Candidate Directory
Ed Butler
House District41
New
Republican
Rickman
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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.
The State's role is not to create jobs, but to create, encourage, and nurture an environment for small business and industry to create jobs. The State can help to do this by ensuring the lowest corporate and business tax rates, streamlined and or unburden some regulations, well maintained interstate highway system, utility infrastructure, and possibly some tax incentives. If the State will ensure the above things are done well, small business and the private sector will create the jobs and economic growth.
Explain your views regarding the roles state government and parents have in elementary and secondary education.
The State Government should play a very small role in both elementary and secondary education. The parents should play the most significant role in education at any age or grade level. The parents should then be directing the next level of educational government, the local school board. With the parents directions the local school would making decisions for elementary and secondary education. The parents and school board should be in constant communication especially during a the selection of new educational materials. The government closest to the people is the most effective government.
What is one of the most satisfying things you have ever done or accomplished and what made it so satisfying to you?
Most recently I helped organized people locally and worked in conjunction with many others across the State of Tennessee to protect our children in the seventh grade from the blatant Islamic indoctrination. That opened my eyes and lite a fire in me that to take a stand. We were successful in my community to remove the textbook and began to work in surrounding communities with others to do the same for them. Our children are invaluable and we can not allow them to be indoctrinated and deceived into false and harmful religions or other things. They are the future our of State, our Nation and I want to ensure they learn that our nation and all of its states were founded on the biblical principals.
What personal qualities or experiences do you think will best serve you in your role as a state legislator?
I am a Christian, a US Navy veteran, a husband, a father of four children and a small businessman that is determined, self motivated, and hard working. My Christian upbringing and military experience taught me self discipline. I have participated in numerous mission trips in South America and Alaska, visited Israel and Jordan this along with my military experience, years as a small businessman, and dedicated work ethic I can say with absolute certainty I know America and more specifically Tennessee are special. They are worth personal sacrifice to preserve and protect for our children and future generation. I have owned and operated a variety of small businesses which have enabled me to gain experiences in dealing with different government agencies and regulations. Those experiences have equipped me as a future legislator to always strive to support and sponsor legislations that encourages small business growth, that protects conservative values and principals, including marriage of one man and one woman, and the protection of human life.
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?
The Bathroom Bill. It never reached a vote; however I believe that it must be passed in order to protect our children and women. A female's right and or safety should not be endangered to cater to less than 1% of the population. As a father of three young girls it is my duty to do everything I can to protect them.
HB0615 The Bible Bill Although it passed the House and Senate it was vetoed and they didn't have the votes to overcome the veto. The bible is not degraded by making it the state book. I believe it lifts it up. The bible is God's word and it is also based on natural laws, for example the law of sowing and reaping, the natural law of reproduction, a male and a female to produce offspring.
TN House Bill 1418. I know it passed and I was glad to see it because I organized and worked in my community to protect our children from Islamic indoctrination.
