Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Suffolk News-Herald sent the same questions to Emily Brewer and Clinton Jenkins. Below is Jenkin’s response, Click here to read Brewer’s.

Name: Clinton Jenkins

Age: 61

Occupation: Realtor

Prior elected offices held: 2019, 2021 – House of Delegates 

 

Can you briefly summarize why you decided to run for the 17th District? 

I am running for State Senate to continue the work that I began in the House of Delegates.  I want to improve our public schools, keep communities safe, and stand up to assure working families can thrive right here in Virginia

Who is your political role model? Why?

Daniel and King David because of their faith and accountability to God. They trusted that God would help them navigate the political system and did their best for the people.

Should all counties have the option of raising their local sales tax rates by 1% by voter referendum to fund school construction projects? Why or why not?

School funding is essential to ensuring our students receive the best education. Fully funding our schools and increasing teacher pay has always been a top priority of mine and I will continue to support those efforts in the Senate. 

Should the state get involved in stemming or encouraging the proliferation of solar farms in rural counties?

Yes, the State should set a standard to assure safety and environmental protection. 

What is one issue where you disagree with your political party’s national stance?

It is rare to agree with a Party’s position on all stances and even more disagreement on how expeditiously the Party is moving on a particular issue, if any movement is taken at all.

How should retail marijuana sales be implemented, or should the 2021 legalization be overturned?

The criminalization of marijuana has disproportionately impacted Black and brown Virginians. In 2021, Virginia legalized marijuana to allow legal, regulated adult use of marijuana as a matter of public safety, justice, equity, and economic opportunity. There is always room to revisit legalizations for further improvements. 

What change, if any, to state law would you like to see in the wake of last year’s overturning of Roe v. Wade?

I firmly believe that decisions regarding pregnancy should remain a private matter between a patient and their healthcare provider, free from the influence of politicians. In our state, abortion is legally allowed within the first two trimesters, roughly up to 26 weeks, and is restricted in the third trimester to cases involving severe maternal health risks or serious pregnancy complications. These restrictions align with established medical standards. It’s essential to acknowledge that late-term abortions are primarily performed due to maternal health concerns or critical pregnancy complications. There appears to be no compelling reason to alter the current regulations, which prioritize the autonomy and well-being of individuals confronting complex and emotionally challenging choices.

Should school personnel be required to use transgender students’ preferred names, and pronouns and/or not reveal their gender identity to their parents? Why or why not? 

Discrimination has no place in our society.  As a nation, we decided long ago that discrimination is wrong and that everyone should have the same opportunities to succeed in life. 

Do you agree with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order banning “divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory” from public schools? Why or why not?

Educators are dedicated to providing every child with an accurate and high-quality education. However, there are politicians who seek to exclude certain children from receiving the funding they need and even attempt to erase the contributions of people who resemble them from our history books. This is unacceptable.

I firmly believe that our priority should be to ensure that we have a fully funded school system. Every student deserves access to the best possible education, regardless of their background or circumstances. By investing in our schools and our students, we can create a brighter and more equitable future for all.

What more can Virginia do to prevent mass shootings?

Increase Funding for Mental Health Services: Continue to invest in mental health services and support to identify and assist individuals who may be at risk of committing mass shootings due to untreated mental health issues.

Improve School Safety: Continue to enhance security measures in schools and provide training for educators and students on recognizing warning signs and responding to potential threats.

Promote Safe Storage: Encourage responsible firearm ownership by promoting safe storage practices.

Enhance Law Enforcement Resources: Provide law enforcement agencies with the necessary resources to investigate and prevent potential mass shootings, including the monitoring of online threats and extremist activities.

Increase Funding for Community Violence Intervention Programs: Continuing to invest in community violence intervention programs will help address the root causes of gun violence and prevent incidents before they occur.

By taking these measures, Virginia can further strengthen its efforts to prevent mass shootings and create a safer environment for its residents. These actions should be considered in conjunction with ongoing efforts to address gun violence comprehensively.