Torrey Westrom
Republican | Minnesota
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Torrey Westrom
Party
Republican
Election Year
2014
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 7
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Bemidji State University, Bemidji, BA, 1995
William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, JD, 2003
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Grace Free Church, Member, NRA
Member, Chamber of Commerce, Member
MN Teen Challenge, Contributor, Farm Bureau
Member, American Council of the Blind, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Minnesota State Senator, 2012-Present
Minnesota State Representative, 1996-2012
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
(None listed.)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (62)
Alan Nunnelee
Andrew Harris
Associated Builders and Contractors
Believe in Life Liberty Yourself
Big Red PAC
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Badlands PAC
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
1. Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and are the key to national prosperity.
Strongly Agree
2. It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.
Disagree
3. The United States must maintain a nuclear arsenal that is safe, reliable, modern and numerically superior to those of potential adversaries.
Strongly Agree
4. Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry of persons into the country.
Strongly Agree
5. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) should be repealed by Congress.
Strongly Agree
6. Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
7. Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
8. Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.
Strongly Disagree
9. Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
10. Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions when these are not economically feasible.
Neutral
11. More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
12. The founders established pure democracy in the Constitution because they believed that it is the best form of government to ensure the safety and equitable treatment of all citizens.
Strongly Agree
13. People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
14. The federal government should establish nationwide standards (such as Common Core) for high-school graduation.
Strongly Disagree
15. What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers within the Constitution?
James Madison wrote, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." He and our other Founding Fathers knew, however, that men are not angels, and that they have a selfish and greedy nature requiring checks to counteract man's inherent self-interestedness. The separation of powers brilliantly establishes a natural balance of order and oversight, so no branch may become too powerful. This founding tenant of American government has protected freedom many times against tyranny.
16. Briefly list three (3) political or legislative issues of most concern to you, and explain why each is important to you.
Balancing the Budget: In Minnesota, we have to balance the budget by law, because government owes it to Americans to be good and trustworthy stewards of their tax dollars. I support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution to force Congress to live within its means. Reigning in Big Government: The Obama Administration's regulatory expansion is unprecedented. Whether it's ObamaCare or the EPA, Minnesotans I talk to repeatedly say their biggest concern is new, unpredictable government regulations that will affect their livelihoods and their families. It's time to stand up to Big Government and roll back its reach. Strong National Defense. Keeping America's military capabilities strong must be a top priority. An increasingly aggressive Russian and the rising threat of ISIS are enough to illustrate the absolute necessity of a robust, advanced defense program. Part of defense is also providing for veterans who have given so much by reforming the VA to meet their needs.
17. Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?
I believe that all life is sacred from the time of conception. As a husband and a father, I have always believed that it is our God-given duty to protect the unborn and preserve the dignity of life. As a legislator and public official, my record has always been pro-life and in support of traditional family values. In particular, I have been a vocal opponent of any policy that would use taxpayer money to support abortion, or force religious organization to provide health coverage for procedures that go against their core religious beliefs.
18. Based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, please arrange the following entities, starting with the highest source of authority, and continue the list in descending order of authority, skipping any that do not apply: Academia, Congress, Constitution, God, Industry, Media, Professional Sports, Supreme Court, Voters.
God, Voters, Constitution, Congress, Supreme Court, Media, Industry.
19. Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Quite simply, I am a Christian. I was raised in a religious household, where we were taught Christian morals and values through Scripture. Now, as we raise our own three children, my wife and I seek every day to live according to God's mercy and grace. I believe that our gifts and rights come from the Creator, not government, which has always guided me through difficult decisions in office.
