Jonathan McColumn

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Jonathan McColumn completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McColumn's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-386036-2026-05-01\" id=\"heading-key-message-386036-2026-05-01\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-386036-2026-05-01\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-386036-2026-05-01\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-386036-2026-05-01\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-386036-2026-05-01\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Georgia does not have a Senator (incumbent or candidate) possessing Executive/Strategic level experience in Armed Services or Foreign Affairs. However, Georgia has nine (9) military bases employing more than 145K persons, generating $24B (approx.) to the Georgia economy and the U.S. defense effort. Ga boasts approx. 700K Veterans. We need a Senator able to defend military bases, military communities’ existence, contractors as force multipliers, and a support base able to provide the best care available for our Veterans. Ga is the only southern state (except Kentucky) that taxes military retirement. Ga needs an experienced Veteran!</li><li>The U.S. Senate needs Leaders, validated by past performance and technical competence. It is not a place for neophytes. \"Shutting-down” the gov't in support of illegal aliens, not funding Homeland Services, failing to safeguard elections by requiring an I.D. card, and neglecting the national debt ($39T) are real examples of poor l . I bring 31+ years of Senior level experience from the military and 3 Master's Degrees. I am prepared to address healthcare, home affordability, economic issues, agricultural concerns, mental illness, security, education, etc., which requires established performance in Executive/Strategic Leadership emphasizing people. From the military, it is called, “mission first – people always.</li><li>My Campaign motto is “Back to the Basics”. It implies revisiting those well tested values that made America great: a biblical world view - Blessed is the nation who's God is Lord (Psalm 33:12); a return to the Declaration of Independence (all rights come from God); the U.S. Constitution is the law of the land with emphasis on our rights and insists, the \"rule of law must prevails, otherwise, anarchy may result. Finally, it implies a willingness to bring Georgians together under a plethora or our common desires. We are \"there\" when our weapons are pointed in the same direction and not at each other. After all, we desire security, reasonably priced gas, fair access to employment under meritocracy, etc...</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-386036-2026-05-01\" id=\"heading1-386036-2026-05-01\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-386036-2026-05-01\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-386036-2026-05-01\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-386036-2026-05-01\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-386036-2026-05-01\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tForeign, Transportation, Education, Economic, Family, and Foreign Policy are areas in which I am passionate about and have obtained Executive Leadership throughout the U.S. and thirteen (13) countries I have traveled/lived. Foreign Policy is of great interest as I have witnessed U.S. influence in many cultures, and how the U.S. employs its tools of influence to obtain its ends. More importantly, I have learned that the United State’s presence throughout the world represents a force for good. I am well aware of US exceptional benevolence throughout the world in the form of blood and money from American citizens across a vast spectrum. It lends credibility to my statement that the United States is the greatest nation to succeed.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-386036-2026-05-01\" id=\"heading2-386036-2026-05-01\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-386036-2026-05-01\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-386036-2026-05-01\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-386036-2026-05-01\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-386036-2026-05-01\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCertified by the Georgia Life Alliance\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> 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.</i></p></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<p>Jonathan McColumn did not complete <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection</a> survey.\n</p>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nJonathan McColumn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McColumn's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Georgia does not have a Senator (incumbent or candidate) possessing Executive/Strategic level experience in Armed Services or Foreign Affairs. However, Georgia has nine (9) military bases employing more than 145K persons, generating $24B (approx.) to the Georgia economy and the U.S. defense effort. Ga boasts approx. 700K Veterans. We need a Senator able to defend military bases, military communities’ existence, contractors as force multipliers, and a support base able to provide the best care available for our Veterans. Ga is the only southern state (except Kentucky) that taxes military retirement. Ga needs an experienced Veteran! The U.S. Senate needs Leaders, validated by past performance and technical competence. It is not a place for neophytes. \"Shutting-down” the gov't in support of illegal aliens, not funding Homeland Services, failing to safeguard elections by requiring an I.D. card, and neglecting the national debt ($39T) are real examples of poor l . I bring 31+ years of Senior level experience from the military and 3 Master's Degrees. I am prepared to address healthcare, home affordability, economic issues, agricultural concerns, mental illness, security, education, etc., which requires established performance in Executive/Strategic Leadership emphasizing people. From the military, it is called, “mission first – people always. My Campaign motto is “Back to the Basics”. It implies revisiting those well