David Perry
Republican | North Carolina
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
David Perry
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 19
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Rivier College, Nashua, NH, M.Ed., 1992
Gordon College, Wenham, MA, B.A., 1987
WORK & MILITARY
Corning Incorporated, Senior Software Engineer, 5
Thirty One Gifts, Senior Applications Developer, 5
Nationwide Insurance, Applications Specialist, 4
Rapid Response Marketing, Sr. IT Manager, 10
AFFILIATIONS
NC Republican Liberty Caucus, Board Member, 9/2019 - Present, Liberty Live Education Association
Chair, 11/2016 - Present, Libertarian Party of North Carolina, Judiciary Committee Member, 6/2017 - 5/2019
Libertarian Party of New Hanover County, Treasurer, 6/2016 - 5/2019
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
NC House of Representatives, 2018
Race
Previous Races
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly 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
If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, North Carolina should repeal its law allowing abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Abortion should only be allowed when the pregnant mother is at grave risk of experiencing a life-threatening or extremely serious physiological condition. No exceptions should be made for "emotional health" or "mental trauma." Even in these rare cases, abortion should only be allowed in the extremely rare case. Most of the time the doctor can end the pregnancy without killing the unborn child through abortion, by inducing early delivery or through Caesarean Section. The newly born child at least has a chance to survive in these instances. If they do die, then it will be according to God's will, and not due to abortion. However, I would retain an exception for abortion, when early inducement methods are not possible, or if such methods would constitute a grave risk to the life or physiological health of the mother.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
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.
Neutral
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?
Some will say that the United States was founded as a Christian nation. I disagree. However, it was formed as a Theistic Nation; one that believes that God is the source of our unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which our government has a solemn duty to secure. Many on the left believe the "separation of church and state" is an absolute wall between religion and government. I disagree. The Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment simply promotes the idea that individuals should decide on their own on who the God of the Declaration of Independence is, and how they should worship him. We should never form a State Church, and we must never favor one religion over another, or religion over non-religion. However, that also means that we should not favor secularism (or non-religion) over religiously based viewpoints. God should definitely be in the "public square", and religious discrimination is abhorrent.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
The best way to promote affordable and adequate healthcare coverage is NOT to expand Medicaid or other government programs. Instead, our government needs to promote choice and competition in the health insurance market. We should incentivize turning the health insurance market away from group policies to a health insurance market that sells to individuals. Like it is with car insurance, competition within the industry will happen, and the costs of premiums will be reduced. I would create something similar to an HSA, except that the individual will be able to use monies in that account to pay the premiums on the health insurance policy of their choice. Employers offering a health benefit could simply deposit money into their employee's HSA. The employee, could have pre-tax dollars deposited into their HSA. If we continue to offer public assistance in this area, then the government can deposit money into the HSA. The result will be less costly and portable health insurance.
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.
Strongly Agree
State, sheriff and local law enforcement agencies should be required to participate in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) Program to enhance the safety and security of their communities to identify and detain aliens.
Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who can pass a medical and security screening. We must secure our border. We must eliminate government assistance to immigrants. However, all immigrants who can pass a medical and security screening should be allowed to LEGALLY immigrate to the United States. Like my Irish and Italian ancestors, we must grant them the opportunity to work hard, fulfill the same American Dream that we all have enjoyed, and to better themselves and their families. We need to establish expedited legal immigration checkpoints. Once all of this is done, then immigrants who are here illegally should be allowed to go through the same aforementioned medical and security screenings. If they can pass then they can stay here legally. If they fail then they should be deported.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Disagree
Parents should have the right to know what schools are teaching their children about sex and LGBT issues and should have the right to opt their children out of any instruction to which they object.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe that God created every man, woman, and child in his image. He bestows upon us certain unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. While human beings are capable of much good, due to the fallen nature of mankind, we are also capable of much evil. Therefore, he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, so that we can obtain transformation and salvation in this life, and in the afterlife. Human beings are not robots. He desires that we choose to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and to invite his Holy Spirit into our lives. He desires that we choose to act charitably towards our fellow human beings, and to love God, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This type of morality should never be forced by our government. We must always be free to accept or reject God's plan for our life. Government should only concern itself to its limited mission of securing our unalienable rights.
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.
I would consider myself a Libertarian Conservative. A fairly accurate general description of that political philosophy can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_conservatism The basis of much of my political thought is John Locke, and the writings of Jefferson and other founders of our country. Most of my positions pertaining to state issues can be found here: http://perry4nc.com/principlesmatter/ Immigration is properly a federal issue. I do not believe in "open borders" but I do believe in open and legal immigration, without quotas. We should have a secure border, but anyone who can pass a medical and security check should be legally allowed to immigrate to our country. They should not get government assistance, but granted the opportunity to work hard and better their lives in America. As for state cooperation with ICE, I have no problem with general cooperation. However, our state should not be expending vast amounts of resources to enforce federal law.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a proud graduate of Gordon College; an evangelical Christian school located in Wenham, MA. I received my B.A. from there in 1987. I believe my major in History, and my minors in Biblical Studies and Philosophy gave me the tools to be a great citizen statesman. I received my M.Ed. from Rivier College (in Nashua, NH) in 1992. I believe this helped me gain the ability to educate and communicate effectively with my constituents. My 25 years of experience as Software Engineer has also qualified me to be a great legislator. A good Software Engineer is NOT a "code monkey." Rather, they must effectively work with a range of business leaders in order to understand the shortcomings of current business processes, and to develop new and more effective business processes through the aid of new technology. While principles of good software design must always be kept in mind, the good Software Engineer is always asking "What if?"
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Unlike many who run for political office, I have no ambition to "move up" or become part of the political elite. I simply wish to serve as the kind of citizen statesman our Founders envisioned. I will not "tow the party line" once I am elected to the General Assembly. I will listen to all of my constituents with respect. Ultimately, I will base my legislative actions on the facts before me, and the principles I stand for. I will not stick my finger in the air in order to see which way the political winds are blowing. Instead, you can count on me to serve the people of NC House District 19 with integrity.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. "Shall not be infringed" means what it says. Temporary or permanent loss of gun rights should only be part of the criminal punishment given to those who have been convicted of a crime related to gun violence. More info: http://perry4nc.com/principles-matter/gun-rights/
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1) Eliminate State Income Tax, by dramatically reducing the size and scope of state government. More info: http://perry4nc.com/principles-matter/income-tax/ 2) End Corporate Welfare, saving taxpayers 100s of millions of dollars. More info: http://perry4nc.com/principles-matter/corporate-welfare/ 3) Legalize Medical Cannabis, which will combat the opioid crisis and let doctors and patients decide on optimal health treatments. More info: http://perry4nc.com/principles-matter/medical-cannabis/
