

Terri Bryant
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Terri Bryant
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 58
Incumbent
Yes
EDUCATION
John A Logan College, Carterville, IL, N/A
WORK & MILITARY
Illinois Dept. of Corrections, Public Service Admin., 20 Years
AFFILIATIONS
IL Gen Assem. Republican Downstate Caucus, Vice Chair, Christian Women's Fellowship,M'boro, IL
President, Jackson County Rep. Central Committee, Vice President
IL Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series, President, Advanced Energy Resource Board
Chairman, IL Gen Assem. Sportsman's Caucus, Board Member
Grand Avenue Christian Church, Sunday School Teacher
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Illinois State Rep. 115th District, 3 terms
Illinois State Senate, 2 terms
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2021-2022
100%
2022
100%
2016
65%, 71% (cum.)†
2022
79%, 68% (cum.)†
2021-2022
66%
2021-2022
|100%
2022
|100%
2016
|65%, 71% (cum.)†
2022
|79%, 68% (cum.)†
2021-2022
|66%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Illinois Right to Life
Pro-Family Alliance of Illinois
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
ABATE; Pro-Family Alliance; Illinois Citizens for Life PAC, Jefferson County Republican Central Committee; Randolph County Republican Central Committee
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (13)
Dave Severin (2023)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
Dan Brady (2022)
Darren Bailey (2022)
Patrick Windhorst (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (23)
Donald DeWitte (2023)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
Randy Frese (2023)
Dave Severin (2022)
Michael Connelly (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
International Brotherhood of Teamsters (2023)
National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2023)
International Union of Operating Engineers (2022)
American Federation of Teachers (2021)
Laborers International Union of North America (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2021)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
No elective abortions. Only under emergency situations when the life of the mother is in imminent danger.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I do not agree with a minimum wage. The market should drive salary.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Only when medical and religious exemption are permitted.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Very important. From a political standpoint it is key to control of the Suez Canal. From a religious standpoint, God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse her.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Border wall, air surveillance, ground monitoring devices, increase in border patrol personnel, troops if necessary.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Disagree
The Illinois Constitution requires funding of public education. Private education is optional. However, I support Invest in Kids. Invest in Kids is a means by which there is a win win as the public school funding formula has a hold harmless requirement, thereby ensuring public schools are still funded.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
This is the reason I filed SJCA 8 which provides that the right of a parent to determine his or her child’s education and healthcare shall not be infringed.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
I was one of 3 selected to speak on the floor of the Illinois Republican State Convention to defend the above statement. I received a standing ovation.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am an evangelical Christian. I believe the Bible is the infallible word of God. God created us because He desired to have fellowship w/us. He even came to the Garden in the cool of the day to walk w/and talk to Adam. He created us w/free will, but provided a means to return to Him even before we sinned. He came to Earth to dwell among us. He lived, was crucified, died, rose on the 3rd day -is coming to reclaim his own at the fulfillment of time. I have been married to Rick for 42 years. God has blessed us w/2 children & 6 grands. Our children know and serve Jesus. Our four eldest grandchildren have accepted Jesus. The two youngest are only one year old, but they are being raised in faith as well. My love for Jesus drives all I do.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism can be, but I do not believe the United States is systemically racist.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
A, C I believe the Earth is warming. I do not believe the warming is caused solely by CO2 emissions.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Coal and natural gas are the most stable and reliable at this time. Nuclear is a viable alternative as modular reactors become more available. I believe in an all inclusive energy policy for Illinois and the country as a whole.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The Constitution says it is to establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. I don’t think I can say it in a more complete or succinct way. It is to provide us with the means to have Life, Liberty, and to pursue happiness as long as we do not interfere with another citizens right to do the same.
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?
Conservative
On social issues, very Conservative, but always trying to be respectful.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The right to bear arms is a right that “shall not be infringed.”
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
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