Israel Farless
Republican | Tennessee
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Israel Farless
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 24
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Lee University, Cleveland, TN, 2002
WORK & MILITARY
Capstone, Management, 2
Pacesetters, Insurance Adjuster, 3
AMS, Regional Manager, 1
Coyote Logistics, Account Manager, 1
Lawncare & Landscaping, Crew Leader, 15
AFFILIATIONS
Young Republicans, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Tennessee State Representative - District 24, 2018
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Pending
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Ideally, every human being should have the opportunity to experience life once conceived.. However, there are those rare occasions when abortion might be thoughtfully considered by some, such as when pregnancy results from an act of incest or when the life of the mother is in danger.. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that even in these cases every effort should be made to provide for an alternative such as adoption.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
It is my opinion that taxpayer money should never be allocated for abortion services.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
I believe that there is a sacred inherent dignity to life that should never be superceded by human thought or actions.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Overall simplification with improvements in technology and transparency so that all Tennesseans can have a better understanding as to how tax dollars are generated and spent. I strongly believe that Tennessee should remain an income tax-free state.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would eliminate any/all funding for abortion services. Our state budget has been balanced for the past two years. I would endeavor to keep Tennessee's future spending reasonable and on target.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
The Tennessee Promise Program is a very generous investment in the future of our youth and should be continued, but I do not feel that it should be expanded to include free tuition beyond the first two years.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I believe that each individual/business has the constitutional right to determine what services it will provide, to whom they will be provided, and under what circumstances.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never. Church activities should always be at the discretion of each congregation and its pastor.
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.
Although vitally important to ensure the fabric of sociey, there are no "perfect" options due to the complexity and diversity of our citizens. Given the choices provided, my position on healthcare comes closes to "C".
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Never. All healthcare decisions should solely be the at the discretion of each adult individual or legal guardian of a minor.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Make border security that includes extensive pre-screening of potential immigrants a top priority. Our country also needs to set a clarion example to all other nations as to the principles of sovereignty and citizenship.
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
Israel is entitled to be a sovereign nation.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The current federal administration's failure to guard our nation's border is a complete failure to the safety and national security of our homeland.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone should be allowed to apply, but all applicants must be required to meet current requirements for consideration without exception. No one should be admitted solely on the basis of race, gender or religion. The end-goal for all immigration applicants should be the desire to obtain a better life for themselves and their family members by immersing themselves in the American culture and way of life.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
I believe that parents should have the opportunity to choose the venue best suited to the needs of their children; however, I do not necessarily agree with making tax-payer funded vouchers a payment method for private school tuition.
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.
Strongly Disagree
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
I believe that CRT curriculum is in fact racist in nature.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a fundamentally devout conservative Christian. I believe that the Bible provides us with the framework for all human institutions including marriage, family, education, and government.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
There should be more transparency in the voting process including restrictions on absentee and mail-in ballots.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No, but race-baiting practices employed by many media outlets needs to be eliminated.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
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.
My views on energy and environment comes closest to "A", but I believe that we should strive for a happy medium somewhere between these two positions.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To serve and protect its citizenship while guarding and promoting the general welfare for all.
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).
My campaign team and I are currently working making my views more accessible to the public. I am vocal on Facebook and in local social and political gatherings concerning my conservative Christian views and values.
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?
The only true agenda I have while holding public office is to be a voice for my constituents and to provide them with fair, honest and transparent representation. I am very passionate about combatting the drug crisis as well as abortion.
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 generally agree with this premise, providing that the departmental policy is in line with our state and federal Constitutions.
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?
I believe in the 2nd Amendment as it is written.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
