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Joe Turner (California)
Joe Turner (Republican Party) ran in a special election to the California State Assembly to represent District 1. Turner lost in the special primary on August 27, 2019.
Turner completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2019
See also: California state legislative special elections, 2019
General election
Special general election for California State Assembly District 1
Megan Dahle defeated Elizabeth Betancourt in the special general election for California State Assembly District 1 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Megan Dahle (R) | 57.3 | 59,991 |
 | Elizabeth Betancourt (D)  | 42.7 | 44,618 | |
| Total votes: 104,609 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Special nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 1
Elizabeth Betancourt and Megan Dahle defeated Patrick Henry Jones, Joe Turner, and Lane Rickard in the special primary for California State Assembly District 1 on August 27, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Elizabeth Betancourt (D) | 38.6 | 35,167 |
| ✔ | | Megan Dahle (R) | 35.6 | 32,427 |
| Patrick Henry Jones (R) | 18.7 | 17,010 | ||
 | Joe Turner (R) | 5.2 | 4,751 | |
| Lane Rickard (R) | 1.8 | 1,674 | ||
| Total votes: 91,029 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Joe Turner completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Turner's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1. Sue California for every Constitutional trespass in federal Court. 2. Stand up for our rights: keep and bear Arms, free speech, assembly, parental rights, etc. 3. Restore a truly bicameral legislature to California to fix our tyrannical lack of representation. California is an oligarchy with 120 legislators and rigged rules to suppress competition.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am mostly passionate about the republic. We have a genius system of representation in the United States Congress and we often ignore the State legislatures. I believe the Constitution when it says we are guaranteed a "republican form of government" and California is not a true republic, it is an oligarchy which is a government ran by a few individuals/families. My main goal is to work on fixing the republic to have proper representation for every County, an equal number of Senators per County(1), and a minimum of 1 Assembly district per County(increasing districts within each County with population). I am passionate about our Natural Rights. To keep and bear Arms is not a permission slip. It is a restriction on government and California is in intentional violation of our Rights. Wild fires have devastated our North State and we have underfunded pension liabilities. We have solve two birds with one stone by reopening the timber industry and using tax receipts from it to better fund public employee pensions. We have to treat our forests like gardens. Trees are competing for limited water/nutrients, bunching together, dwarfing each other, and are weaker against fire, draught, and bug infestations. We have to thin the forests to allow trees to grow bigger and stronger to better withstand natural fire cycles, to prevent catastrophic infrastructure damage, and to help keep our brave firefighters safer. Education is of the utmost importance. An 8th grade education 110 years ago was nearly equal to a Bachelor Degree today. Better standards result in a better education and focusing on "ABCs and 123s" rather than sexual indoctrination. The rate of suicide increased among children after "suicide prevention education" because it is suicide induction. The same thing happens with gender identity education. It is a foreign concept to children. They cannot legally sign a contract and rarely know what they want to be when they grow up let alone pick as their next Halloween costume. We have to remember how impressionable children are and that they need to become adults before making adult decisions.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Thomas Jefferson: He was an intellectual giant for Liberty and an abolitionist. The original Declaration of Independence listed slavery as an original grievance against the Crown but it is often forgotten. Bass Reeves: He was the real Lone Ranger and a man who dedicated his life to upholding the law after enduring slavery. He was illiterate but skilled and very brave. John Clem: He was the youngest Noncomissioned Officer in the United States Army at 12 years old. He dedicated his life to the Union starting at an early age. Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart: These brave Delta Force Operators gave their lives, knowing they would die, to protect WO Michael Durant after his Black Hawk, "Super Six-Four," in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Duty and Integrity. Any Statesman has to feel duty bound to the position to avoid self gain and must maintain honesty in all of their dealings both campaigning and serving.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I believe my dedication to Liberty and obligation to uphold and defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same, are foundational to what I can offer in public service. I want to find common goals with members of other parties in order to work towards writing legislation to benefit US Citizens. I will never compromise on our Natural Rights. The moment we compromise on our Natural Rights, that is when we fall down the slippery slope of being conquered by an authoritarian regime.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To obey your oath of office first and foremost. After that, represent the concerns and grievances of your constituents as those concerns and grievances align with the Constitution and do not violate the Rights of others.
What legacy would you like to leave?
A true representative republic that protects the Natural Rights of all people and represents its citizens.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I vaguely remember the Challenger exploding in 1986. I was 3 years old but I really remember Desert Storm in 1990. I was 7 years old and I remember a Marine visiting my 1st Grade class room. I was terrified of larger conflict breaking out around the world.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I grew up in the family business. It was a bakery in Susanville, CA and I loved it. Other than that my first job was working for a local Ford dealership washing cars my Junior year of high school and I Enlisted into the California Army National Guard on September 8th, 2000 when I was a Senior in high school.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
I'm cliché but I love Independence Day. I often jest my family and friends about celebrating the 25th of December or the 31st of October since so many Americans celebrate a date, rather than the name/reason of the holiday.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Starship Troopers. Because Robert Heinlein explores social obligations and consequences of citizenship in a futuristic setting.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
I'm very partial to the Shepard character in Mass Effect. It's very difficult for me to ever complete that game without making choices to benefit others at risk to myself.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My vintage 1986 The Transformers: The Movie poster. My high school friend found it at a tshirt shop in Tel Aviv, Israel while we were deployed to Egypt and I asked him if he was going to buy it. He hesitated so I snatched it up and bought it. It was my favorite movie growing up as a child.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Diamond Eyes by Shinedown.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I sometimes overextend myself when something comes along that I believe in. I might not have the resources at the time, but I'm compelled to try because it is my personal duty.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The Senate, like the United States Senate, is to provide equal representation to geographic areas to provide a balance to population fervor. The Assembly/House is to be the closest level of government to the People and to represent the concerns/grievances of the People.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
It's relative. If a person has a lot of the wrong experience in government, then it may negatively influence them against following their oath of office. If someone has a lot of experience and never follows their oath, then it should be a huge red flag to the People to oust that subversive and self-serving politician.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Representation of the citizens. California has intentionally curried favor with foreigners to make illegal entry so they could be counted in the next Census in order to inflate their legislative apportionment in Congress and to further consolidate the State districts into the Urban areas.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
For the governor to demand the legislature follow their oath of office and for the legislature to do the same to the governor.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
It is beneficial, but only when there are common goals that do not violate the Rights of People.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Using latitude lines to unbiasly divide populations. It can create wide districts, but makes gerrymandering nearly impossible.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
The Armed Services Committee. Veteran issues are near and dear to my heart. I've been very frustrated with California's refusal to actually benefit its veterans and National Guard personnel.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I am only interested in any leadership position that holds legislators accountable for their oath of office and following the Constitutions.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Thomas Jefferson.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I have no personal desire to chase a political career. I reluctantly submit my name when I feel pressure from opportunity and others who encourage me to run. It is an honor and a privilege to run/serve.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
One of my friends who I served with overseas in the military lost his home during the Camp Fire. He was ready to move for a change after he found the remains of his dog. This man was a rugged Marine before I knew him and hearing about his pain in that loss broke my heart. For many veterans, our pets are more than family, they are our life lines and when we lose them it is the hardest thing we can endure. We can't avoid every travesty but we sure can do everything possible to mitigate any unnecessary loss while respecting the Rights of everyone involved.
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
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
