Steve Nass
Republican | Wisconsin
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Steve Nass
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 11
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI, M.S., 1990
UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI, B.S., 1978
WORK & MILITARY
Wisconsin Air National Guard, Chief Master Sgt., 33
AFFILIATIONS
American Legion, Post Commander, VFW
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Wisconsin State Senate, 8
Wisconsin State Assembly, 23
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2015-16
100%
2021-2022
100%
2017
91%, 94% (cum.)†
2021
91%, 94% (cum.)†
2021-2022
67%
2015-16
|100%
2021-2022
|100%
2017
|91%, 94% (cum.)†
2021
|91%, 94% (cum.)†
2021-2022
|67%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2015-16
11%, 27% (cum.)†
2017-18
20%
2019-20
38%, 16% (cum.)†
2012
F
2012
0%
2015-16
|11%, 27% (cum.)†
2017-18
|20%
2019-20
|38%, 16% (cum.)†
2012
|F
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (4)
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Wisconsin Family Action PAC
*Northeast Wisconsin Patriots
Wisconsin United For Freedom
OTHER (1)
*Dairy Business Association (DBA)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (10)
Allison Hetz (2016)
Bryan Steil (2020)
Frank Lasee (2016)
Howard Marklein (2009)
Joe Knilans (2012)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Diane Hendricks (2015)
Leon L Hebert (2013)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2014)
Prosperity Action (2016)
Wisconsin Builders Association (2012)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
International Union of Police Associations (2008)
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (2014)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
To protect the life of the mother
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
We have been slowly reducing the state income tax rates, but that process needs to accelerate in the next state budget. We need to eliminate more tax brackets and continue working towards a flatter and fairer system for families. I oppose increasing the state sales tax rate or in expanding the list of goods/services subject to sales taxes. The state is already collecting more revenues than is necessary and the problem we face is the choices of how state funds are being spent both at the state and local level.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The State of Wisconsin should utilize the "power of the purse strings" to reduce state funding to the UW System and other public educational institutions that promote indoctrination of students with CRT and other forms of socialism. I support significant reductions in state agency operations and regulatory authority to better reflect the public's expectation of less government.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
I don't believe the government should have any power to close churches. I believe the decisions regarding church operations in times of emergencies should be left to the faith leaders and parishioners.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
I recognize that our current healthcare system has issues and challenges that need to be addressed with solutions mostly based in the private sector. Even with the existing challenges, we have the best healthcare system in the world specifically because our system is based on private providers and care systems. Government-run healthcare would be a disaster for our country and lead to decreased levels of service/access for individuals. I oppose the further destruction of our healthcare system through the injection of socialism into the system.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
In Wisconsin, the only level of government that can require vaccinations is the state through a process that involves our elected state officials either through the passage of laws or the administrative rules process. I oppose any authority for local units of government to adopt vaccination mandates. I do not support employer vaccination mandates.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
As a member of the Wisconsin State Senate, we have limited powers as a state to address national security threats since that authority rests with our federal government. However, I support providing state and local law enforcement with the resources necessary to protect our citizens from crime and to assist federal law enforcement when appropriate. Regardless of the threat, I will always support the rights of law-abiding citizens to be able to defend themselves and their families.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
As a state senator, I have no ability to reform federal immigration laws. However, I support legal immigration through a process that properly reviews the background of anyone authorized to enter the country. Legal immigration is a positive for our society and economy if the process enables individuals with skills and abilities to enter and blocks those with criminal records.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
Parents are the primary stakeholders in their children's education.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God and participate in the life of my church. I believe strongly in the right of individuals to freely exercise their faith daily and without the interference of government.
Marriage between one man and one woman and the families they form are the foundation of civilization and are fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of Wisconsin.
Strongly Agree
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Below is a listing of election law reform bills that I supported this session. I have provided a link to all the information on these bills for your review: Senate Bill 203 – Relating to: the secure delivery of absentee ballots and providing a penalty. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 204 – Relating to: absentee ballot applications, unsolicited mailing or transmission of absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots, canvassing absentee ballots, electronic voter registration, and providing a penalty. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 205 – Relating to: absentee voting in certain residential care facilities and retirement homes and providing a penalty. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. Vetoed by Governor Evers. Assembly Bill 173 – Relating to: private resources used for election administration, appointment of election officials, and providing a penalty. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 210 – Relating to: election observers and providing a penalty. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 212 – Relating to: defects on absentee ballot certificates, certain kinds of election fraud, and providing a penalty. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 213 – Relating to: actions for violations of elections laws. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. Waiting on the Governor to sign it into law or veto it. VETOED by Governor Evers Senate Bill 292 – Relating to: broadcasting election night proceedings. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 936 – Relating to: the resolution of complaints filed with the Elections Commission, submitting to the legislature copies of complaints filed with the Elections Commission, reports concerning possible violations of election laws, postelection audits of electronic voting systems, printing absentee ballot applications for recounts, and granting rule-making authority. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 938 – Relating to: verifying citizenship of individuals on the official voter registration list and contents of operator's licenses and identification cards. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 939 – Relating to: absentee ballot applications, unsolicited mailing or transmission of absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots, secure delivery of absentee ballots, canvassing absentee ballots, voter registration requirements, electronic voter registration, and providing a penalty. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 940 – Relating to: comparison of voter information on the state's official voter registration list with information maintained by the Department of Transportation. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 941 – Relating to: overseeing the administration of elections. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 942 – Relating to: state agency compliance with election laws. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. Senate Bill 943 – Relating to: requiring the Elections Commission to send guidance documents to the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. PASSED in both houses of the legislature. VETOED by Governor Evers. SJR 101 – Relating to: prohibiting the use of a donation or grant of private resources for purposes of election administration and specifying who may perform tasks related to election administration (first consideration). This is an amendment to the state constitution and it passed both houses of the legislature. Governor Evers has no role in the process of state constitutional amendments. It will need to pass the legislature a second time after January 2023 before it can be sent to the voters for adoption or rejection in a statewide vote.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is not a threat to domestic security as asked by the question. The history of the United States is a complex mix of human failings and triumph, but always a consistent path forward to preserve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This country has addressed issues of racism and discrimination utilizing our constitutional and legal procedures. While at times this process can seem long and arduous, we have seen the people of this country reach solutions to the challenges that arise.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
I do not believe that stricter environmental laws and regulations are necessary to solve the issues we face. We have seen the private sector solve many environmental concerns through innovation, research and investment.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I believe the role of government is to preserve our constitutional rights and provide only those services necessary to society that the private sector can't readily provide.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
You may review the following links: https://twitter.com/sbauerap/status/1354157678449274881?lang=en https://madison.com/opinion/editorial/steve-nass-and-co-make-it-harder-to-fight-covid/article_4aab666e-1611-5c38-bf1b-78ac2d48f936.html https://wisconsinexaminer.com/brief/sen-nass-moves-to-kneecap-uw-systems-covid-measures/ https://fox11online.com/news/state/nass-asks-gop-leaders-to-sue-uw-system-over-covid-policies https://captimes.com/opinion/dave-zweifel/opinion-jennifer-mnookin-gets-a-withering-blast-of-gop-diplomacy/article_798e8bea-5c92-516a-9c99-dfecd4ebe7f0.html https://www.wkow.com/coronavirus/dhs-pushes-back-on-gop-lawmaker-s-move-to-block-uw-covid-policy/article_9f465a29-a30f-56bc-a924-13b0f2dd6f1a.html
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Did not answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
It is not gun ownership that is a threat to public safety. Liberal criminal justice policies and the liberal politicians that enact these policies enable criminals to make our communities unsafe.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
