Note: LDS Living does not endorse any political candidates but merely reports on current news involving Latter-day Saints.
After Evan McMullin announced he was running for president, many have wondered:who is this man? And what are his political views?
Evan McMullin has never held an elected office and he's never been in a debate. Though he has served as a senior national security and policy advisor in the House of Representatives, and though he has labeled himself as an independent conservative, there are still many questions that arise regarding his stance on current issues the United States faces.
In order to clear these misconceptions, McMullin released "My Letter to America," explaining his reasons for running as well as some of his political views.
He begins:
My Fellow Americans,
Our American Nation is the greatest experiment in freedom the world has ever known. It’s given generations of citizens the blessings of liberty ever since the Founding Fathers risked their lives in what seemed like an improbable bid for independence. While the republic they created was one of imperfect freedoms, for 240 years the arc of progress and liberty has moved ever-upward. Even in times of economic crisis and war, our nation has been a singular source of hope for people throughout the world yearning for liberty, dignity and opportunity.
I proudly and quietly served our country for most of my adult life, first as an undercover operations officer with the Central Intelligence Agency and more recently as a senior national security and policy advisor in the House of Representatives. My service has given me unique, firsthand knowledge of the threats our nation faces, the burdens borne by hardworking Americans, and the numerous areas of our government that desperately need reform.
As the letter continues, McMullin explains that he believes in "limited, Constitutional government that is smaller, smarter, and more accountable." McMullin also appeals to those "who embrace the dignity and value of every human life from conception until death; who understand the crushing danger of our unsustainable national debt; who believe deference to our Constitution outweighs partisan political priorities" to fight for these values.
"With the stakes so high for our nation and at this late stage in the process, I can no longer stand on the sidelines," he shares. "Just as the American Revolution required men and women devoted to liberty and freedom to stand up and be counted, this moment calls a new generation to the same sacred task. With that in mind, I have decided to pursue the cause of American renewal and the Presidency of the United States of America."
To read the full letter and find out more about McMullin's stance on current issues, visit www.evanmcmullin.com.