Pratik Bhakta
Republican | North Carolina
Candidate Profile*
Moderate
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Pratik Bhakta
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 115
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, Electrical Engineering, 1994
Enka High School, Enka, Graduate, 1990
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Asian American Hotel Owners Association, Former NC Regional Director
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Chuck Edwards (2018)
Madison Cawthorn (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Rape, Incest or Medical Health extremely detrimental to the mother or child.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
If Roe v. Wade is overturned by the US Supreme Court, how far are you willing to go to roll back North Carolina's statutory abortion law that allows abortion up to 20 weeks?
I would need to do a deeper dive into this to see what the majority of constituents want before making a stance on how far we would roll back the existing law.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
Would you support a limitation on chemical abortion that protects women from taking abortion pills without the care and supervision of a qualified physician?
Choose not to answer
ECONOMY
The government should do more to close the gap between the working class and the wealthy.
Disagree
The government should not be interfering with people's ability to earn a living or bridging the gap. The more government is involved, the more we become a socialistic society. Socialism continues to fail in many countries and America cannot afford to turn to socialism.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I'd look for any availability of lowering taxes, especially in this time where inflation is out of control, and everything is so much more expensive.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Government should stay out of religious freedoms including the freedom to assemble.
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
It should be very limited.
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
B. The healthcare should be available to all those that want it, with the ability to have competing providers to keep costs down.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Healthcare is the individuals right and responsibility. The government should not force anyone to take vaccinations.
EDUCATION
States should allow parents to use the Opportunity Scholarship Program to fund private school for their children.
Neutral
In what situations does a parent not have the right to know what their child is being taught in public school?
Parents have every right to know what their child is being taught in school. There should be no exceptions.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
Parents should be allowed to voice their concerns at school board meetings. This should never be circumvented. However, it must be done in a civilized manner, but nonetheless, be allowed at the appropriate designated times.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
Moral values are not limited to Judeo-Christian values only. Being Hindu, our values are very similar and it is family values that are the core principles of good and limited government.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Non-discrimination laws are wide and varied already.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
CRT should not be taught in our schools.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Hindu, and we have very high spiritual beliefs similar to the Judeo-Christian beliefs. We have moral values to help our fellow man/woman and treat them with respect.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
We have photo ID's to do just about anything today, including driving our vehicles. The argument that somehow requiring voters to prove their identity before voting suppresses votes is inherently false.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
We need to enact the approved Voter ID referendum approved by the voters of NC.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is not systemic as many pundits will claim. If it were, we'd see many laws and policies that would validate their claims. I'd welcome the opportunity to fix any legislation that shows concrete proof of racism.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect the people and to provide laws to have a civil society and individuals to be treated fairly, equally, and safely.
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
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
My facebook group page have links to my past interviews and speaking engagement videos.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Please visit my website for more detailed information www.Pratik4NC.com
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Current gun laws are fair.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Would you support legislation that prohibits biological boys from competing on girls sports teams?
Yes