tested values that made America great: a biblical world view - Blessed is the nation who's God is Lord (Psalm 33:12); a return to the Declaration of Independence (all rights come from God); the U.S. Constitution is the law of the land with emphasis on our rights and insists, the \"rule of law must prevails, otherwise, anarchy may result. Finally, it implies a willingness to bring Georgians together under a plethora or our common desires. We are \"there\" when our weapons are pointed in the same direction and not at each other. After all, we desire security, reasonably priced gas, fair access to employment under meritocracy, etc... What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Foreign, Transportation, Education, Economic, Family, and Foreign Policy are areas in which I am passionate about and have obtained Executive Leadership throughout the U.S. and thirteen (13) countries I have traveled/lived. Foreign Policy is of great interest as I have witnessed U.S. influence in many cultures, and how the U.S. employs its tools of influence to obtain its ends. More importantly, I have learned that the United State’s presence throughout the world represents a force for good. I am well aware of US exceptional benevolence throughout the world in the form of blood and money from American citizens across a vast spectrum. It lends credibility to my statement that the United States is the greatest nation to succeed. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? Certified by the Georgia Life Alliance\nNote: 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.\n\nJonathan McColumn did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>McColumn’s campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul><li><b>Filibuster</b></li></ul>\n<dl><dd>A political strategy (U.S. Senate rule) in which a Senator speaks or threatens to for hours on end to delay efforts to vote for a bill</dd>\n<dd>A Senator, once recognized on the floor, may speak on an issue without being impeded by anyone</dd>\n<dd>A unique leverage for the minority political party</dd>\n<dd>Rule 22 (Closure) created to authorize a two-thirds (2/3) or official closure to debate (halts debate)</dd>\n<dd>As of 1970, Senators can continue working other business while a “theoretical” debate continues</dd>\n<dd>Democrats recently called the Filibuster a “Jim Crow” relic; Democrats used the filibuster 327 times while Republicans used it once in 2020</dd></dl>\n<p><br/>\n</p>\n<dl><dd>Problem:</dd>\n<dd>Congress is currently controlled by the Democratic Party</dd>\n<dd>In order to advance the President’s policies, the Democrats require all 50 Democratic Senators’ vote to remove the filibuster, allowing them to cease discussions – voting for the bill, thereafter, with the Vice President’s tie breaking vote</dd>\n<dd>Currently, that docket includes the proposed “John Lewis Voting Rights Acf’ (nationalize elections, rendering the Democrat party substantial control of the U.S. government), and the “Bill Back Better Acf’ (in my estimation, would change the U.S. into a more socialistic country while increasing the U.S. deficit</dd>\n<dd>Two Democratic (not Georgia) Senators from Arizona and West Virginia are the only Democratic Senators willing to validate the dangers associated with altering the filibuster to pass these bills – for any bill</dd>\n<dd>The 2 Democratic Senators plus the 50 Republican Senators are the only check and balance preventing harm to the United States.</dd>\n<dd>UPDATE. Democrats attempt to defeat or modify the filibuster failed on Jan 19, 2020. Great news for the U.S.!</dd></dl>\n<dl><dd>Jonathan’s Position:</dd>\n<dd>The potential dangers of Democrat total control (by successfully altering the filibuster) without any support from Republicans is very dangerous and minimizes the role of the current minority party (Republicans). Therefore, I support the efforts of the 50 Republican Senators and the 2 Democrat Senators which derailed the Democrat party’s effort to remove the filibuster. Kudos to the 50 Republicans and 2 Democrat Senators!</dd></dl>\n<ul><li><b>Promoting Secure Borders</b></li></ul>\n<dl><dd>Problem:</dd>\n<dd>Upon inauguration, President Biden executed an Executive Order erasing President Trump’s border policy, which included closed borders and a mutual agreement between the U.S. and Mexico vetting immigrants in Mexico and elsewhere.</dd></dl>\n<dl><dd>President Biden’s strategy resulted in loss of tax payers’ dollars already committed in contracts to build a border wall and open borders allowing free passage and release of illegal immigrants in the U.S.</dd>\n<dd>Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, consistently briefed via multiple media outlets, “the border is closed”, while U.S. Citizens and others watched numerous illegal immigrants crossing the U.S. border and, thereafter, released and often supported by U.S. taxpayers’ dollars while advancing their entry</dd></dl>\n<dl><dd>Jonathan’s Position:</dd>\n<dd>Security is one of the major roles of the US Government (see U.S. Constitution). I strongly affirm the right of the U.S to control its (sovereign) borders. U.S. Citizens should expect the President, via Homeland Security and others, to ensure the security of our nation. Rules exist and are already codified regarding individuals illegally crossing the border. It is my contention that the President, continues to undermine the rule of law in a blatant disregard for protecting and supporting Americans and those who properly seek residence in the United States. Subject to the Judicial system intervention, I look forward to the re-establishment of the rule of law while we fairly deal with the holistic immigration effort in the US. The following are my additional positions:</dd></dl>\n<ul><li>Support the laws/rules already codified in Federal Policy</li>\n<li>Complete the project to build the fence/wall across the Southern US Border; the U.S. has already paid for much fencing through contracts which were probably terminated for the government’s convenience</li>\n<li>Fund electronic means to observe the border; provide funding to support border states</li>\n<li>U.S. cannot allow immigrants to “jump the line” ahead of those following current laws/protocols for entry into