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Stephen MacKenzie
Stephen MacKenzie (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Indiana's 6th Congressional District. He lost in the Republican primary on May 8, 2018.
MacKenzie was a 2016 Republican candidate who sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 5th Congressional District of Indiana.[1] MacKenzie was defeated by incumbent Susan Brooks in the Republican primary.[2]
Biography
MacKenzie received his bachelor's degree with honors from Baptist Bible College and Seminary in pastoral studies (1987) and his master's degree with honors in entrepreneurship and innovative management from Drexel University (2014). His professional experience includes founding the company Brand On Americas and serving as a consultant for FASTSIGNS International where he managed and mentored 56 entrepreneurs and small business owners. MacKenzie has worked in the private and military sectors and has expertise in business development and planning. He is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.[3]
Elections
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Indiana District 6
Greg Pence defeated Jeannine Lee Lake and Tom Ferkinhoff in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 6 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Greg Pence (R) | 63.8 | 154,260 |
 | Jeannine Lee Lake (D) | 32.9 | 79,430 | |
 | Tom Ferkinhoff (L) | 3.3 | 8,030 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 6 | ||
| Total votes: 241,726 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 6
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 6 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jeannine Lee Lake | 38.3 | 8,890 |
 | Jim Pruett | 25.8 | 5,984 | |
 | Lane Siekman | 15.6 | 3,612 | |
 | George Thomas Holland | 11.1 | 2,570 | |
 | Joshua Williamson | 7.3 | 1,695 | |
| K. Lave | 1.9 | 446 | ||
| Total votes: 23,197 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Arturas Kerelis (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 6
Greg Pence defeated Jonathan Lamb, Stephen MacKenzie, Mike Campbell, and Jeff Smith in the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 6 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Greg Pence | 64.5 | 47,962 |
 | Jonathan Lamb | 23.6 | 17,526 | |
 | Stephen MacKenzie | 4.6 | 3,400 | |
| Mike Campbell | 4.3 | 3,231 | ||
| Jeff Smith | 3.0 | 2,258 | ||
| Total votes: 74,377 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Michael Crider (R)
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Susan Brooks (R) defeated Angela Demaree (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Brooks withdrew from the race on July 15, 2016, in order to run for governor of Indiana following a ballot vacancy. Brooks was not chosen to fill that vacancy, prompting her to once again seek re-election to her House seat. Republican committee members decided on August 13 to reinstate Brooks on the ballot.[4] Brooks defeated Mike Campbell and Stephen MacKenzie in the Republican primary, while Demaree defeated Allen Davidson to win the Democratic nomination. The primary elections took place on May 3, 2016.[1][2][5]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Susan Brooks Incumbent |
61.5% | 221,957 | |
| Democratic | Angela Demaree | 34.3% | 123,849 | |
| Libertarian | Matthew Wittlief | 4.2% | 15,329 | |
| Total Votes | 361,135 | |||
| Source: Indiana Division of Elections | ||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Susan Brooks Incumbent |
69.5% | 95,209 | ||
| Stephen MacKenzie | 15.7% | 21,575 | ||
| Mike Campbell | 14.7% | 20,202 | ||
| Total Votes | 136,986 | |||
| Source: Indiana Secretary of State |
||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Angela Demaree |
74.9% | 52,530 | ||
| Allen Davidson | 25.1% | 17,587 | ||
| Total Votes | 70,117 | |||
| Source: Indiana Secretary of State |
||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Stephen M. MacKenzie participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on April 10, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Stephen M. MacKenzie's responses follow below.[6]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1) National Security - Promote Freedom, Defeat Radical Islamic Terrorism, Stop All Illegal Immigration and Build the Wall on our Southern Border. 2) Economic Security - Promote Personal Responsibility, Balance the Budget, Stop all Debt Limit Increases and Reduce Taxes for all Americans |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | National Security and Economic Security are two of my key areas of strength and interest. My two decades of service in defense of our freedom in the military and my two decades of working in the private sector, have uniquely equipped me to Make America Safe Again and to Make America Great Again!Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[8]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Stephen M. MacKenzie answered the following:
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
| “ | I look up to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first of all. He has taught me how to love and live life to the fullest. Ronald Reagan's courage and example of conservatism also makes him one of the most influential people in my life. Finally my mother and father taught how to be a man of God and how to be a good citizen![8] | ” |
| “ | Milton Friedman's book "Capitalism and Freedom" and "A Patriots History of the United States" by Larry Schweikart.[8] | ” |
| “ | Patriotism, courage, honesty, integrity and independence. Being a citizen representative, rather than a politician.[8] | ” |
| “ | As a direct descendant of William Brewster, one of the original Mayflower pilgrims, and having been raised in a patriotic family, I've felt compelled to preserve and protect the freedoms that were secured by the sacrifices of his forefathers. Therefore, in my life I have strived to live up to and uphold the rights of the American people by becoming a citizen soldier serving nearly two decades in the Air Force Reserve. I have been privileged to serve two tours of duty in support of: Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. I am still an active member in the Air Force Reserve. Throughout my life, I have gained an appreciation for how challenging it can be to live the American Dream, having experienced difficult seasons in my life and persevering with the Lord's grace through them all. My journey is not unlike many citizens in Indiana and thus has prepared him to be an effective advocate for the people of the 6th district. My unwavering faith in God has sustained me and is the reason I remain focused on preserving our way of life for our great nation, our children and future generations.[8] | ” |
