E-mail interview series:
2014 House and Senate races with OnTheIssues.org

EXPLANATORY NOTE by OnTheIssues.org:

We at OnTheIssues.org ask all candidates for answers to our 20 questions in our VoteMatch quiz. The following Senate candidates have responded in detail. Responding to press inquiries like ours shows a level of openness that augurs well for the candidate in office, regardless of party affiliation.

Almost always, the incumbent ignores our requests, indicating that they don't want their constituents to know their issue stances. We track their voting records accordingly, and infer their VoteMatch responses based on those. We also collect up public statements and book excerpts, and include those in our VoteMatch quiz results as well.

Below are the responses from this year's candidates.

-- Jesse Gordon, jesse@OnTheIssues.org

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Amanda Swafford: Government out of individual medical decisions.     Andrew Hunt: Abortion is a woman's right, with limits.     Connie Johnson: Respect life, but support woman's right to choose.     Nathan LaFrance: Restrictions on legalized abortion.     Emily Sanchez: Supports abortion as a woman's right.     Randall Batson: Support abortion as a woman's right.     Gordon Howie: Life is a child's right; this led me into politics.     Doug Butzier: Leave abortion decisions to the states.     John Buckley: Protections of law apply to the unborn child.     Mark Swaney: Agrees with and supports Roe v. Wade.     Heather Johnson: Abortion is social issue, not government issue.     Frank Gilbert: Life begins at conception.     Sean Haugh: Supports abortion rights.     Jeff Bell: Science demonstrates that the unborn are human.     Jeff Bell: Ban abortion after 20 weeks, or for sex selection.     Sam Clovis: Pro-life from conception to natural, dignified death.     Matthew Hess: Supports right to abortion although personally opposed.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly opposes abortion.     Karen Testerman: Right to life is a fundamental principle.     Rob Maness: 100% pro-life.     Sharon Hansen: Personally opposes abortion, but decision up to each woman.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Strongly pro-life.     Scott Keller: Find non-life-ending options for ending a pregnancy.     Scott Keller: It's not a woman's choice whether baby lives or dies.     Scott Keller: The baby's body is not the woman's body; provide new options.

Budget & Economy     Amanda Swafford: Opposes federal stimulus.     Connie Johnson: The market won't lead recovery; stimulus is needed.     Nathan LaFrance: Strongly opposes federal stimulus.     Emily Sanchez: Federal stimulus as better than market-led recovery.     Randall Batson: Market-led recovery instead of federal stimulus.     Gordon Howie: Market should be primary vehicle for economic recovery.     Doug Butzier: Market-led recovery better than federal stimulus.     John Buckley: Government "stimulus" is illusory.     Mark Swaney: Stimulus was ok; but economic regulation is better.     Heather Johnson: Meet community needs locally, instead of federal stimulus.     Frank Gilbert: Stimulus often makes things worse.     Sean Haugh: Opposes stimulus funding.     Jeff Bell: Market-led recovery instead of stimulus.     Sam Clovis: No government interference in markets; no stimulus.     Matthew Hess: No stimulus requiring printing money; let companies go broke.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly opposes federal budget stimulus.     Karen Testerman: Market-led recovery better than stimulus.     Rob Maness: Free market is always better than federal stimulus.     Sharon Hansen: Bailouts and stimulus slowed Great Recession recovery.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Federal stimulus did not enhance economic growth.     Scott Keller: End the reign of the banker; test a moneyless model.     Scott Keller: Untie hands of non-profits & alternative model businesses.

