James Burk
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
James Burk (Libertarian Party) ran for election to the Arkansas State Senate to represent District 18. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Burk completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
James Burk earned a bachelor's degree from Harding University in 2004, a graduate degree from West Texas A&M University in 2008, and a Ph.D. from Washington State University in 2012. His career experience includes working as a mathematics professor and online tutoring business owner/operator. Burk also has experience working as a carpenter.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Arkansas State Senate District 18
Incumbent Jonathan Dismang defeated Nicholas Cartwright and James Burk in the general election for Arkansas State Senate District 18 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jonathan Dismang (R) | 80.4 | 21,632 |
 | Nicholas Cartwright (D) | 16.3 | 4,383 | |
 | James Burk (L)  | 3.3 | 882 | |
| Total votes: 26,897 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Nicholas Cartwright advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas State Senate District 18.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jonathan Dismang advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 18.
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Arkansas State Senate District 18
James Burk advanced from the Libertarian convention for Arkansas State Senate District 18 on February 20, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | James Burk (L) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
James Burk completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Burk's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Who am I? I am a typical citizen who is deeply concerned about the direction our elected leaders are leading us to follow. My family ties run back to the foundations of our country. They fought for the cause of Liberty during the Revolution and defended our way of life during World War II.
I am a typical Southern who is firmly ground upon the core principles on which this country that established. I am a conservative, hard-working American who supports the traditional values that made America a City on Hill for all nations to see. I uphold Liberty and freedom. I am a father. I am a son. I am a teacher. I am a servant. My life's ambition is not to be remembered as a man who did extraordinary things but to be remembered as a person who has the heart of Christ. Who am I? I am your neighbor. I am an ordinary citizen. I am you.
- School Choice: Your tax dollars should educate your children at the school of your choice. I support the position that parents should be allowed to choose the schools for their children instead of being mandated by Zip Codes where they should go for an education.
- Covid19 Mandates: The Covid19 mandates, although well-intentioned, caused a riptide of harm that overstepped the bounds of Government. I support that legislation that will ensure that governmental overreach will NEVER again devastate the lives of Arkansans.
- Inflation: Governmental spending at the Federal level is spiraling out of control, which is having an immediate and profound impact on the lives of the working class citizens of Arkansans. Now is the time for us to prepare for the financial storm that is forming on the horizon. I support legislation that follows the core conservative values of a “Government that governs least.” By honoring and allowing small businesses to prosper our state will become a beacon for others to follow.
As a parent, I am concerned about the lowered educational standards lapsing in our country. I plan to strengthen our school system by keeping educational decisions local. School policy and curriculum should be based within their respective communities, it should not be based on political ideologies. I am also deeply passionate about defending your fundamental Rights of Liberty and Justice as chartered under the Declaration of Independence and enshrined in our Constitution. I will stand up against governmental encroachment masquerading under the disguise of dangerous progressive ideologies. The Covid19 mandates, although well-intentioned, caused a riptide of harm that overstepped the bounds of Government. I support that legislation that will ensure that governmental overreach will NEVER again devastate the lives of Arkansans. I support legislation that follows the core conservative values of a “Government that governs least.” Although taxes are a necessary burden to maintain essential services in our society, the time has come for us to use our tax dollars to serve the public's best interest. The time has come for Arkansas to stop penalties on small business owners and install a more equitable Tax Code without burdening our society. Your tax dollars should educate your children at the school of your choice. I support the position that parents should be allowed to choose the schools for their children instead of being mandated by Zip Codes where they should go for an education.
My inspiration for living and interacting with others is rooted in the Ancient Words that led to the greatest movement found in history. A movement of accepting and finding the good in others. My beliefs or governance of Liberty, caring for and overseeing the welfare of others are found in the Scriptures. The Books of Wisdom have directed my life.
Elected officials must be people of integrity, above reproach. They must have the wisdom and the knowledge of being people who are quick to listen and slow to speak. They must be committed to faithfully representing their constituents and upholding the oath of their offices even when it is unpopular.
During my tenure as a professor of mathematics, I have learned how to listen with a sound mind while looking over all the arguments to discover Truth. Mathematics is about logic and reason, and I believe these characteristics make me uniquely qualified for this position. I also learned that the best leaders display integrity and a love for others. To be an effective mentor to my students, I need to cultivate this skill set continuously. As a teacher, I have learned the skill of connecting with others and finding common grounds of interest. The heart of all governance is the people.
To be a voice of the people and uphold the Truths that we deem as being self-evident.
My life's motto is to leave a place better than how you found it so that others may benefit from you. Image how our society would change if we realized that it is far better to be a blessing to others than to focus on our self-interests. One of the best blessings that we could ever give to our neighbors is the freedom to live as free men and women. Liberty has cultivated the American Spirit that led to many significant accomplishments in our nation.
I have worked in several different types of jobs over the years. At an earlier age, I learned the trade of cabinet making and carpentry. Although I am no longer active in this line of work, I remember the life lessons that I learned during these years. If it is worth doing, take your time and do it right. Work hard even when no one is watching. Be honest and put in an honest day’s work because others depend upon your integrity. Be willing to lead a hand when needed, for the work of two is better than one. Family and friends are more important than work. Remember who you are.
