
Libertarian | Maryland
Candidate Profile
Evaluation In Progress
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Grannis
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2012
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 8
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Governor Gary Johnson
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
1. Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and is the key to national prosperity.
Strongly Agree
2. Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry of persons into the country.
Agree
3. It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.
Disagree
4. Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Agree
5. Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Disagree
6. Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Agree
7. The United States must maintain a nuclear arsenal that is safe, reliable, modern and numerically superior to those of potential adversaries.
Agree
8. Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.
Disagree
9. U.S. disarmament entailed in President Obama’s defense budget cuts will endanger our national security.
Disagree
10. Pure democracy is the best form of government to ensure the safety and equitable treatment of all citizens.
Disagree
11. Who has the primary responsibility to be sure children are properly educated?
Parents
12. Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?
Life or health of the mother, and forcible rape
13. Based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, please arrange the following entities, starting with the highest source of authority, and continue the list in descending order of authority, skipping any that do not apply: Academia, Congress, Constitution, God, Industry, Media, Professional Sports, Supreme Court, Voters.
Under the Constitution, it's Voters, Constitution, and then a tie among the three branches of government. The Declaration does not confer authority anywhere, but does appeal both to God's design and to the opinions of mankind (Voters).
14. What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers within the Constitution?
We are not angels, and powers should only be conferred with a careful consideration of how they might be abused.
15. Please list your educational, military and vocational history, and any church and civic leadership positions held, and political positions held or sought.
AB 1985 Georgetown University (majors in Government and Economics); JD 1988 Michigan Law School. No military history. Lawyer in private practice 1988-present, except for a judicial clerkship (1989-90) and two years at the FCC (1994-96); currently managing partner of Wiltshire & Grannis LLP, a 30-lawyer firm I co-founded in 1998. Cantor (and choir member) at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (1993-96); member (and two-time president) of Pastoral Council at Blessed Sacrament (1999-2002); coaching various soccer and football teams. Member of Executive Board of Libertarian Party of Maryland since 2010, and currently serving as Vice-Chair. My only previous political experiences is as the 2010 Libertarian candidate for U.S. House seat in Maryland's 8th District.
16. What charitable, educational, religious, or political organizations have you been affiliated with as a member, contributor, or volunteer?
I can't list every organization to which I have contributed, particularly the soup kitchens, food banks, schools, and medical research foundations. But here are some affiliations that might be of interest (in addition to those listed above): The Adirondack Mountain Club The Cato Institute The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Citizens Against Government Waste Downsize DC Gun Owners of America Holy Trinity Catholic Church The Independent Institute The Izaak Walton League of America Rockville Football League Maryland Shall Issue The National Rifle Association
17. Please list the six (6) most important endorsements (groups or individuals) of your current candidacy.
The most important endorsement has been from my family, without whom I could not stand for election; and from the Libertarian Party of Maryland, which nominated me. I have also been endorsed by Governor Gary Johnson. In 2010 I received endorsements from Liberty Candidates and the Boston Tea Party.
