Thomas (Tom) Willis II
Republican | West Virginia
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Thomas (Tom) Willis II
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 15
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, BA
Georgetown University, Washington, DC, LL.M
WORK & MILITARY
WV National Guard, Major, 18
AFFILIATIONS
Rick Herrera Foundation, Board of Directors
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
West Virginia Republican Assembly
West Virginia Freedom Caucus
OTHER (1)
Oil & Gas Workers Association
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
WV 2nd Amendment Coalition
Oil and Gas Workers Association
Vets4Coal PAC
Vets4VetLeadership PAC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Don Blankenship (2020)
Opportunity For Virginia (2018)
Republican National Committee (2017)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
Tom Willis participated in Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Life of the mother only. The Bible is clear life begins at conception (before I formed you in the womb I knew you).
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
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
The authority God gives to churches is separate and not less than the authority God give to the government. None come to mind
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
One of the top four threats to our Nation after 1) moral decline (that leads to 2, 3, &4), 2) national debt, 3) open borders.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Israel is a critically important ally. I have deployed to Israel and have great friends there. Israel has the highest number of new patents per capita in the world. Israel is the major military force in the Middle East. Israel is the only free democracy in the Middle East. Israel has large natural gas supplies critical to our European allies and global security. Our moral code and civilization are owed to the judo-christian roots from Israel. Finally, Gen. 12:3.
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.
A). No way. I have lived in countries like this and the systems are a disaster with long wait times, sub par care, and always short supplies. B). Possible but it won't work long term because the tendency is then for the Government to assume more and more control and push the private options out or control them. C). This option ignores taxpayer funding for military healthcare, for instance, which is needed. D). Same answer as C). The answer options here are a bit artificial and constricted.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I am for medical freedom for individuals to decide this for themselves, including the parents' right to choose for their children, and not the government.
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?
It feels good but usually harms those it is most intended to help by causing businesses to replace workers with machines or downsizing, thus reducing the number of these jobs. These jobs are best viewed as an entry into the workforce not a career.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
This should be legally actionable as a violation of the Board's fiduciary duties.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
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.
Strongly Agree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
Lawlessness must be pushed back on all fronts.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None that I can think of now. I am staunchly pro-gun / pro-2nd amendment. I have lived in countries where the police stole from friends (and tried to steal from me) because the police were the only ones with guns.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
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?
To incentivize behavior which is good, and to disincentivize behavior which is evil. To protect our borders, provide reliable justice and safety, and facilitate interstate and international relations.
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
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 a God-given, sacred right
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Follower of Jesus Christ since Oct, 2000. Believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible word of God and the key to life and wisdom.
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?
Yes. The enemy of our souls seeks to divide us on racial lines. Communism based on socio-economic status has been replaced by CRT. CRT is communism repackaged but along racial lines instead of socio-economic status. The left has shown historically violence is a justifiable means to an end. Thus, racism, in the form of CRT, is a threat to domestic security in the US.
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
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Coal and natural gas