As a construction worker, I learned many skills but the most important life lesson that I learned is how to treat others. I learned the stark difference between being a boss and being a leader. I discovered that when higher management treated their workers with dignity, a better product was produced for the company. I learned that it is far better to treat others as people more important than yourself and to not look down upon others. To summary
As a construction worker, I learned many skills but the most important life lesson that I learned is how to treat others. I learned the stark difference between being a boss and being a leader. I discovered that when higher management treated their workers with dignity, a better product was produced for the company. I learned that it is far better to treat others as people more important than yourself and to not look down upon others. To summary
I am fond of many books within the genre of apologetics, such as Know Why You Believe What You Believe ( by Paul E Little, and classics such as ere Christianity (by CS Lewis). These books require the reader to be active participants, find self-reflection, and search for understanding.
The state legislature should monitor the executive branch, ensuring that the governor has not overstepped the powers of the office. There should be a healthy degree of mutual respect and acknowledgment of shared governance.
The biggest challenge we face as a state is remembering how to unite with our neighbors and reclaim the title, We The People. Once we remember how to put the interests of others above our own, we will be able to find a reasonable solution to the issues that tend to grab our focus on issues that keep us separated (taxation, education, and emergency powers). The main challenge is learning how to live in peace with others in this turbulent world.
I do not see the benefits of a system that has the potential of decreasing the representation of people. Our forefathers experienced the limitations of this system of governance under the Articles of Confederation, which is why our federal and state legislatures are split into two houses.
We are stronger as a people when we embrace the idea that governance is a community effort of ordinary citizens.
It is important to build meaningful relationships that cultivate trust. If we govern independently, without giving credence to others, then the core of democracy (the open marketplace of ideas) will be stifled. Those who govern alone will lead others down a road of folly, but those who are wise will seek counsel from others. There will be times when we need to call upon one another for support or guidance.
My criteria for redistricting is that everyone, regardless of ethnicity or background, will have an equal opportunity to be represented.
My experience in education will serve well on the Education Committee and the Revenue & Tax Committee.
I am inspired by those who champion the cause of Freedom and Liberty. (William Wilberforce, Ron Paul, Rand Paul)
I currently have no intentions of pursuing another political office.
Recursive jokes are the best. You can keep telling them over and over again.
During times of crisis, decisions should be made without haste. The issue is not whether emergency powers should be granted but rather how these powers are being used. Problems arise when the legislative branch is either unable or unwilling to restrain executive overreach. We are governed by the Constitution, the Law of the Land. Emergency powers that overstep the protections guaranteed in the Constitution are illegal, and it is the legislature's duty to reign in control.
Whether a person is willing to compromise is the wrong question to ask, for every day, we are constantly tasked with making compromises. For instance, suppose you are in the checkout line at the grocery store, and you just realized that you do not have enough funds to complete the purchase. At this moment, a decision is needed. A compromise is needed or will not be to continue with the transaction. Choices must be made. A necessary component among all functional democracies is for their citizens to realize that they are part of a story that transcends their desires. We are all part of an epic story.
If we are unwilling to settle our differences through civil discord to reach mutual concessions, then we will never be able to move forward united as a nation. Frustrations will start to rise, and the clarity we once received from the Flame of Liberty to help guide us through the turbulent Passages of Time. A flame that burns bright and true will lose its radiance, becoming dull and dim. And there will come a time when it will be hard to see the truths we once held as self-evident.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 7, 2022
Current members of the Arkansas State Senate
Leadership
Majority Leader:Blake Johnson
Minority Leader:Greg Leding
Senators
District 1
Ben Gilmore (R)
District 2
Matt Stone (R)
District 3
Steve Crowell (R)
District 4
Jimmy Hickey (R)
District 5
Terry Rice (R)
District 6
Matt McKee (R)
District 7
Alan Clark (R)
District 8
District 9
Reginald Murdock (D)
District 10
Ronald Caldwell (R)
District 11
Ricky Hill (R)
District 12
Jamie Scott (D)
District 13
Jane English (R)
District 14
Clarke Tucker (D)
District 15
Fredrick Love (D)
District 16
Kim Hammer (R)
District 17
Mark Johnson (R)
District 18
Jonathan Dismang (R)
District 19
Dave Wallace (R)
District 20
Dan Sullivan (R)
District 21
Blake Johnson (R)
District 22
John Payton (R)
District 23
Scott Flippo (R)
District 24
Missy Irvin (R)
District 25
Breanne Davis (R)
District 26
Vacant
District 27
Justin Boyd (R)
District 28
Bryan King (R)
District 29
Jim Petty (R)
District 30
Greg Leding (D)
District 31
Clint Penzo (R)
District 32
Joshua Bryant (R)
District 33
Bart Hester (R)
District 34
Jim Dotson (R)
District 35
Tyler Dees (R)
Republican Party (28)
Democratic Party (6)
Vacancies (1)