Civil Rights     Amanda Swafford: Government out of demographic business decisions.     Amanda Swafford: Supports same-sex marriage.     Connie Johnson: Supports same-sex marriage.     Nathan LaFrance: Supports same-sex marriage.     Emily Sanchez: Supports affirmative action.     Emily Sanchez: Supports same-sex marriage.     Randall Batson: Opposes affirmative action.     Randall Batson: Indifferent to same-sex marriage.     Gordon Howie: Government imposed quotas are wrong.     Gordon Howie: Marriage is a religious institution between a man & a woman.     Doug Butzier: Affirmative action is government interference in marketplace.     Doug Butzier: Declaration's "All men are created equal" applies to gays.     John Buckley: Marriage equality for same-gender couples.     Mark Swaney: I support affirmative action, for past & future.     Mark Swaney: Comfortable with same-sex marriage.     Heather Johnson: Let the market change bigots, not affirmative action.     Heather Johnson: Marriage is a private matter, same-sex or not.     Frank Gilbert: Best way to end discrimination is to stop discriminating.     Frank Gilbert: Comfortable with gay marriage.     Sean Haugh: Opposes affirmative action.     Sean Haugh: Supports gay marriage.     Jeff Bell: I do not support affirmative action.     Jeff Bell: Government should uphold one-man-one-woman marriage.     Sam Clovis: Affirmative Action is insulting and racist.     Sam Clovis: Marriage should be between a man and a woman.     Matthew Hess: Government out of private companies: no affirmative action.     Matthew Hess: No government involvement in marriage.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly opposes affirmative action.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly opposes same-sex marriage.     Karen Testerman: Federal government should not establish quotas.     Karen Testerman: Marriage is between one man and one woman.     Rob Maness: Opposes affirmative action.     Rob Maness: I believe in natural marriage.     Sharon Hansen: Don't force hiring based on sex and race.     Sharon Hansen: Homosexuals living as married is none of my business.     Sharon Hansen: Any couple can marry in the eyes of God; forget licenses.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Opposes affirmative action.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Comfortable with same-sex marriage.     Jim Rubens: Endorsed ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.     Scott Keller: The term "minority" should never be needed.     Scott Keller: No same-sex adoption; don't condone homosexual behavior.     Scott Keller: Other approach to hiring more women & minorities.     Scott Keller: Favors same-sex domestic partnership benefits.

Corporations     Andrew Hunt: Let organizations decide whether to include God.     Connie Johnson: Companies should diversify their staffing.     Nathan LaFrance: Businesses have the right to hire the best candidates.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Support tax incentives to job creators, based on hiring.     Scott Keller: Remove corporate personhood.

Crime     Amanda Swafford: Stricter punishment reduces crime.     Andrew Hunt: Stricter punishment doesn't reduce crime.     Connie Johnson: Stricter punishment only leads to higher costs.     Nathan LaFrance: Stricter punishment reduces crime.     Emily Sanchez: Opposes stricter punishment to reduce crime.     Randall Batson: Strongly opposes stricter punishment to reduce crime.     Gordon Howie: Stricter punishment reduces crime.     Doug Butzier: Stricter punishment doesn't reduce crime.     John Buckley: Neutral on whether stricter enforcement is effective.     Mark Swaney: For most types of crime, we are over-punishing people.     Heather Johnson: Punishing victimless crimes hurts poor but profits prisons.     Frank Gilbert: Crimes of passion are not deterred by sentencing.     Sean Haugh: Opposes stricter punishment to reduce crime.     Jeff Bell: Stricter punishment reduces crime.     Sam Clovis: Stricter enforcement of the law reduces crime.     Matthew Hess: Punish crimes with victims; but not victimless crimes.     Tom Hoefling: Supports Stricter punishment to reduce crime.     Karen Testerman: The punishment should fit the crime.     Rob Maness: Stricter punishment reduces crime.     Sharon Hansen: I don't know that stricter punishment reduces crime.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Opposes stricter punishment.     Scott Keller: Transform prisons so they help people reform.     Scott Keller: Strongly oppose mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws.