| “ | To represent the people and their interests, rather than the special interests or the Party. Also they need to be students of the Constitution and be willing to defend it at all costs.[8] | ” |
| “ | I want all those who have known me to remember that I have been faithful to my Lord, my family and my country and that I never was willing to sell any of them out for personal gain.[8] | ” |
| “ | I remember the draft lottery for the Viet Nam war being televised in 1969. Even though I was only 5 years old it made me think about military service. I remember talking to my mother and father about it because I didn't understand it.[8] | ” |
| “ | My first job was delivering newspapers. I delivered a daily and Sunday newspaper for 4 years from age 10 - 14.[8] | ” |
| “ | I went bowling with another couple and none of knew what to say.[8] | ” |
| “ | Christmas is my favorite holiday because of all of the amazing memories and traditions it affords. My family made this incredibly special and we always emphasized that "Jesus was the Reason for the Season".[8] | ” |
| “ | "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand the story of Louis Zamperini. It is a incredible story of survival, resilience and redemption.[8] | ” |
| “ | I would want to be Superman. I would want to have the power to destroy evil and defend honor and justice.[8] | ” |
| “ | Our white Labrador Retriever Lily! She provides so much joy and unconditional love in our home. She is the best dog ever![8] | ” |
| “ | The song by Kenny Loggins "Danger Zone".[8] | ” |
| “ | In 2011 my company was downsized and I found myself out of a job. My wife and I knew that the economy was tough, but I knew I was physically able to work and I didn't feel it would be necessary for me to take government assistance. A friend of mine owned a kennel and dog training facility and he offered me a job. For the next year I earned minimum wage cleaning out dog kennels and training dogs. This humbled me and made me appreciate the simple things in life. My wife encouraged me to go back to school and use the Post 911 GI Bill. I did and I earned my MBA and 7 years later we have our own international company. The American Dream is alive and well and we need people who understand that to be representatives.[8] | ” |
| “ | I think that the most beneficial thing for a representative to have is private sector and / or military service. Living in the real world with your constituents gives you the most street cred.[8] | ” |
| “ | Homeland Security, Armed Services, Veteran Affairs, Budget, Oversight and Reform and Intelligence.[8] | ” |
| “ | I have already signed a term limits pledge that reinforces what I have believe...three terms / 6 years. This is what our forefathers intended, not a professional political class.[8] | ” |
Biographical information submitted to Ballotpedia
MacKenzie submitted the following answer to the question, "What is your political philosophy?" through Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form:
| “ |
Stephen MacKenzie is the only MAGA, Pro-Trump, non-establishment, conservative christian republican in this race. Stephen's extensive experience in both the military and private business sector have truly qualified him to serve Hoosiers in Congress. “In the military, we say that we’ve ‘got your six’, meaning that we have your back in tough situations. My unmatched and unique qualifications make me the candidate in the 6th who’s got your six. I’ll always work for, support and defend the rights and opportunities of my constituents.”Through his longtime service in the military, MacKenzie has learned firsthand that our national security must be a top priority for Congress. “We need to protect and preserve our freedom and we can’t allow radical Islamic terrorism, North Korea or any other threat to undermine our way of life,” he says. “I believe in maintaining and growing a strong national defense, securing our borders and strictly enforcing current immigration laws. ”MacKenzie continues by emphasizing that his conservative credentials are his strength. “I’m running for Congress because we need true conservatives representing Hoosiers in Washington, D.C.,” he says. “As your next 6th District Congressman, I will always defend the Second Amendment. I will support limited government, promote fiscal responsibility, and support term limits for Congress. I’m a pro-life Christian who supports strong family values. I believe that economic growth and tax reform are keys to helping all of us live the American Dream. “I will never give in to special interests or any influence that goes against my core values,” he continues. “I will represent Indiana’s 6th District with dignity, compassion and a moral compass that guides me in faith, family and business.” Throughout his life, he has gained an appreciation for how challenging it can be to live the American Dream, having experienced difficult seasons in his life and persevering with the Lord’s grace through them all. His journey is not unlike many citizens in Indiana and thus has prepared him to be an effective advocate for the people of the 6th district. His unwavering faith in God has sustained him and is the reason he remains focused on preserving our way of life for our great nation, our children and future generations. [8] |
” |
| —Stephen MaKenzie | ||
Candidate website
The following issues were listed on MacKenzie's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.
| “ |
|
” |
| —Stephen MacKenzie's campaign website (2018), http://mackenzieforcongress.com/issues/ | ||
See also
- United States House of Representatives
- Indiana's 6th Congressional District election, 2018
- Indiana's 5th Congressional District election, 2016
- Indiana's 5th Congressional District
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Indiana Secretary of State, "May 3, 2016 Primary Election," accessed February 8, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The New York Times, "Indiana Primary Results," May 3, 2016
- ↑ Information submitted on Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form on April 4, 2018
- ↑ KLTV, "The Latest: Pence praises GOP replacement choice," July 26, 2016
- ↑ WBAA, "Brooks, Rokita Back On Congressional Ballots Following Weekend Caucuses," August 14, 2016
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Stephen M. MacKenzie's responses," April 10, 2018
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 8.21 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
