

Karl Gillespie
Republican | North Carolina
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Karl Gillespie
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 120
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Southwestern Community College, Sylva, General, 1982
Franklin High School, Franklin, General, 1980
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Macon County Farm Bureau, President
Southwestern Community College, Board Member
First United Methodist Church, Trustee Chair
NC Cattlemen's Association, Vice President
Macon County Republican Party, Executive Committee
Macon County Planning Board, Chairman
Macon, Jackson, Swain Cattlemen Association, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
County Commissioner, 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
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?
Circumstances when the mothers life will be lost and the child's life is lost.
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.
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.
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?
The First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." To me that is very clear guidance.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
The healthcare system must become more efficient, both the delivery of healthcare and payment. We need to place an emphasis on intervention and becoming a more health society.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
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.
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.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those that comply with the existing immigration laws.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
National data base that prohibits ownership of guns by anyone with a history of harming themselves or others and risk of violence.
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?
Broadband expansion. Expanded educational opportunities. Affordable healthcare.
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.
All of the Macon County Commissioners meeting are recorded and can be viewed at www.maconnc.org. My stance and positions can be viewed there.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Serving on the Macon County Board of Commissioners and being a small business owner.
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?
My family goes back five generations in the NC House 120th district. I have been in business since 1999 and have worked in the private sector my entire life. I have been involved in production agriculture for many years and have served as a Macon County Commissioner since 2016.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
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 Methodist, born again Christian. I try to maintain a Christian lifestyle, practice what Wesley referred to as "practical divinity".
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