Drugs     Amanda Swafford: Legalize marijuana.     Andrew Hunt: See how things go in other states before GA marijuana law.     Connie Johnson: Let state voters decide about pot legalization.     Nathan LaFrance: Supports legalizing marijuana.     Emily Sanchez: Legalize marijuana.     Randall Batson: Strongly supports legalizing marijuana.     Gordon Howie: Never legalize marijuana, except supervised medical use.     Doug Butzier: Legalize marijuana & all drugs; $80B wasted on War on Drugs.     John Buckley: Supports the legalization of marijuana.     Mark Swaney: Long past time to legalize marijuana.     Heather Johnson: Legalize or decriminalize marijuana.     Frank Gilbert: Marijuana should not be criminalized.     Sean Haugh: Supports legalizing marijuana.     Jeff Bell: Decriminalizing pot will only produce more pot users.     Sam Clovis: Leave marijuana legalization to the states.     Matthew Hess: No marijuana Prohibition.     Tom Hoefling: Never legalize marijuana.     Karen Testerman: Leave marijuana legalization to the states.     Rob Maness: Never legalize marijuana.     Sharon Hansen: Marijuana should be legalized like alcohol.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Medical marijuana is a necessity for many.     Jim Rubens: Study marijuana harmfulness; then let states regulate it.     Scott Keller: No victim, no crime: Legalize marijuana.     Scott Keller: Strongly opposes enforce laws against immoral drug use.

Education     Amanda Swafford: Supports parents choosing schools via vouchers.     Andrew Hunt: Supports vouchers or educational savings accounts.     Connie Johnson: Recognize critical importance of public education.     Nathan LaFrance: Supports parents choosing schools via vouchers.     Emily Sanchez: Supports parents choosing schools via vouchers.     Randall Batson: Strongly supports parents choosing schools via vouchers.     Gordon Howie: Freedom to choose will improve quality.     Doug Butzier: Vouchers for school choice are a good start.     John Buckley: Federal government has no Constitutional role in education.     Mark Swaney: Private education should not compete with public schools.     Heather Johnson: Right to education includes school choice.     Frank Gilbert: Parents deserve the right to choose.     Sean Haugh: Supports state-level vouchers with no federal involvement.     Jeff Bell: Expand school choice via Education Savings Accounts.     Jeff Bell: I support prayer in schools.     Sam Clovis: Supports vouchers, charters, and funds following students.     Matthew Hess: Vouchers and competition improve public schools.     Tom Hoefling: Getting government out of education is the ultimate goal.     Karen Testerman: Let parents choose; monies should follow the student.     Rob Maness: Supports vouchers for school choice.     Sharon Hansen: Vouchers for school choice.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Vouchers for school choice.     Scott Keller: Education, not reducation: help critical thinking.     Scott Keller: Strongly opposes teacher-led prayer in public schools.     Scott Keller: Communitize instead of government control or privatization.

Energy & Oil     Amanda Swafford: No government picking winners and losers.     Andrew Hunt: Opposes prioritizing green energy.     Connie Johnson: Strongly support prioritizing green energy.     Nathan LaFrance: Don't pick "winners" and "losers" in our economy.     Emily Sanchez: Supports prioritizing green energy.     Randall Batson: Strongly opposes prioritizing green energy.     Gordon Howie: Opposes prioritizing green energy.     Doug Butzier: Prioritizing green energy is just tax favors.     John Buckley: Let market decide about green energy.     Mark Swaney: Prioritize green energy.     Heather Johnson: Push green living instead of tax breaks for SUVs & Big Oil.     Frank Gilbert: Oppose government prioritization of green energy.     Sean Haugh: No federal funds for green energy.     Jeff Bell: End $24 billion in green energy subsidies.     Sam Clovis: All energy sources must be developed within market viability.     Matthew Hess: No subsidies for green energy, nor for any energy sector.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly opposes prioritizing green energy.     Karen Testerman: Federal Government should not pick winners or losers.     Rob Maness: All-of-the-above approach to energy policy.     Sharon Hansen: Green energy is ok, as long as it's not subsidized.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Oppose prioritizing green energy.     Jim Rubens: Supports revenue neutral carbon tax.     Scott Keller: Sever our ties to oil; advance solar technology.     Scott Keller: Strongly favors replacing coal & oil with alternatives.