the US</li></ul>\n<p><b>Areas of Concern I will focus on for Georgians</b>\n</p>\n<ul><li>Rising Inflation / Debt ($28T)</li>\n<li>Unbalanced Justice (Police, Criminals, Protesting Citizens)</li>\n<li>Misrepresentation of laws (voting)</li>\n<li>Pro-life</li>\n<li>No State Taxes for Retired Military Citizen residing in Georgia</li>\n<li>Secured Borders</li>\n<li>States Retain Rights (per United States Constitution)</li>\n<li>Healthcare available to all Georgians</li>\n<li>Fiscal Accountability</li>\n<li>Pro Fossil Fuels (until market determines otherwise)</li>\n<li>Education Independence (vouchers follow children in event of failing school)</li></ul>\n<dl><dd><ul><li>Low Taxes are Best</li></ul></dd></dl>\n<ul><li>Existential threat to US (China, Cybersecurity, deception (some media), US Debt, education)</li>\n<li>The sex one is born with is the appropriate designation</li>\n<li>Rule of Law must stand<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_2-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-2\">[2]</a></sup></li></ul>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Jonathan McColumn’s campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-3\"><a href=\"#cite_note-3\">[3]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>", "answer_text": "McColumn’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ Filibuster A political strategy (U.S. Senate rule) in which a Senator speaks or threatens to for hours on end to delay efforts to vote for a bill A Senator, once recognized on the floor, may speak on an issue without being impeded by anyone A unique leverage for the minority political party Rule 22 (Closure) created to authorize a two-thirds (2/3) or official closure to debate (halts debate) As of 1970, Senators can continue working other business while a “theoretical” debate continues Democrats recently called the Filibuster a “Jim Crow” relic; Democrats used the filibuster 327 times while Republicans used it once in 2020 Problem: Congress is currently controlled by the Democratic Party In order to advance the President’s policies, the Democrats require all 50 Democratic Senators’ vote to remove the filibuster, allowing them to cease discussions – voting for the bill, thereafter, with the Vice President’s tie breaking vote Currently, that docket includes the proposed “John Lewis Voting Rights Acf’ (nationalize elections, rendering the Democrat party substantial control of the U.S. government), and the “Bill Back Better Acf’ (in my estimation, would change the U.S. into a more socialistic country while increasing the U.S. deficit Two Democratic (not Georgia) Senators from Arizona and West Virginia are the only Democratic Senators willing to validate the dangers associated with altering the filibuster to pass these bills – for any bill The 2 Democratic Senators plus the 50 Republican Senators are the only check and balance preventing harm to the United States. UPDATE. Democrats attempt to defeat or modify the filibuster failed on Jan 19, 2020. Great news for the U.S.! Jonathan’s Position: The potential dangers of Democrat total control (by successfully altering the filibuster) without any support from Republicans is very dangerous and minimizes the role of the current minority party (Republicans). Therefore, I support the efforts of the 50 Republican Senators and the 2 Democrat Senators which derailed the Democrat party’s effort to remove the filibuster. Kudos to the 50 Republicans and 2 Democrat Senators! Promoting Secure Borders Problem: Upon inauguration, President Biden executed an Executive Order erasing President Trump’s border policy, which included closed borders and a mutual agreement between the U.S. and Mexico vetting immigrants in Mexico and elsewhere. President Biden’s strategy resulted in loss of tax payers’ dollars already committed in contracts to build a border wall and open borders allowing free passage and release of illegal immigrants in the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, consistently briefed via multiple media outlets, “the border is closed”, while U.S. Citizens and others watched numerous illegal immigrants crossing the U.S. border and, thereafter, released and often supported by U.S. taxpayers’ dollars while advancing their entry Jonathan’s Position: Security is one of the major roles of the US Government (see U.S. Constitution). I strongly affirm the right of the U.S to control its (sovereign) borders. U.S. Citizens should expect the President, via Homeland Security and others, to ensure the security of our nation. Rules exist and are already codified regarding individuals illegally crossing the border. It is my contention that the President, continues to undermine the rule of law in a blatant disregard for protecting and supporting Americans and those who properly seek residence in the United States. Subject to the Judicial system intervention, I look forward to the re-establishment of the rule of law while we fairly deal with the holistic immigration effort in the US. The following are my additional positions: Support the laws/rules already codified in Federal Policy Complete the project to build the fence/wall across the Southern US Border; the U.S. has already paid for much fencing through contracts which were probably terminated for the government’s convenience Fund electronic means to observe the border; provide funding to support border states U.S. cannot allow immigrants to “jump the line” ahead of those following current laws/protocols for entry into the US Areas of Concern I will focus on for Georgians Rising Inflation / Debt ($28T) Unbalanced Justice (Police, Criminals, Protesting Citizens) Misrepresentation of laws (voting) Pro-life No State Taxes for Retired Military Citizen residing in Georgia Secured Borders States Retain Rights (per United States Constitution) Healthcare available to all Georgians Fiscal Accountability Pro Fossil Fuels (until market determines otherwise) Education Independence (vouchers follow children in event of failing school) Low Taxes are Best Existential threat to US (China, Cybersecurity, deception (some media), US Debt, education) The sex one is born with is the appropriate designation Rule of Law must stand [2] ” —Jonathan McColumn’s campaign website (2022) [3]"}]