Anthony Cook
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Anthony Cook
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 32
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Anderson University, Anderson, In, BA, 1973
Butler University, Indianapolis, MS, 1978
Purdue University, Lafayette, EdS, 1981
WORK & MILITARY
Education, Principal/Superintendent, 41
AFFILIATIONS
Arcadia Little League, coach, Cicero Little League
coach, Cicero Christian Church, deacon
Kiwanis Club, member, NRA
member, Supt. Assoc., Member/Commitees
Prin. Assoc., Member/committees, Chamber of Commerce
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 2014-2020
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2019)
Michael "Mike" Karickhoff (2017)
State Republican Party Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Hoosiers for Quality Education (2019)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2018)
Luke Kenley (2015)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates) (2019)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Rape, incest, and to save the mother.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Neutral
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
The federal government must reduce the federal debt and place a moratorium on new programs until the deficit is reduced. We have balanced the Indiana budget, emphasizing deregulation to reduce costs and allow the competitive free market to work. This has encouraged more businesses to move to Indiana, creating more jobs, putting people to work, and thus more individuals are paying current taxes. This works; I have voted to support this philosophy.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The government can not impose a church theocracy or regulate the religious activity of its citizens. The First Amendment to the US Constitution was designed to protect the right of Americans to freely practice their religion without government interference. The Indiana Constitution in Article I provides protection for free religious exercise and belief.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Neutral
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
In Indiana I have been in the Statehouse long enough to have worked with our HIP 2.0 plan, and I serve on the Family and Children Committee which oversees FSSA and DCS. We must maintain a system that emphasizes wellness plans and is adjusted for ability to pay. At the same time, as legislators, we need to monitor hospital and drug costs and seek solutions which will reduce these costs; maintaining transparency in costs will allow shopping for services and stop out-of-network and other hidden costs that were not apparent to patients. We are moving legislation to do this in Indiana, and I am totally supportive; next year we need to do all we can to drive down drug costs for all, especially the elderly. We have task forces now to share recommendations in this realm for next year.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Agree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who appropriately goes through our legal process of immigration and commits to becoming a citizen. Unfortunately, the federal government has not yet developed an efficient and appropriate plan that draws majority support.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in Jesus Christ and the Trinity and that Jesus is the son of God, and that believing in him is our salvation.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
My voting record indicates this and I have been awarded a certificate from the Conservative Union.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I was a government, economics, and history teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent of schools. I am used to developing policy, taking it to the public for input, and moving and implementing policy effectively. A principal and superintendent must do this throughout their career. I have degrees from three universities where I took multiple education, business, and administration classes. I have worked, supervised, managed, and led corporations and had to develop good human relations skills to accomplish results and motivate people to "buy-in" and want to follow. I enjoy helping others and being a good and productive public servant.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
Absolutely not!
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a dedicated public servant who walks the talk of what I believe. I am willing to listen and compromise when convinced another's idea may provide results for the good of all Hoosiers.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Background checks when purchasing a gun and maintaining all legal licensing must be required. I am not for greater restrictions on the law-abiding citizen. I would consider some safeguards at gun show sales.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Continued efforts to drive more money to the classroom teacher. Health care cost reduction measures Self-employed insurance improvements
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
We need to encourage as much education as possible at an early age in schools to combat racism and promote equality and respect for others, including their differences. Schools must ensure that instruction on the history of slavery and the civil rights movement and the Holocaust is provided.