Environment     Amanda Swafford: Rights to clean air & water should be court-enforceable.     Andrew Hunt: Human needs over animal rights.     Connie Johnson: Strongly oppose horse slaughter.     Nathan LaFrance: Supports rights to clean air and water.     Emily Sanchez: Federal regulation for clean air and water.     Randall Batson: Indifferent to whether there's a 'right' against pollution.     Gordon Howie: Human needs are always paramount.     Doug Butzier: Clean air and water are in the public domain.     John Buckley: People should be able to legally enforce clean air & water.     Chad Taylor: Good farmers use best practices, as stewards of the land.     Mark Swaney: Every human being has a right to clean air and water.     Heather Johnson: Those who harm the environment should pay for cleanup.     Frank Gilbert: Courts are betetr protectors of environment than regulators.     Sean Haugh: Human needs & animal rights are not necessarily in conflict.     Jeff Bell: Supports human needs over animal rights.     Sam Clovis: Balance animal rights with human needs.     Matthew Hess: Animal rights unequal to human rights.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly supports human needs over animal rights.     Karen Testerman: Reasonable humane treatment of animals is proper.     Rob Maness: Human needs over animal rights.     Sharon Hansen: God gave man dominion over the animals.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Human needs over animal rights.     Scott Keller: We are the stewards of this planet.     Scott Keller: No $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program.     Scott Keller: Stop the profit-driven destruction of the planet.

Families & Children     Scott Keller: Money should not be a factor in a child's life, period.

Foreign Policy     Amanda Swafford: Maintain U.S. sovereignty from the U.N.     Andrew Hunt: Maintain U.S. sovereignty from the U.N.     Connie Johnson: Secret trade agreements threaten US; UN does not.     Nathan LaFrance: Strongly supports maintaining U.S. sovereignty from the U.N.     Emily Sanchez: Supports maintaining U.S. sovereignty from the U.N.     Randall Batson: Strongly supports maintaining U.S. sovereignty from the U.N.     Gordon Howie: Maintain US sovereignty from UN.     Doug Butzier: Dialogue via UN ok, but no US troops under UN control.     John Buckley: The United Nations is a joke.     Chad Taylor: Diplomatic solutions are always preferable.     Mark Swaney: US should be more active in the UN.     Heather Johnson: The U.S. is not the U.N. nor the world police.     Frank Gilbert: US Constitution offers greater protection than UN.     Sean Haugh: Supports maintaining US sovereignty from UN.     Jeff Bell: Maintain US sovereignty from UN.     Sam Clovis: National sovereignty maintains national identity.     Matthew Hess: Keep US sovereign from UN, and from other nations too.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly supports US sovereignty from UN.     Karen Testerman: Maintain US sovereignty from UN.     Rob Maness: Maintain US sovereignty from UN.     Sharon Hansen: Maintain US sovereignty from UN.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Maintain US sovereignty from UN.     Jim Rubens: Maintain US sovereignty from UN.     Scott Keller: Be helpers, not conquerors.

Free Trade     Amanda Swafford: Supports expanding free trade.     Andrew Hunt: Expand free trade on a limited basis.     Connie Johnson: Expand free trade, but with labor & environment protections.     Nathan LaFrance: Supports expanding free trade.     Emily Sanchez: Opposes expanding free trade.     Randall Batson: Strongly supports expanding free trade.     Gordon Howie: Support & expand free trade.     Doug Butzier: Free trade is the very foundation of prosperity.     John Buckley: Expand free trade.     Chad Taylor: Trade has globalized US, but also exports jobs.     Mark Swaney: Include fair wage, unions & environment in trade agreements.     Heather Johnson: Free markets are the fairest form of voluntary exchange.     Frank Gilbert: Open our economy to other free markets.     Sean Haugh: Supports real free trade, not NAFTA and CAFTA.     Jeff Bell: Support & expand free trade.     Sam Clovis: Free markets take care of themselves.     Matthew Hess: Free & open trade is the key to economic success.     Tom Hoefling: Free trade while putting American interests first.     Karen Testerman: Trade should be fair to all.     Rob Maness: Support & expand free trade.     Sharon Hansen: I absolutely support free trade.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Opposes free trade.     Jim Rubens: Expand free trade.     Scott Keller: Eliminate ALL barriers to free trade.     Scott Keller: Strongly supports expanding free trade.

