Mark Lewis (Virginia)
Mark Lewis (Libertarian Party) ran for election to the Virginia State Senate to represent District 9. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2019.
Lewis completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2019
See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2019
General election
General election for Virginia State Senate District 9
Incumbent Jennifer McClellan defeated Mark Lewis in the general election for Virginia State Senate District 9 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jennifer McClellan (D) | 80.1 | 49,451 |
 | Mark Lewis (L)  | 19.0 | 11,707 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 613 | ||
| Total votes: 61,771 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Mark Lewis completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lewis' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1. Legalize marijuana and end the failed "War on Drugs." 2. Cut taxes and spending by ending corporate welfare. 3. Expand school choice to make private schools an affordable alternative to the harsh conditions the children of Virginia are forced to endure in poorly funded public schools.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am personally passionate about doing everything in my power to end the mass incarceration of nonviolent offenders and to ensure my and your tax dollars go to serving the people and not corporate interests. The senate voted last year to give $750 million of our money to Amazon. In a state where our schools continue to go underfunded, such an agreement is a travesty and a blatant disregard for the will of the people in favor of corporate lobbyist money. As a senator, I will put a stop to this corruption and make the government work for you, the taxpayer.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Martin Luther King, Jr. has always been a big influence. He preached a practical form of nonviolence and merged his biblical doctrine with political action to make a difference for the good of everyone; to achieve justice for everyone. He did it in such a way that should be the standard for anyone who calls themselves a Christian and political activist.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
"On Liberty" by John Stuart Mill and John Locke's "Second Treatise" are important books concerning individual rights and civil liberty. Also, Matthew 20:25-28 of the Bible where Jesus tells his disciples "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." I hope as your senator, to be a humble civil servant to the people of my district and the people of Virginia.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
The humility to view his or her self as a civil servant, the strength of character to resist bribery, coercion, or intimidation, and the creativity to create compromises to solve complicated problems.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I will enter the office of state senator with the mindset that I am a civil servant and will put protecting the rights and liberties of the people first.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Again, to view themselves as a civil servant in office for the purpose of protecting the rights and liberties of the people and favoring the people over corporate lobbyists.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to make people rethink politics, pay attention, and vote, knowing that the person they are voting for are their representatives. I would like to remind the people to vote FOR something, not just AGAINST something and not just for the red team or the blue team but for the issues that matter to you. It is the duty of the government to represent you and when they fail to it is the duty of voters to vote them out.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I worked at Air Mechanix in Franklin, Virginia. They do HVAC installation and repairs. I worked for them over a summer helping my dad install air conditioners in houses. It was hard work but it taught me a lot about the value of hard work.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas because of the way it brings people together. Even in wartime, truces have been called on Christmas between sides that determined each other to be bitter enemies days before.
What is your favorite book? Why?
I enjoyed reading the classics of political philosophy in one of my classes at VCU, but among them, I enjoyed the works of John Locke and John Stuart Mill most. Their philosophies were a big part of the foundation which America was founded on.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
A superhero like Iron Man or Captain America.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My roommate's coffeemaker. It keeps me going in the morning.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Everytime We Touch by Cascada... there I admitted it. Are you happy Ballotpedia?
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Having a strong ambition and desire to do a lot of good but not really knowing where to start.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Senators represent more people and serve a longer term. So the election for senate is crucial in that the candidate elected will serve much longer than those in the House.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
It is beneficial but not necessary as long as the candidate knows the issues that effect voters. After all, you have to get experience to have experience.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Solving our spending problem, lowering the tax burden on our citizens, and better funding for our schools. I believe these issues are related. Solving our spending problem will lower taxes and provide appropriate funds for our schools to be renovated and modernized. Expanding tax credits for school choice would also provide choices for parents by making alternatives more affordable while costing taxpayers zero.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
Both are representatives of the people and should work together to ensure the protection of rights and liberties above all and seek the common good.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Absolutely. Compromises are necessary to get important bills passed. That being said, it is equally important to stand up for basic principles and ensure that the legislature does not lose sight of what matters most: the people of Virginia.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Something fair and simple. The less gerrymandering that takes place, the better. Voters should choose their legislators, not the other way around.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Maybe something having to do with education, criminal justice, or budgeting but wherever I am assigned, I will work at it as a representative of the people.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
No.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
In the immediate future, something local where I can make a positive difference in my community.
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?
I have heard many stories about the poor conditions of Richmond's schools while working on Paul Goldman's school referendum last summer. The teachers in many schools don't have the supplies they need, one school had a dangerous asbestos problem, another went without AC for an entire summer! Our children deserve better.
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
