Tom Wichlinski
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Tom Wichlinski
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 12
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Bishop Noll Institute, Hammond, HS, 1983
Purdue University, West Lafayette, BS, 1987
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Griffith Republican Central Committee, Chairman, Griffith BZA
Secretary, Griffith EDC, Chairman
Griffith Knights of Columbus, 3rd Degree, Little Calumet River Basin Commission
Vice Chairman, St. James Help Services, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (1)
Indiana Farm Bureau
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Griffith FOP
Griffith Town Council & Clerk Treasurer
LC GOP Chair Dan Dernulc
Former Congressman & AG Candidate Todd Rokita
Governor Eric Holcomb
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
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
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
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?
Did not answer
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Did not answer
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Neutral
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
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 examine all redundancy try and eliminate overlap to ensure a balanced budget. We also should look at any unneeded burdensome regulations that can stifle business growth. A growing state means growing revenue. Taxpayers know how to spend the money they earn better than government.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
We need to examine all redundancy try and eliminate overlap to ensure a balanced budget. We also should look at any unneeded burdensome regulations that can stifle business growth. A growing state means growing revenue. Taxpayers know how to spend the money they earn better than government.
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.
Agree
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.
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
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
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
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?
Many local and state Governments over the past few months used their power to shut down churches and continue to do so. They have absolutely no right to restrict religious freedoms. This activity must end and people should be allowed to worship. No laws or restrictions to religious liberty must be infringed upon by any level of government. Equally the pulpit should not be used for political purposes. Religion belongs in Church.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Many local and state Governments over the past few months used their power to shut down churches and continue to do so. They have absolutely no right to restrict religious freedoms. This activity must end and people should be allowed to worship. No laws or restrictions to religious liberty must be infringed upon by any level of government. Equally the pulpit should not be used for political purposes. Religion belongs in Church.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Neutral
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?
I believe the Healthy Indiana Plan could be a model for the entire country and the Legislature should continue to support this plan.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I believe the Healthy Indiana Plan could be a model for the entire country and the Legislature should continue to support this plan.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
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
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
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?
We have a current LEGAL immigration system in which we allow people from all over the world to come and live the American Dream. We need to preserve those ideals. If people want to become American Citizens it must be done legally.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We have a current LEGAL immigration system in which we allow people from all over the world to come and live the American Dream. We need to preserve those ideals. If people want to become American Citizens it must be done legally.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
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.
Neutral
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a practicing Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus. I believe in the Golden Rule and that a good spiritual life helps guide important decisions on Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness of every American.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a practicing Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus. I believe in the Golden Rule and that a good spiritual life helps guide important decisions on Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness of every American.
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
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.
While serving on the board of the Little Calumet River Basin Commission we constantly question how our spending decisions affect the taxpayers of our area. While involved with the Town Of Griffith we fought the over taxation and wasteful spending of Calumet Township and successfully succeeded from Calumet Township. I personally testified in front of an Indiana House Committee during the last session asking for help in succession. I have been a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 15 years. The Knights promote Religious Liberty, Charity and Life.
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
While serving on the board of the Little Calumet River Basin Commission we constantly question how our spending decisions affect the taxpayers of our area. While involved with the Town Of Griffith we fought the over taxation and wasteful spending of Calumet Township and successfully succeeded from Calumet Township. I personally testified in front of an Indiana House Committee during the last session asking for help in succession. I have been a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 15 years. The Knights promote Religious Liberty, Charity and Life.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a degree from Purdue University in Construction Technology. I have spent 30 years in the private sector in various roles in the construction process. During my 30 years of experience I spent 3 years as a small business owner of which I employed people and ran the day to day business operations. I believe signing the front of a paycheck gives people a keen understanding of how difficult it is to run a small business.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a degree from Purdue University in Construction Technology. I have spent 30 years in the private sector in various roles in the construction process. During my 30 years of experience I spent 3 years as a small business owner of which I employed people and ran the day to day business operations. I believe signing the front of a paycheck gives people a keen understanding of how difficult it is to run a small business.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
If elected I can be an important voice in the Indiana Legislature where and elected Republican from Northwest Indiana can be an important voice in a supermajority in Indianapolis. Northwest Indiana is seeing a huge migration of people escaping the high taxes from our neighboring states. The 12th District is strategically positioned to see huge influx of Illinois Companies looking to relocate. The 12th district must have a voice in Indianapolis to secure needed dollars for the West Ridge Communities to support that influx thru Economic Development Grants and Dollars needed for any infrastructure. My tenure on the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission has given me the insight to understand the needs of the 12th district and how I can use that institutional knowledge to aid the residents of the 12th District.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
If elected I can be an important voice in the Indiana Legislature where and elected Republican from Northwest Indiana can be an important voice in a supermajority in Indianapolis. Northwest Indiana is seeing a huge migration of people escaping the high taxes from our neighboring states. The 12th District is strategically positioned to see huge influx of Illinois Companies looking to relocate. The 12th district must have a voice in Indianapolis to secure needed dollars for the West Ridge Communities to support that influx thru Economic Development Grants and Dollars needed for any infrastructure. My tenure on the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission has given me the insight to understand the needs of the 12th district and how I can use that institutional knowledge to aid the residents of the 12th District.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
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
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No Answer
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No Answer
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe the current system provides adequate protections for public safety. The current laws on the books need to be enforced.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe the current system provides adequate protections for public safety. The current laws on the books need to be enforced.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
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?
Support Indiana's current prudent fiscal path that sets Indiana apart from our neighboring states. Limiting and streamlining Government to save Taxpayer dollars. Protection of religious Liberty and property rights.
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Support Indiana's current prudent fiscal path that sets Indiana apart from our neighboring states. Limiting and streamlining Government to save Taxpayer dollars. Protection of religious Liberty and property rights.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
To paint with a broad brush that America is a racist nation is inaccurate. I grew up in and area that is diverse and went to a High School that was diverse. Yes there were individuals that had racist attitudes but to say there was systemic racism I did not personally witness it. I believe most Americans are good hearted and support one another regardless of race, creed or color.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
To paint with a broad brush that America is a racist nation is inaccurate. I grew up in and area that is diverse and went to a High School that was diverse. Yes there were individuals that had racist attitudes but to say there was systemic racism I did not personally witness it. I believe most Americans are good hearted and support one another regardless of race, creed or color.