Government Reform     Amanda Swafford: Voting rights stance depends on proposals.     Andrew Hunt: Stricter limits on political campaign funds.     Connie Johnson: Stricter limits on political campaign funds.     Nathan LaFrance: Protect the integrity of our election system.     Emily Sanchez: Opposes stricter enforcement of voting rights.     Randall Batson: Indifferent to stricter enforcement of the right to vote.     Gordon Howie: Freely give to political campaigns, but with full disclosure.     Doug Butzier: Make sure that votes are legal, & that people vote only once.     John Buckley: Require photo identification for voting.     Mark Swaney: Make it easier to vote; voter ID laws make it harder.     Heather Johnson: End need for big money; open up elections to third parties.     Frank Gilbert: Voting should not be limited by the government.     Sean Haugh: Opposes stricter limits on political campaign funds.     Jeff Bell: Higher campaign contributions will help non-incumbents.     Don Berwick: Fight overturn or repeal Citizens United.     Sam Clovis: Money is speech; no campaign finance limitations.     Matthew Hess: Divest money from political campaigns; no "buying office".     Tom Hoefling: Limits on campaign funds violate the First Amendment.     Karen Testerman: Transparency at all levels for campaign funds.     Rob Maness: Opposes stricter limits on political campaign funds.     Sharon Hansen: Stricter limits on political campaign funds.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Stricter limits on political campaign funds.     Jim Rubens: Public elections financing with restricted campaign spending.     Scott Keller: Round-robin voting, working up from local to national.     Scott Keller: Eliminate or reduce "retirement pay" for congressmen.     Scott Keller: End government secrecy; restore openness of information.     Scott Keller: Grant Washington DC an Electoral vote & vote in Congress.     Scott Keller: Strongly favors stricter limits on political campaign funds.

Gun Control     Amanda Swafford: Absolute right to gun ownership.     Andrew Hunt: Absolute right to gun ownership.     Connie Johnson: Support 2nd amendment, but deal with unabated gun violence.     Nathan LaFrance: Strongly supports right to gun ownership.     Emily Sanchez: Opposes an absolute right to gun ownership.     Randall Batson: Strongly supports an absolute right to gun ownership.     Gordon Howie: Absolute right to gun ownership.     Doug Butzier: Absolute right to gun ownership.     John Buckley: Supports right to gun ownership.     Mark Swaney: Regulate 2nd Amendment rights for the good of society.     Heather Johnson: Even non-violent MLK kept guns at home for self-defense.     Heather Johnson: Right to self-defense and right to rebel.     Frank Gilbert: The Second Amendment is clear.     Sean Haugh: Supports absolute right to gun ownership.     Jeff Bell: Gun violence rooted in social breakdown, not gun ownership.     Don Berwick: Weapons of war have no place on our streets.     Sam Clovis: The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.     Matthew Hess: Right of self-defense is a natural right.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly supports gun rights.     Karen Testerman: Right of the people to keep and bear arms.     Rob Maness: Absolute right to gun ownership.     Sharon Hansen: I am 100% pro second amendment.     Sharon Hansen: Gun violence increases proportionate to level of gun control.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Supports "open carry" and NRA.     Scott Keller: 2nd Amendment deters tyranny; not just self-defense.     Scott Keller: Favors absolute right to gun ownership.

Health Care     Amanda Swafford: Government out of individual healthcare decisions.     Andrew Hunt: Each organization can expand ObamaCare or not.     Connie Johnson: Expand ObamaCare; finish what we began.     Nathan LaFrance: Completely repeal ObamaCare.     Emily Sanchez: Supports expanding ObamaCare.     Randall Batson: Strongly opposes expanding ObamaCare.     Gordon Howie: ObamaCare degrades system's effectiveness & hurts liberties.     Doug Butzier: Opposes ObamaCare.     John Buckley: Repeal ObamaCare.     Mark Swaney: ObamaCare is ok, but national health insurance is better.     Heather Johnson: MnCare was better than ObamaCare.     Frank Gilbert: Providing insurance not a proper function of government.     Sean Haugh: Opposes expanding ObamaCare.     Jeff Bell: Replace ObamaCare with tax credits & special coverage.     Sam Clovis: Repeal ObamaCare.     Matthew Hess: ObamaCare is unconstitutional.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly opposes ObamaCare.     Karen Testerman: ObamaCare should not require purchasing specific items.     Rob Maness: Strongly opposes ObamaCare.     Sharon Hansen: ObamaCare is a miserable failure.     Sharon Hansen: I'd rather die than sign up for ObamaCare.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Revoke and remove socialized medicine.     Scott Keller: Health care should be free for everyone and focus on HEALTH.     Scott Keller: Make society's best interest to help people be healthy.

