Thad Claggett
Republican | Ohio
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Thad Claggett
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 71
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Ohio Northern University, Ada, BS Civil Engineering, minor in Business Administra, 1994
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Masters of Theological Studies
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
New Albany Evangelical Free Church, Head Deacon, Board Member, Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio
Chair, Board of Directors, Licking County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
Licking County Library, Chair, Board of Directors
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio
Conservative Republican Leadership Committee
Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio
Ohio Citizens PAC
Americans for Prosperity
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Kristina Roegner (2018)
Mike DeWine (2006)
Tim Schaffer (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
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
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Generally none. It is extremely rare that unborn baby would pose a real threat to the mother’s life, and in that rare occurrence it would be a decision between the parents and the doctor and every possible attempt to save the baby should be made.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Ohio law already requires a balanced budget, but spending should be much lower so that the taxpayers’ burden is lower. I will support legislation to eliminate or considerably reduce Medicaid expansion which is nearly 50% of our entire budget, and require additional safeguards to limit fraud and abuse for food stamps, Medicaid and welfare so only the truly needy get help. I will also offer legislation to reduce wasteful government spending at the state and local level by incentivizing fair and op
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
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
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
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.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The idea of the separation of church and state has been misinterpreted and inappropriately applied based upon President Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists. Jefferson, and the Constitution, used the first amendment to keep government from establishing a national denomination and to make clear that government does not have the right to interfere in a Christian’s expression of their faith, whether that person is in a church building, a business, a government building or public space.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I support the free market system and would encourage, as much as possible, an increase in insurance choices for customers. I believe it would be wise to look at options such as placing urgent care centers outside of emergency rooms to triage patients and cut the ER costs. Allowing insurance companies to sell policies across state lines will also increase competition and drive down costs.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
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
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
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.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Foreign nationals who are immediately able to contribute to our vibrant economy and who share and appreciate our American values as well as refugees who have no other relocation options, no opportunity to return to their own homeland and who share and appreciate our American values.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
The Apostles' Creed sums up my views well: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
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?
Very Conservative
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
https://www.claggettforohio.com/endorsements https://www.claggettforohio.com/about-thad https://www.claggettforohio.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTnuJgILzGSyq3imj6MsESA https://www.facebook.com/Claggett-For-Ohio-103117627898141/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I believe I am best able to represent the 71st House District because I am the product of my family history: 135 years on the same road in the county and our businesses that have employed hundreds of my Licking County neighbors for more than 67 years to start. I have served in my church as a deacon for 2 decades. My time volunteering for our Licking County Library Board for 14 years and currently as Chairman has shown me many things about the interaction of State government and local entities. I am a past board member on the Licking County Chamber of Commerce. My company has had numerous interactions with state agencies via state construction contracts which have helped me understand areas of our government that are in need of reform. I have been very involved with Ohio politics over the last 15 years. I have had significant input on various bills and have testified in committee at the State House on various matters.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a businessman not a politician. I have never run for elected office. I am running now because I believe Licking County citizens deserve to have men and women represent them at the Statehouse who share their values, have integrity and are neither bought nor owned by political power brokers. I have a passion for Ohio and America due to the greatness of our founding documents which have made us the beacon of liberty to all people. It is precisely in the understanding of the history of our constitution and related documents that have made us the exception to other failed governments that drives me to help strengthen the path that will allow the citizens of Ohio to be the most free and prosperous people anywhere in the world.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Constitution does not provide for limits, however I support our state restricting felons and those who have been adjudicated as mentally incompetent (although not via the path of current red flag laws or "pink flag" laws). In both types of cases, these people should have a clear path back to the full reinstatement of their rights after their rehabilitation is complete.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Second Amendment Protection 2. Religious Freedom 3. Government deregulation
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
The current view that racism is inherent in the great American experiment, established by mainstream media, Hollywood, the Democratic Party and their Leftist allies such as Antifa, is the threat to our domestic security.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Survey responses were submitted by the candidate after the survey deadline was reached and were not considered during panel evaluations.
