2014 Minnesota 6th Congressional District Voter Guide

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Dorcas Porter
6 years ago
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1 2014 Minnesota 6th Congressional District Voter Guide

2 The Candidates Tom (R), incumbent, ormer Minnesota State Rep. Joe (D), challenger, Mayor of Sartell, MN

3 2014 Minnesota 6th Congressional District Voter Guide What role would religion play in the candidate s decision making in his or her role as a U.S. Representative? Does the candidate support a science based curriculum in public schools and reject the use of public funding of religious schools or religiously-based curriculums? Does the candidate support the use of public funding for religiously-affiliated organizations such as faith-based initiatives, to provide services? Does the candidate support social policies that do not discriminate based on religion, such as marriage equality, and non-discrimination in adoption policies, the military and hiring practices at faith based organizations receiving public funds? Does the candidate believe government sanctioned religious symbolism is appropriate? (Examples including prayer in legislative sessions and public schools, religious symbols on government property.) Does the candidate support scientifically based regulations including science surrounding reproduction, climate change, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning, and reject abstinence-only sex education? INAL SCORE Key: Candidate s remarks and/or actions toward the Secular Coalition s stances have been: A: Generally or consistently positive. B: Neutral or occasionally positive. C: Mixed, with positive and negative responses. : Generally or consistently hostile or negative. : At the time of publication, the Secular Coalition for America was unable to verify the candidate s position or did not have enough information to rate the candidate. The above chart is based on the topics and individual public candidate responses in the following sections.

4 Individual Candidate Responses What role would religion play in the candidate s decision making in his or her role as a U.S. Representative? Does the candidate support a science based curriculum in public schools and reject the use of public funding of religious schools or religiously-based curriculums? On the Minnesota State Legislative Election 2008 Political Courage Test, indicated that he supports Allowing parents to use vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school. 1 Does the candidate support the use of public funding for religiously-affiliated organizations such as faith-based initiatives, to provide services? 1 Tom s Minnesota State Legislative Election 2008 Political Courage Test, Project Vote Smart Website. Accessed on Aug 2,

5 Does the candidate support social policies that do not discriminate based on religion, such as marriage equality, and non-discrimination in adoption policies, the military and hiring practices at faith based organizations receiving public funds? introduced a constitutional amendment to the Minnesota State Legislature defining marriage as between one man and one woman. 2 Does the candidate believe government sanctioned religious symbolism is appropriate? (Examples including prayer in legislative sessions and public schools, religious symbols on government property.) 2 Bill H 1847, introduced on Mar 8,

6 Does the candidate support scientifically based regulations including science surrounding reproduction, climate change, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning, and reject abstinence-only sex education? explained his position on abortion as, I strongly believe in the sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death. As a legislator, I have voted 100 percent pro-life and introduced numerous bills and amendments to protect the unborn. As Governor, I will continue to support the rights of the unborn, the elderly and the infirm. 3 In 2010 he was rated 0% by NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota, indicating an anti-choice stance. 4 has stated that he is anti-abortion. 5 Methodology Candidates were graded only on questions for which the Secular Coalition was able to identify the candidates' position either through statements or previous actions. or each response, the candidates were given a grade of A, B, C or. An "A" grade earned the candidate 3 points, "B" earned 2 points, "C" earned 1 point and an earned 0 points. An average of the candidates' grades for each question were averaged for each section. Grades of "" indicate that the Secular Coalition was unable to identify the candidate's position on the given topic. The section averages were then averaged for the total score. grades were not factored into the candidate's score. Averages were compiled on the following scale: A = B = C = = Tom 's stance on abortion, the right to life, Pro-life news and views from Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. MCCL Blog. Accessed Sep 19, Tom s Ratings and Endorsements, Project Vote Smart Website. Accessed on Aug 2, gets DL endorsement in 6th District, Mark Sommerhauser. SC Times, May 3, (

The Secular Coalition for America is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization whose purpose is to amplify the diverse and growing voice of the nontheistic community in the United States.

7 The Secular Coalition for America is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization whose purpose is to amplify the diverse and growing voice of the nontheistic community in the United States. We are located in Washington, D.C. for ready access to government, activist partners and the media. Our staff lobbies U.S. Congress on issues of special concern to our constituency. Our member organizations are established 501(c)(3) nonprofits who serve atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers and other nontheistic Americans. Their purpose in founding the coalition was to formalize a cooperative structure for visible, unified activism to improve the civic situation of citizens with a naturalistic worldview. A number of additional organizations have endorsed our mission statement. Member Organizations American Atheists American Ethical Union American Humanist Association Atheist Alliance of America Black Nonbelievers Camp Quest Council for Secular Humanism reethought Society reedom from Religion oundation Hispanic American reethinkers Humanist Community at Harvard Institute for Humanist Studies Military Association of Atheists and reethinkers Recovering from Religion Richard Dawkins oundation for Reason and Science (US) Secular Student Alliance Society for Humanistic Judaism The UU Humanists

2014 Ohio 5th District Congressional Voter Guide

2014 Ohio 5th District Congressional Voter Guide The Candidates Representative Bob (R), incumbent Pastor Robert ry (D), challenger 2014 Ohio 5th District Congressional Voter Guide ry What role would religion