Johnny Michael Baucom
LibertarianQ1 What policies, if any, do you support in regulating artificial intelligence use?
Man, that’s a lot, it shouldn’t be used for surveillance, security, or given a physical form to inhabit. I may be persuaded otherwise in the future, but that is my current stance until it is a more stable and reliable technology. The way Ukraine is currently using it is quite alarming. Saying this, I love AI, and it’s possibilities for the American economy.
Q2 Mississippi has an energy-intensive economy; about 78% of energy generated in the state in 2024 was natural gas-focused. What role, if any, do you see alternative forms of energy (such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal) playing in the mix of both Mississippian and American energy sources in the long term?
I love the aspect of alternative energy, and in a world ever growing and electrically hungry, there will always be ways to improve and expand our infrastructure. I’m most interested in hydrogen, and would like to deregulate is usage so we can explore it more on both clean water generation possibly utilizing graphene wafers, and the energy generation using hydrolysis. Also looking at replacing fuel usage with hydrogen, as it burns much cleaner and more efficiently.
Q3 Mississippi currently has approximately 20 data centers, with companies recently announcing major investments of $750 million to $25 billion to build data centers in the state. How do you see data centers impacting Mississippi’s, and the wider United States’, economy, livelihoods and environment?
I believe there are too many being put in too quickly. We needed to start with 1 to 3 and make it successful and more efficient so that there isn’t such an impact on the grid and water supply. Like I said, working on hydrogen energy, especially for data centers, may solve 2 problems with one method.
Q4 What policies, if any, do you support to sustain the agriculture, fisheries, and wildlife of both Mississippi and the United States
Ending the EUDR to allow our markets to be flooded with timber products, which would bring the prices down and allow materials used to build homes to be cheaper. Allowing homes to be cheaper when finished building, and older homes to be cheaper once the market’s prices are adjusted. Saying this in explanation, I understand that this will end the requirement of GPS data of Deforestation and if left unregulated may cause a problem. I’d expect that we’ve been in this business long enough that we know how to be conservative with our harvesting to ensure forestry is renewable, however. Noone wants to put themselves out of business. As far as all other environmental interests I will review as I am allowed to, and can always be expected to vote in the individual’s interest, never in the interest of business or government. My platform focuses on deregulation, and my stance is strick on policy. This means great things for the other questions you have.
Q5 Do you see community-based institutions like K–12 schools and community colleges playing a role in strengthening science and research across our state? If so, what policies do you support regarding these institutions?
I support school choice legislation and open curriculums that aren’t mandated so extensively. Allowing for competition between districts in education. A parent will want to send their child to the best school for them.
Q6 Do you think elected officials have a role in working with scientists to build the general public’s trust in science? If so, what plans do you have to work with scientists?
It is one of many duties. I will simply place public expectations to allow science to speak unfiltered. There is too much filtering and scrutiny in scientific studies and medical studies. There should be nothing that anyone should be scared to talk about when it comes to knowledge and understanding. It usually comes at the expense of the general public when there is a filter or censor.