Joe Hamm
Republican | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joe Hamm
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 84
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven, B.A. in Political Science, 2009
WORK & MILITARY
Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Infantryman - Specialist, 6
AFFILIATIONS
Hepburn Baptist Church, Deacon, Lycoming County Republican Party
Chairman, Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police Commission, Commission Member
Community House and Development Corp., Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Hepburn Township Supervisor, 8
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Lycoming County Republican Committee
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Scott Metzger - Lycoming County Commissioner
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Garth Everett (2018)
Jeff Wheeland (2018)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2017)
State Republican Party Organizations (2019)
Stephanie Borowicz (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
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?
I am firmly opposed to abortion and don't believe under any circumstance it should be allowed.
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
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
We need to look at every line item in the budget. Every department in State Government needs to reduce their spending. Do more with less. We do it every day in our homes and at the local government level - it is time our state government abides by the same principles!
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.
Strongly 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?
Separation of Church and State means to me that government shall not infringe on our religious liberties and freedoms. It means that Government shall not prohibit the free exercise of religion.
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?
We need to allow the private market to function without the big hand of government interfering. Premiums have sky-rocketed under the Affordable Care Act.
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 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
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Individuals who go through the proper process to immigrate to the United States of America and wait to be legally admitted just as our ancestors did when they came to the United States of America should be allowed to immigrate to the United States of America.
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.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a born-again Christian. I believe that God sent His one and only Son to take on flesh and be the Living Word and to go to the Cross and die for my sins. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, I have been saved from my sins and will spend eternity with God.
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
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
As a Township Supervisor, I have never raised taxes. We cut expenses and stretch every penny of taxpayer money as far as we can. All 8 budgets that I approved as a Supervisor were balanced budgets. My Township has no debt and we don't borrow money we don't have. We've improved infrastructure, provided new recreational opportunities and always support our public safety officials such as our Volunteer Fire Company and Police Department. I served as an Infantryman in the Al-Anbar province of Iraq. I wore our Nation's uniform proudly for 6 years. I stand firm that a strong military is the way to peace. I served as a Deacon in my Church for 6 years. I stand firmly as pro-life, marriage being between one man and one woman and that our religious freedoms must be protected.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I earned my Bachelor of the Arts Degree in Political Science from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. I put my degree to work running for Township Supervisor at 26 years old. I have balanced budgets, improved infrastructure, provided new recreational opportunities in my community and supported my public safety agencies such as my Volunteer Fire Company and the Police Department. I am now serving my 9th year as Supervisor and my 7th year as Chairman of the Board. I have been the appointed Borough Manager in Jersey Shore Borough for nearly 8 years. Under my direction, Jersey Shore Borough has thrived with improved infrastructure, new and improved recreational opportunities, and an active transportation plan to continue to improve our community. I am the only candidate running for this office that has balanced budgets, improved infrastructure, improved or added recreational opportunities and directly supported public safety agencies in my communities.
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?
I've lived a life of service. I have served my Country as a member of the Army and I am a combat war Veteran. I have served my community as a volunteer firefighter, little league coach, and a Deacon in my church. I've served in local government as a Township Supervisor and Borough Manager. I've always served others and fought for our shared values - I want to take that same fight to Harrisburg to serve the residents of the 84th Legislative District in Lycoming and Union County.
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.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None - the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America protects our right to bear arms. Article 1, Section 21 in the Pennsylvania Constitution states the right to bear arms shall not be questioned.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
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?
1A. Fiscal Responsibility - a balanced budget; Don't spend what we don't have! 1B. Property Tax Elimination/Reform - find relief for homeowners who are driven out of their homes because property taxes continue to rise steadily. 2. Support to our Veterans - Veterans struggle every day to find a home, food, medication and/or employment. We need to take care of our Veterans! 3. Education Reform - less money in overhead, more money into the classroom!
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a problem that we still face in the United States of America. We need to continue to educate our youth and make sure that we eradicate racism from our great country. Love thy neighbor!
