Mark J. Powell

Mark Powell was born in Chicago, Illinois. Powell earned a bachelor's degree in political science from St. Ambrose College in 1980 and a master's degree in divinity from the Christian Theological Seminary in 2008. His career experience includes working as a Lutheran pastor, radio broadcaster, communications consultant, and legislative aide.[1][2]

Mark J. Powell did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Rev. Mark J. Powell, M.Div. (D-IN9)

Born: Chicago, September 29, 1959

Parents: Factory Workers, Father: Born in Kielce, Poland, 1928, Mother: Born in Chicago, Illinois 1924 (Adopted 1971)

Academic: Downers Grove South High School, Downers Grove, IL

(August 1973-January, 1977)

B.A. Cum Laude, Political Science, St. Ambrose College, Davenport, IA

(June 1977-May, 1980)

Graduate Theology: North American College, Vatican City State, Europe (September 1980-September 1981)

M.Div. Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN

(July 2005-May, 2008)

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Ordained in 2009 at Faith Lutheran Church, Otterbein, IN, Rostered with the Lutheran Church - International. (2008 to present), Political and Governmental Consultant/ Staff Member (1994-2004) Radio Host, Program Director (March 1978-March 2000)

Experience:

1986 (February-March) Protest Write-In GOP Congressional Campaign, Illinois 14th Congressional District,

1987 (April) Elected Independent 7th Ward City Councilman, City of DeKalb, Illinois

1989 DeKalb, IL Independent Mayoral candidate

1994-1996 Campaign Manager, Legislative Assistant, Kansas House of Representatives

2000-2003 Chief of Staff, Associate House Speaker, Michigan House of Representatives

2003-2004 Michigan State House of Representatives Protest Libertarian nominee

2010 United States Democratic Congressional candidate, District 4

2020 United States Democratic Congressional candidate, District 9

Please 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?

We need Leaders not Politicians like Joseph Albert Hollingsworth III!!! In 2019, Pastor Powell was a vocal opponent to GOP officials giving Johnson County Prosecutor Brad Cooper who pleaded guilty to beating his fiancé a slap on the wrist. Special treatment was given to Cooperby a State Judicial system controlled by Republicans. When Powell was calling for Prosecutor Cooper to resign after pleading guilty to three felonies YOU could hear crickets coming from Mr. Hollingsworth. That's not decency!!!We need a Representative in Congress that REPRESENTS. Mr. Hollingsworth might be worth $50 Plus Million Dollars but he should not think WE WORK FOR HIM. If I am your next Congressman I know YOU are MY BOSS. I want to hear from you every week on Saturday, I pledge to host a LIVE 1 hour radio talk show on a netwrok of stations in the 9th District whether Im in D.C. or back home in Indiana. I will hold Town Halls too. Due to the National Emergency for Some Americans when it comes to Health Insurance, Pastor Powell will sponsor legislation in January 2021 that will state: beginning July 1, 2021 all citizens earning a household income of $99,999 or less will have immediate access if they wish to Congressional Health Insurance. Pastor Powell believes this enacted legislation will motivate all Representatives and Senators to ACT on this issue immediately.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1. Health insurance coverage is not a RIGHT for the elite, wealthy or Congress, it is a human right. A free market should not be able to dictate who is more worthy of living or dying due to lack of needed treatment and care. Quality care, required medication and medical services (including preventative care, dental health, prenatal/maternal care and mental health care) must be available to every person in this country regardless of status, past medical history or income level.

2. Children, country music fans, the LGBTQ community, college students, worshipers at

Church...have been victims of the mindless menace of violence which affects us ALL and it ought to bring us together across partisan lines for common sense reforms. More than half of Americans - both Democrats and Republicans - support firearm safety by keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill and broader background checks without gun show loopholes. Please know Pastor Powell is for the People keeping their firearms and that includes hand guns and long barreled weapons.

3. Pastor Powell will support...

1.Immediate Action to create the United States Department of the Environment

2. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

3. Protecting our forests, national parks and arctic regions worldwide by investing in environmentally compassionate technology and jobs

4. Humane treatment of animals, a national animal rights ethics code

5.Reinstating the restrictions against ivory, puppy mills and hunting

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.) (1965-1968)

United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) (2007-Present)

Hand in hand with freedom of speech goes the power to be heard, to share in the decisions of government which shape men's lives. Everything that makes man's life worthwhile - family, work, education, a place to rear one's children and a place to rest one's head - all this depends on the decisions of government; all can be swept away by a government which does not heed the demands of its people, and I mean all of its people. Therefore, the essential humanity of men can be protected and preserved only where government must answer - not just to the wealthy, not just to those of a particular religion, or a particular race, but to all its people.

