Spencer Deery
Republican | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Spencer Deery
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 23
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Brigham Young Univesity, Communications
George Washington University, Masters in Public Administration
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Freedom Political Action Committee (2021)
Hoosiers for Economic Growth (2021)
Hoosiers for Quality Education (2021)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe government should defend the lives of the innocent and the preborn. In December of 2016, our family lost a baby boy halfway into the pregnancy. Stillborn in the second trimester, Elias Deery was delivered in a labor and delivery wing of the hospital like our other children. He had all his fingers, a brain, and up until his death, a beating heart. We loved him. We held him, and the loss was real. But Eli’s life wasn't valuable simply because he was wanted. I find the idea that someone can choose away the humanity of babies because they are undesired to be horribly misguided. As your state senator, I will defend the right to life for all, especially the most innocent. A mother whose life is seriously endangered by a pregnancy should be able to consult God for guidance, rather than have her future dictated by the government.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
To paraphrase Ben Franklin, nothing is certain but death and taxes. The implication for tax reform is that most tax revisions end up shifting one burden to another. That’s why for me, it’s less a question of the specific tax changes and instead the principles we should follow when seeking to make changes. First, we should recognize that taxes disrupt markets and change behavior. As such, I would rather error on the side of taxing things that are bad for Indiana like tobacco and vaping than taxing work, hiring or forming a family. Second, we should keep taxes low and avoid generating more revenue than we need. It isn’t the government’s money; it’s yours. Third, taxes should be transparent. Fourth, taxes should treat Hoosiers and Hoosier businesses in similar situations in a similar way. Special breaks for politically connected industries usually just end up being corporate welfare.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Indiana has a AAA credit rating and a constitution that requires a balanced budget. I will fight for continued fiscal responsibility.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
I do not support free college for everyone, especially the wealthy. I do support expanding access and affordability to community college, vocational training and other higher education.
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?
I struggle to think of any circumstances that would justify such an infringement on religious liberty.
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.
Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
One of the things that makes Americans who we are is that we don’t like to be told what to do. As such, mandates do not work and I oppose them.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Although this is largely a role for our federal government, Indiana law enforcement should be supported in efforts to protect Hoosiers from all threats and extremists.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
This is currently a role for federal government and generally should remain as such so that states like California are not setting immigration policy for Indiana.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
The federal government already extends certain protections. I would want to understand more than I do why some feel those protections are inadequate and what such an addition might mean for people of faith and faith based organizations.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Strongly Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe we are all children of God with a Father in Heaven who loves us and knows us individually. Through the gift of our Savior Jesus Christ, we can return to live with Him. I strive to follow the example of our Savior and to teach my children to do the same by caring for others and standing for what’s right at all times, even when that may be unpopular.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I support reforms that would require an identification to apply online for an absentee ballot.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Violent terrorists and violent hate based groups of all ideologies should be resisted and pursued by law enforcement whether they are white supremacists, antifa, or Islamic extremists.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect the God-given rights and security of its citizens and to create the conditions in which its people can live their best lives, based on their respective talents and work ethic.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
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?
? Championing the Right to Life ? Defending 2nd Amendment Rights ? Fighting for Fiscal Responsibility ? Protecting our Rural Communities ? Leading for Economic Growth & Opportunity
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I support expanding mental health and community programs but it should not be diverted from law enforcement.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The equation for safety equals good guys with guns (law enforcement and citizens) minus bad guys with guns. Public policy should reflect that. As such, the right for law abiding citizens to carry firearms should not be infringed.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