Homeland Security     Amanda Swafford: Opposes expanding the armed forces.     Andrew Hunt: Opposes expanding the military.     Connie Johnson: We already have the largest military on Earth.     Nathan LaFrance: Opposes expanding the armed forces.     Emily Sanchez: Opposes expanding the armed forces.     Randall Batson: Strongly opposes expanding the armed forces.     Gordon Howie: Expand the military.     Doug Butzier: Stop expanding the military.     John Buckley: Supports smaller & less expensive military.     Mark Swaney: We spend way too much on the military.     Heather Johnson: Hold to a non-aggression, non-interventionist ideal.     Frank Gilbert: We do not need a standing army.     Sean Haugh: Opposes expanding the military.     Jeff Bell: Expand the military.     Sam Clovis: Maintain high levels of readiness.     Matthew Hess: Our military budget is too large.     Tom Hoefling: Expand the military as needed to protect sovereignty.     Karen Testerman: Our military should be prepared, ready and able.     Rob Maness: Maintain military with proper funding, training & materiel.     Sharon Hansen: We are spied upon & watched; we are not free anymore.     Sharon Hansen: Non-veteran president should yield commander-in-chief role.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Peace through strength.     Jim Rubens: Eliminate unneeded defense spending; shrink military budget.     Scott Keller: Shift military from oil police to homeland defenders.     Scott Keller: Shift focus away from conquest.     Scott Keller: Wiretapping is a huge invasion of privacy.

Immigration     Amanda Swafford: Earned citizenship after fines & wait times.     Andrew Hunt: Pathway to citizenship on a limited basis.     Connie Johnson: Supports illegal immigrants earning citizenship.     Nathan LaFrance: Supports illegal immigrants earning citizenship.     Emily Sanchez: Supports illegal immigrants earning citizenship.     Randall Batson: Supports illegal immigrants earning citizenship.     Gordon Howie: No pathway to citizenship until border is secure.     Doug Butzier: Turn illegal aliens into taxpayers by legalizing them.     John Buckley: Pathway to residency but only after welfare is reformed.     Mark Swaney: Legalize those who are working & have not committed crimes.     Heather Johnson: Apply immigration rules consistently.     Frank Gilbert: Aliens, if not criminals, should get path to citizenship.     Sean Haugh: Supports pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.     Jeff Bell: Support pathway to citizenship, plus guest workers.     Don Berwick: Comprehensive reform with pathway to citizenship.     Sam Clovis: No amnesty; but allow temporary work permits.     Matthew Hess: Simplify citizenship; don't pursue illegal aliens.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly opposes pathway to citizenship.     Karen Testerman: Illegal immigrants breaking the law should not be rewarded.     Rob Maness: No pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.     Sharon Hansen: Illegal aliens are foreign invaders.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Yes, border security, but it's not black-and-white.     Jim Rubens: No comprehensive immigration reform.     Scott Keller: Make immigration more welcoming and helpful.     Scott Keller: Treat immigrants like people regardless of where born.     Scott Keller: Train immigrants coming to America to speak English fluently.     Scott Keller: No more lottery; just invite everyone who wants to come.     Scott Keller: Hard stance on companies hiring illegal immigrants.     Scott Keller: Strongly supports illegal immigrants earning citizenship.

Jobs     John Buckley: No affirmative action; hire based on merit alone.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Opposes minimum wage increase & any government mandated wage.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Opposes "Card Check": union votes should be secret.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Supports Right-to-Work: no requirements to join unions.     Scott Keller: Job = human hamster wheel.