And even government by the consent of the governed, as in our own Constitution, must be limited in its power to act against its people; so that there may be no interference with the right to worship, or with the security of the home; no arbitrary imposition of pains or penalties by officials high or low; no restrictions on the freedom of men to seek education or work or opportunity of any kind, so that each man may become all he is capable of becoming.

These are the sacred rights of Western society. 6/6/66- Sen. Bob Kennedy

"If you feel stuck in the middle of the extremes in our politics, you've got a home with me. " 9/12/2019 -Sen. Amy Kloubchar

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

To Seek a Newer World. United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy, (D-N.Y.)

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

1. Empathy

2. Courage

3. Love

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

1. Empathy

2. Straight Shooter

3. I'm not a Kiss Ass

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

1. Represent their Constituents when they know clearly what the People desire.

2. Communicate with their Constituents ...I will host a weekly call in talk show on a network covering all of the 9th District and Internet site too. Non scripted and no screeners. Participate in as many Town Halls as possible.

3. Have Staff that work. The Office should be available to receive a message and respond within 24 hours, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. People's concerns are not just 9-5.

What legacy would you like to leave?

1. Peace in the Middle East

2. A Balanced Budget for the Federal Government

3. Wednesday Nights in D.C. where Members of Congress of both parties can play cards together and drink a beverage of their choice.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, November 22, 1963. I turned 4 years old in September.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Radio Host, CBS Radio affiliate WHBF -AM/FM 1270AM/98.9FM, I worked their weekends and fill ins during my time at St. Ambrose College, Davenport 1978 through early 1980. I graduated in May, 1980.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible...it has it ALL!!!

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Batman!

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The Pina Colada Song by Rupert Holmes

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I was a victim of Clergy Sex Abuse when I was a kid in the Catholic church, now as a 60 year old survivor, I hope my story and example can show that God loves us very much and that there is a need to pass nationwide legislation that gives law enforcement more tools to combat child sex abuse and sex trafficking as was the Jeffrey Epstein case.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is the Power of the Purse, the Power of Impeachment which I mention above.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I do so YES  :)

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

1. Putting the Communist Chinese Politburo out of existence.

2. Bringing Muslims, Jews and Christians to agree on the Co-Capitol of Jewish and Muslim Jerusalem mediated by the United States government and enforced by United Nations Peace Keepers.

3. Returning the printing of money to the United States Congress and doing away with the Federal Reserve System. This is a Constitutional duty that the Congress has given away. It is apparent this system has failed not only the United States but every nation of the world.

Thus we must remember : "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; To regulate COMMERCE with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States; To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States...".

In Summary, the House of Representiatives must exert it's power within the Branches of American Power. If we Impeach we better damn well get it right instead of the 1998 -1999 Republican and 2019-2020 Democratic debacle . The only impeachement to be successful was the actions against the 37th President which was truly a Bi-Partisan desire to see justice in the American political system.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Natural Resources and the Subcommittee on Native American relations. I beleive we need to reconcile with our Native American brothers and sisters. We need to re-establish justice between the Tribes and the Federal Government whose representatives have acted horrifiically over the years.

Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on the Middle East

Armed Services and the Subcommittee on the Defense Intelligence Agency

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

NA yet :)

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

The writers of the Constitution believed so, no reason to reinvent the wheel.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

The People must use their franchise if they want someone to continue to or what a new person to repesent them in the House of Representatives.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

The first Speaker of the House was a Lutheran minister, as a Lutheran pastor it would be nice to follow in Speaker Fredrick Muhlenberg's footsteps.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Yes, fellow Luteran pastor and the First Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Fredrick Muhlenberg.

Both sitting representatives 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?

A young man of 26 stood up to 7 county chairmen who wanted to keep a brain dead Congressman alive during a primary so instead of having rank and file party members pick the nominee they picked their nominee who didnt even live in the District. That 26 year old ran a write in campaign and told folks through radio ads what was going to happen ...and it happened just the way the young man said...now that young man is 60 years old and a Lutheran pastor running for Congress again in Indiana 9...Rev. Mark J. Powell, M.Div. (D-IN 9)...you see that young man was me all those years ago!!! *

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_E._Grotberg#Life_and_career

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