Mark Pless
Republican | North Carolina
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Pless
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 118
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
PIsgah High School, canton, diploma, 1985
Haywood Community College, Clyde, Paramedic certificate, 1989
WORK & MILITARY
Center Pigeon Fire Dept, Firefighter, 25
AFFILIATIONS
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Haywood County Commissioner, 1
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF; North Carolina Values Coalition
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Representative Michelle Presnell
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, North Carolina should repeal its law allowing abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I do not believe abortion should be performed under any circumstance
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
No religion should be forced on anyone. I am a Christian and my religious beliefs are my right. I do not require others to believe as I believe. I see separation of church and state as a mandated religion such as the Church of England which the Pilgrims were fleeing.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
If the government would get out of the health care business (Affordable Care Act) then the insurance companies competing for clients would keep care affordable. Automotive and Home owners rates in NC are examples of that. There are numerous companies that are in those markets which results in savings to consumers. Medicaid is necessary just like Medicare however if someone is able to work they could find work in today's world. I do not support expanding medicaid since the federal government will eventually stop or remove partial funding leaving the state to pick up the tab.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
State, sheriff and local law enforcement agencies should be required to participate in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) Program to enhance the safety and security of their communities to identify and detain aliens.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who is willing to work and can pass a rigorous background check. If coming from a county who is a threat to the US no admittance. We must protect Americans on our soil.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I feel the current restrictions are sufficient. I do not feel we need more regulations or laws.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1st I would sponsor an Amendment to the Emergency Management Act to limit the execution of a state of emergency to "Naturally Occurring Weather Related Events". 2nd I would like to sponsor a bill to provide economic incentives to attract businesses to the Western North Carolina counties of Haywood, Yancey and Madison. I would like to secure funding to construct 1 new school every 5 years in Haywood, Madison and Yancey counties.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I have been serving as a Haywood County Commissioner since December 2018. We have had very few items come to us that would allow me to be conservative. I try to emphasize the rights of the people such as supporting a resolution to back the entire US Constitution in January of this year. Also in April of this year I voted in support of a resolution to the governor of NC asking for local control in opening out county up from the Corona Virus.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have been in some form of emergency services since 1984. As a firefighter first and later a paramedic. Currently I am in the insurance industry. I have been in countless homes during emergencies and during non-emergencies. My entire adult life has been helping people or speaking up for them when they couldn't speak for themselves. I feel that as a Representative in the NC House I could continue to speak for the people of District 118 and the whole state. My goal is to be a voice for the people.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
no
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am by no means a perfect man however I strive daily to be a fair man. I also strive daily to follow what is right in God's Word. The people's rights given in the Constitution should be protected at all costs. If we give up any of our rights to any group of people for any reason we will slowly give up all of our rights.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Disagree
Parents should have the right to know what schools are teaching their children about sex and LGBT issues and should have the right to opt their children out of any instruction to which they object.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian of the Baptist faith. I grew up in a Freewill Baptist church and currently attend a Southern Baptist church. I have worked with teenagers for over 20 years. Currently I am not called to work with teenagers. In my 46 years as a christian I have fallen short many times of what God expects of me and realize everyone has the same burden. I strive daily to follow what God asks of me and can only account for myself. I am thankful my parents took me to church however more importantly they taught me Christian values by setting the example daily. I strive to always make decisions based on my religious belief but more importantly in what is Biblical.
