Joseph H. M. Schenk Jr.
Non-Partisan | Virginia
Candidate Profile
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
San Diego State University, San Diego, California, BA French Literature, 1989-1993
The Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan, Law Degree, 1994-1997
The George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C., Masters of Law, 1997-1998
WORK & MILITARY
Martinsville Public Defender's Office, Assistant Public Defender, 1998-2003
Danville Public Defender's Office, Public Defender, 2003-2025
Martinsville Public Defender's Office, Assistant Public Defender, 2025-
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
Complete list of candidate's Campaign Finance Reports can be found on the Virginia State Board of Elections website.
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Neutral
As a Christian I am personally against abortion, however, as an attorney I recognize that the law protects individual freedoms. I support freedom and respect that other people may not have the same viewpoint as I do. While I may disagree with their choice, I support their freedom to make that choice as long as it is permissible under the law.
What role should the school serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy?
Schools should be prepared to educate students on the various options that exist should this happen. They should respect the boundaries between education and advocacy. Students should have these conversations with their parents and if that is not possible then Virginia Code 16.1-241 sets forth the law concerning other options they have.
ECONOMY
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Disagree
Student loan forgiveness allows people to work in a field they might not otherwise consider. A public service type of job typically pays much less than a job in the private sector. Student loan forgiveness allows the public sector jobs to recruit top tier talent and be competitive in the hiring process because of the incentive of student loan forgiveness.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
The government should absolutely fund public education from Pre-K through 12th grade. Funding college is complicated because attending college isn't a choice that all students make, nor is it a choice that should be forced upon them. The cost of education should never be a barrier to attending and many programs currently exist that allow students to attend college if they wish. However, a mandate that government should be responsible for the cost of education at any college is not realistic.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
With regard to public schools, what does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Separation of church and state simply means that public schools are not going to endorse one religion over any other. It does not mean that schools will or should be institutions devoid of religion. By that I mean, if a child wishes to say a blessing before eating a meal then they have the freedom to do so. The school can't prohibit this, nor can the school dictate which blessing should be said
IMMIGRATION
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enhances the safety and security of communities by identifying and detaining illegal aliens.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
Abortion and gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Disagree
Consequences for bad behavior create a safe and orderly environment, which is essential for student learning.
Neutral
There comes a time when all children need to learn about personal responsibility. This isn't the same as bad behavior. We all make choices in life and we all need to accept the consequences of those decisions, good or bad, and that is essential for learning. It fosters an environment where individuals think before the act versus reacting to every situation.
Educators should give students a thorough education in America's founding documents and cultivate American patriotism.
Strongly Agree
It is essential that students learn about our founding documents. Cultivating American patriotism is a different issue. Perhaps learning about things will have this effect, perhaps it won't. Either way I believe it is crucial for every student to learn about this subject.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Disagree
I can't support a blanket statement without knowing what the end product looks like. Show me the plans that all states have developed and then I could better answer whether this would be a good idea or a bad one. That being said, I don't know of any impediments standing in the way of our community or Commonwealth doing more for the students here if they chose to do so.
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 came from the generation where the football coach was also the sex ed teacher. I believe students should be taught the biology of the subject matter, human anatomy, the reproductive system, stages of pregnancy and fetal development, abstinence, consent and contraception. The rest of the topics go beyond what I would view as appropriate in a primary school setting.
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
Mathematics, Science, History, Language Arts, American History, Civics, Vocational Learning, Art & Music, Foreign Language, Physical Fitness, Personal Finances.
Public schools should prioritize academic achievement and building character necessary to preserve American traditions and self-government.
Agree
Academic achievement and building character should definitely be a priority for schools. I don't see how encouraging or prioritizing either relates to preserving American traditions and self-government.
School choice creates competition, and that competition will push public schools to improve their educational systems.
Disagree
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.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am Catholic and have traditional and conservative Christian values. My step-father is Jewish and I have always celebrated the Jewish holidays with him and my mother and he would celebrate the Christian holidays with us.
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
In Virginia, the government does recognize and support this fundamental right.
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
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
Government has exercised control in this area by requiring people to obtain a marriage license. I support individual freedom consistent with the law.
Mental health conditions such as anorexia and gender dysphoria need to be treated, not affirmed.
Choose not to answer
I am not a doctor.
School library books that have literary value, as determined by experts, should be exempt from obscenity laws.
Choose not to answer
What books are we talking about? What libraries are you asking these books to be in? I need more information before I can give you an answer on this question.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
If you walk into a gun store, you need photo identification to purchase a gun.
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 General Election 2016 General Election 2018 General Election 2020 General Election 2022 General Election
I can't recall which primary elections that I voted in.
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?
Lean Conservative
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.
Disagree
If we need more school resource officers, or security staff, to ensure safe schools then let's have that conversation.
If you are not already receiving our updates, stay current with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.
Invest in America’s Future
Join the movement to restore biblical values and constitutional principles in our nation by informing and mobilizing more faith-based voters with the truth.
