Mark Burns (California)

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Mark Burns
Image of Mark Burns
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 6, 2018

Mark Burns (Republican Party) ran for election to the California State Board of Equalization to represent District 2. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Burns completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

2018

See also: California State Board of Equalization election, 2018

General election

General election for California State Board of Equalization District 2

Malia Cohen defeated Mark Burns in the general election for California State Board of Equalization District 2 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Malia Cohen
Malia Cohen (D) Candidate Connection
 
72.8
 
2,482,171
Image of Mark Burns
Mark Burns (R) Candidate Connection
 
27.2
 
927,949

Total votes: 3,410,120
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Board of Equalization District 2

Malia Cohen and Mark Burns defeated Cathleen Galgiani and Barry Chang in the primary for California State Board of Equalization District 2 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Malia Cohen
Malia Cohen (D) Candidate Connection
 
38.7
 
723,355
Image of Mark Burns
Mark Burns (R) Candidate Connection
 
26.9
 
502,143
Image of Cathleen Galgiani
Cathleen Galgiani (D)
 
25.7
 
480,887
Image of Barry Chang
Barry Chang (D)
 
8.7
 
163,102

Total votes: 1,869,487
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.


Campaign themes

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Mark Burns participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on September 24, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Mark Burns's responses follow below.[1]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1) Ensure that all Californians receive fair treatment and have access to tax benefits accorded to them by state law.

2) Protect and enhance current tax law under Proposition 13 and Prop 110, Prop 60, Prop 90. 3) Promote clear and direct communication between the BOE, Tax and Appeal Depts., and all related government entities right down to each county’s tax assessor and tax collector to restore the integrity of the Board of Equalization.[2][3]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

Property tax law.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[3]

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Mark Burns answered the following:

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?

Self Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson[3]
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Experience and expertise in their area of governance and authority. Understanding that the right person who is best qualified should lead and take responsibility.[3]
What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?
I have demonstrated my ability to be an expert in property taxes, real estate matters, and spent more than 30 years serving on Boards of Directors of Non-Profits, Oversight Committees, Charitable Organizations, and Trade Organizations.[3]
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Understanding the complexities of real estate tax law, property assessment, fair and equal tax treatment for all Californians, and the impact these areas have on our economy.[3]
What legacy would you like to leave?
That I have restored the purpose and value of the Board of Equalization and through that have positively impacted our state and improved the lives of all who live in California.[3]
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?
The Assassination of President Kennedy. I was three years old and we were driving across country to visit my sister who had moved to Fresno. We stopped at a Holiday Inn in the Midwest during our trip.[3]
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Driving a flatbed truck in alfalfa fields picking up bales at harvest while a two man crew handled stacking and loading for delivery to the local feedstore in Hollister. I was 11 but never drove on the road until I got my license at 16.[3]
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Fourth of July. It was my Mother's Birthday and we believed as young children that the whole nation celebrated it with us.[3]
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government?
It is a single purpose and focused job dealing with the revenue stream that funds nearly 1/3 of the state's operating budget. Our work influences right down to the neighborhood level through school funding.[3]
What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?
Restoring the pride of all Californians in supporting an efficient and fair tax system designed to protect and enhance the lives of everyone in the state.[3]
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
I believe it is a detriment to continue to install termed-out lifelong politicians in positions they have little or no experience in so as to continue their careers in the public sector. You find a position that needs your knowledge and leadership skills, achieve your goals, and go back to private practice to continue to contribute there.[3]
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
A strong command of mathematics, statistics, complex analysis, empathy, and commitment to completing the job at hand.[3]

See also

California State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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External links

Footnotes

  1. Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
  2. Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Mark Burns's responses," September 24, 2018
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.