Mark Perea in 2016 MT Governor's race

On Abortion: Enforce ban on abortion services, except maybe for rape

Perea, a Catholic, does want the government to enforce a ban on abortion services. "On this issue I don't come from a religious perspective, I come from a constitutional perspective that every human being has a right to life," he said. For Perea, life begins at conception.

Perea said he does struggle with the position when the Chronicle asked about abortions in cases of rape or when carrying the child to birth jeopardized the mother's safety.

Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2015

On Civil Rights: Gay people are just like anybody else

When asked for his opinion of the Libertarian Party in Montana, Perea said he agreed with them on many issues, including gay marriage "I don't want there to be a Libertarian Party. I want the Republican Party to be about freedom," he said. "I think the Republican Party is not supposed to be about big government and government control. I've been around a lot of gay people in my life. They're just like anybody else," Perea said. Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2015

On Education: Allot vouchers based on what we spend now per child

Perea, who has no children, is an advocate of school choice vouchers. "I want parents to have the choice of how they educate their kids," he said. "What I think would be perfectly equitable is each individual child having an allotment based on what we spend on each child now in public schools." Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2015

On Principles & Values: Americans lose liberty at hands of federal government

In one word, Perea's campaign message is liberty. In his eyes, Americans are losing their liberty at the hands of the federal government. And he does not think much of Congress, including the Republican caucus. "I think it's the state's responsibility to pick up the mantle of freedom and fight and make sure the federal government stays within its bounds," Perea said. "Congress has a very low approval rating right now, and I think the reason why is they go up there and forget where they come from." Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2015

On Tax Reform: Replace IRS with flat income tax

Perea sides with Libertarians on taxation and would like to see the Internal Revenue Service abolished to reduce the federal government's power. He advocates a state-based collection of a flat income tax, with an exemption for the poor. "Then guess what, the federal government needs to stay in line or else the state can say you're violating the Constitution, you're violating our rights," Perea said. "Guess what, we're going to withhold our taxes until you straighten yourselves out." Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race Feb 1, 2015

The above quotations are from 2016 Montana Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2016 Montana Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Mark Perea. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Nov 30, 2021