Principles & Values     Amanda Swafford: No government endorsement nor exclusion of any religion.     Connie Johnson: God is everywhere regardless of governmental policies.     Nathan LaFrance: No need to ban religion from all public domains.     Emily Sanchez: Opposes keeping God in the public sphere.     Randall Batson: Supports keeping God in the public sphere.     Gordon Howie: Strongly supports keeping God in the public sphere.     Doug Butzier: Oppose limits on prayer in public places.     John Buckley: Smaller state means less separation-of-church issue.     Chad Taylor: Separation of church and state isn't a relevant issue.     Mark Swaney: Religion has no place in government.     Heather Johnson: Support separation of church and state.     Frank Gilbert: Keep God, and all religion, in the public sphere.     Sean Haugh: Neutral on role of God in the public sphere.     Don Berwick: I believe steadfastly in the separation of church and state.     Sam Clovis: Separate church & state, but keep God in public square.     Matthew Hess: Keep government separate from religion.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly supports keeping God in the public sphere.     Karen Testerman: Our inalienable rights come from our Creator.     Rob Maness: Keep God in the public sphere.     Sharon Hansen: Vote based on majority views of constituents.     Sharon Hansen: If "God" in public places offends you, go elsewhere.     Sharon Hansen: God was given great importance by our founding fathers.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Keep God in the public sphere.     Scott Keller: Seek the truth; do what works; don't do what doesn't work.     Scott Keller: Society's system of systems is fundamentally flawed.

Social Security     Amanda Swafford: Supports privatizing Social Security.     Andrew Hunt: Reduce government, including Social Security.     Connie Johnson: Privatization would take money from hard working people.     Nathan LaFrance: Phase out social security program; save for own retirement.     Emily Sanchez: Opposes privatizing Social Security.     Randall Batson: Strongly supports privatizing Social Security.     Gordon Howie: Expand options to include private protected savings.     Doug Butzier: Privatize the Ponzi scheme in gradual and voluntary manner.     John Buckley: Allow investing retirement dollars in private accounts.     Chad Taylor: No privatization; but we need to discuss reforms.     Mark Swaney: Opposes privatizing Social Security.     Heather Johnson: Privatize program to make up for borrowing & defunding.     Frank Gilbert: Let citizens invest in anything other than a Ponzi scheme.     Sean Haugh: Supports privatizing Social Security.     Jeff Bell: No means testing or other confiscatory schemes.     Jeff Bell: Cut payroll tax rate to reduce baby boom deficit.     Don Berwick: Oppose any efforts to privatize, including chained CPI.     Sam Clovis: Transition Social Security to a private structure.     Matthew Hess: Privatize Social Security; remove limits on IRAs.     Tom Hoefling: Strongly supports privatization.     Karen Testerman: Employee-controlled individual savings accounts.     Rob Maness: Keep Social Security solvent for future generations.     Sharon Hansen: Privatize because government will raid the Trust Fund.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Strongly supports privatization.     Scott Keller: All Social Security money MUST go to Social Security.     Scott Keller: Communitize instead of statism or privatization.

Tax Reform     Amanda Swafford: Opposes higher taxes on the wealthy.     Andrew Hunt: Oppose higher taxes on the wealthy.     Connie Johnson: To whom much is given, much is required.     Nathan LaFrance: Work to reduce taxes for all Americans.     Emily Sanchez: Supports higher taxes on the wealthy.     Randall Batson: Strongly opposes higher taxes on the wealthy.     Gordon Howie: Higher taxes demotivate economic growth.     Doug Butzier: Higher taxes on the wealthy are counterproductive to economy.     John Buckley: Lower taxes for everyone.     Chad Taylor: Simplify tax code, but no FairTax and no national sales tax.     Mark Swaney: Higher taxes on the wealthy, and on wealthy institutions.     Heather Johnson: Flat tax temporarily, until spending is limited.     Frank Gilbert: Taxes should not be a form of punishment.     Sean Haugh: Cut taxes for everybody.     Jeff Bell: America's tax system is outrageously complicated.     Don Berwick: Ask people with higher incomes to pay higher rates.     Sam Clovis: Repeal the 16th Amendment; replace IRS with FairTax.     Matthew Hess: Opposes taxes regardless of income.     Tom Hoefling: Progressive taxation violates "Equal Protection" clause.     Karen Testerman: Redistributing wealth does not produce a robust economy.     Rob Maness: Don't raise taxes on the wealthy.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Strongly supports lower & flatter taxes.     Sharon Hansen: We are paying way too much in taxes.     Sharon Hansen: Our tax percentage only climbs; it never goes in reverse.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: The wealthy generate jobs.     Jim Rubens: Don't raise taxes, but means-test retirement benefits.     Scott Keller: No federal taxation, period.     Scott Keller: Strongly opposes making taxes more progressive.

