Candidate Directory
Mike Sparks
House District49
Incumbent
Republican
Smyrna
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Candidate is running in a contested General Election.
SURVEY QUESTIONS
Would you support or oppose legislation that would prohibit abortion except when necessary to prevent the death of the mother?
Support
Would you support or oppose legislation that would make sexual orientation a new protected class under Tennessee’s civil rights laws?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose legislation that would make gender identity/expression a new protected class under Tennessee’s civil rights laws?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose a bill to amend Tennessee’s marriage statute to expressly authorize the issuance of marriage licenses to two people of the same sex?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose legislation that would establish a $15 per hour minimum wage in Tennessee?
Oppose
Do you support or oppose the proposition that a person should be allowed by law to use the bathroom or locker room that corresponds to the gender they identify with?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose a law creating the office of Solicitor General, a lawyer to serve as the state’s advocate in the court systems, to be appointed by the General Assembly?
Support
Do you support or oppose the U.S. Department of Justice redefining the word “sex” to also include gender identity for purposes of Title VII and Title IX?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose legislation, like Insure Tennessee, that would expand Medicaid coverage in TN beyond the Medicaid eligible population?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose legislation that would prohibit state courts or any local government from ordering a privately owned business to participate in activities associated with solemnization or celebration of a marriage through the provision of goods or services if participating would violate their beliefs regarding the nature of marriage?
Support
Do you support or oppose the legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose legislation to award all of Tennessee’s Electors in a presidential election to the Party of the candidate who wins the national popular vote?
Oppose
Do you support or oppose the legalization of horse racing tracks in Tennessee at which bets can be placed on races?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose a nominee to the TN Supreme Court if there is credible evidence that the nominee believes the state or federal constitution should be viewed or interpreted as a “living” document?
Oppose
ESSAY QUESTIONS
Explain your view of state government’s role in relation to economic growth and/or job creation.
We should enact policies that support the free market and not create barriers to start, operate and own a business. As a business owner I have seen government work against small business owners, especially at the local level, from higher taxes, more fees, more regulations and often an attitude of complacency. I have see McDonalds customer service much better than government probably in almost all cases. Ronald Reagan once stated, "Government is not the solution ot our problems, government is the problem."
Explain your views regarding the roles state government and parents have in elementary and secondary education.
Parents should be more involved in their children's education. I hear many stories from teachers that their students come to school unprepared and some unruly. We cannot expect teachers to raise our children. The fatherless rate has grown and in the black community as high as 70%. I fully support home schooling as well as school choice. We have to do more to not only encourage parents to be more involved in their children's education, but instill values, discipline, manners and respect for authority.
What is one of the most satisfying things you have ever done or accomplished and what made it so satisfying to you?
I have been married over 27 years, I met my wife when she was 15 and I was 19, the scoffers said we would never make it (don't you like scoffers-lol). As a young man I recall praying and asking the good Lord to bring good Godly woman into my life and he did. The satisfaction of proving the scoffers wrong for one, but to know that I can find solutions to the problems I have faced as both a husband and father.
What personal qualities or experiences do you think will best serve you in your role as a state legislator?
The ability to listen to all sides, from Democrats, Republicans, Independents, black, white or Hispanic, rich and poor. My background as a business owner and specifically a car dealer has enabled me to "put a deal together" as well as find solutions to their problems. My experience is rather unique, unlike many members of the general assembly I wasn't raised with a silver spoon, my father wasn't an attorney and growing up not having as much I was on the reduced lunch program when not many were on it)as others has allowed me to try to help those that need help the most without government giving out handouts. We were taught at a young age that if you wanted something you had to earn it.
What bill passed in the last General Assembly that you would have voted against and why, or what bill did not pass in the last General Assembly that you wish had passed and why?
One of my first bills I introduced was House Bill 1968 which would of frozen the pay increases of top County officials ranging from the County Mayor, Sheriff, Trustee, Property Assessor and more. While I served on the Rutherford County Commission I would often see top officials receive these pay raises and would argue against them, the Mayor would blame it on the state of Tennessee, so I started asking questions. I thought it was very sad that I had to argue strongly to just get a quarter cent pay raise for the lowest employees, specifically those that work at the landfill and our county's convenience centers. As Vice Chairman of Local Government Committee, I often speak against "unfunded mandates." Ironically, the bill was an unfunded mandate which bypassed the county commission's authority and no one would ever know about the pay raises. The bill would of saved the taxpayers over $2,600,000 the first year and almost $30 million over a 10 year period. The Legislature created an "unfunded mandate," a few years back in which these "public servants" I might add, many of whom are making over $100,000 in a government service position, yet five lobbyist worked against me to kill the bill. The sad fact is that the lobbyist who worked against the bill and the savings to taxpayers were paid for by the taxpayers, although I didn't receive any support for the bill's passage it was fulfilling to know that I was right and others folded like a cardboard box and were afraid to speak against their Mayor, Sheriff and others. Clint Eastwood stated, "Even people on the liberal side are starting to worry about going off a fiscal cliff." People wonder why our Country is bankrupt, here is just one sad example.