Technology     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Competitive marketplace on Internet, including data pricing.     Scott Keller: Technology not to be feared but to be controlled & utilized.

War & Peace     Amanda Swafford: Military action against Iran only after specific threat.     Andrew Hunt: Stay out of Iran.     Connie Johnson: Stay out of Iran.     Nathan LaFrance: Strongly supports staying out of Iran.     Emily Sanchez: Supports staying out of Iran.     Randall Batson: Strongly supports staying out of Iran.     Gordon Howie: Stay out of Iran until there are no alternatives.     Doug Butzier: Stay out of Iran & stay out of everywhere.     John Buckley: Stay out or Iran but be a friend of freedom.     Chad Taylor: Sanctions on Iran are working; no further military action.     Chad Taylor: Air patrols on Syria ok; no deeper involvement.     Mark Swaney: Stay out of Iran.     Heather Johnson: No intervention in Iran; we harmed them too much already.     Frank Gilbert: Stay out of Iran, and Syria, and Bhutan...     Sean Haugh: Supports staying out of Iran.     Jeff Bell: Make sure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapons program.     Sam Clovis: Stop Iran's nuclear program now.     Matthew Hess: Stay out of Iran, and stay out of everywhere else.     Tom Hoefling: Intervene in Iran if a threat to national security or allies.     Karen Testerman: Define a clear mission in Iran, and whether it is vital.     Rob Maness: Stay out of Iran.     Sharon Hansen: Stay out of Iran unless Iran attacks us directly.     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Iran is an absolute and real threat.     Jim Rubens: Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.     Scott Keller: Be about peace and the world will follow.     Scott Keller: Strongly favors US out of Iraq & Afghanistan.

Welfare & Poverty     Matt Wiedenhoeft: Limit total welfare amount to avoid permanent recipients.     Scott Keller: Welfare is a very ineffective approach to solving poverty.     Scott Keller: Favors allowing churches to provide welfare services.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Amanda Swafford Libertarian Challenger Georgia Andrew Hunt Georgia Libertarian Governor Challenger Chad Taylor Democrat Challenger Kansas Connie Johnson Oklahoma Democratic candidate for Oklahoma Governor Don Berwick Massachusetts Democratic Gubernatorial Challenger Doug Butzier Libertarian Senate challenger Iowa Emily Sanchez Green Party Senate challenger Texas Frank Gilbert Arkansas Libertarian Gubernatorial Challenger Gordon Howie Independent Senate Challenger South Dakota Heather Johnson Libertarian Challenger Minnesota Jeff Bell Republican Senate challenger New Jersey Jim Rubens Republican Senate Challenger New Hampshire John Buckley Libertarian Senate challenger West Virginia Karen Testerman Republican Challenger New Hampshire Mark Swaney 2014 Green Senate Challenger Arkansas Matt Wiedenhoeft Republican Senate Challenger (withdrawn) Michigan Matthew Hess Colorado Libertarian Challenger Nathan LaFrance Libertarian Senate Challenger Arkansas Randall Batson Libertarian Senate challenger Kansas Rob Maness Republican Challenger Louisiana Sam Clovis Republican Senate Challenger Iowa Scott Keller Independent Challenger Sean Haugh Libertarian Senate challenger North Carolina Sharon Hansen Libertarian Challenger Illinois Tom Hoefling Iowa Republican Challenger