Teresa Kirkham

Republican | Tennessee

Candidate Profile*

Conservative (Conditional)

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Teresa Kirkham


Party

Republican


Election Year

2022


Election

Primary


Race

State Rep., Dist. 32


Incumbent

No


Links

Teresa Kirkham websites
Teresa Kirkham phones Teresa Kirkham emailFacebookLinkedIn

EDUCATION

Roane County High School, Kingston, High school diploma, 1976

University of Tennessee Certified Public Administrator, Knoxville

WORK & MILITARY

(Candidate did not provide)

AFFILIATIONS

Member The Grove Baptist Church, Harriman Rotary Club

President/Board Member, Rockwood Civitan Club, President/Board of DIrectors

Roane County Association of Women Executives, President/Board of Directors, Roane County Chamber of Commerce Athena Award

Woman of the year winner, Roane County Chamber of Commerce, Past Board Member

Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers, Board Member, Tennessee Assessor of the Year

East Tennessee Assessor Association, Board Member

National Rifle Association

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Roane County Assessor of Property, 19

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Candidate did not provide

Race

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)

Bob Corker (2006)

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2010)

Weston Wamp (2014)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE*

*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

I am 100% pro-life and believe that life begins at conception.

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

I am 100% pro-life and believe that life begins at conception.

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

Planned Parenthood should never receive one penny of taxpayer money.

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

Planned Parenthood should never receive one penny of taxpayer money.

I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Strongly Disagree

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?

We should always be looking at ways to lower taxes. I will never support a tax increase.

What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?

We should always be looking at ways to lower taxes. I will never support a tax increase.

What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?

Every government has wasteful spending. We need to conduct an annual audit of state government to find areas of waste that can be cut from the budget.

What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?

Every government has wasteful spending. We need to conduct an annual audit of state government to find areas of waste that can be cut from the budget.

Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.

Strongly Disagree

I support Tennessee Promise, which provides opportunities for students to attend 2-year community and technical college free of charge, but that should not be expanded to all four year colleges and universities.

Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.

Strongly Disagree

I support Tennessee Promise, which provides opportunities for students to attend 2-year community and technical college free of charge, but that should not be expanded to all four year colleges and universities.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree

Religious liberty is a foundation of our country and I will always protect the right of Christians to worship and practice our faith.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree

Religious liberty is a foundation of our country and I will always protect the right of Christians to worship and practice our faith.

Under what circumstances can government close churches?

Never. The first amendment protects freedom of religion. The government cannot and should not be allowed to close churches.

Under what circumstances can government close churches?

Never. The first amendment protects freedom of religion. The government cannot and should not be allowed to close churches.


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.

Medicare and Medicaid should remain available, but no other tax-payer funded programs are necessary.

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.

Medicare and Medicaid should remain available, but no other tax-payer funded programs are necessary.

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

No entity should ever be allowed to require COVID-19 vaccinations.

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

No entity should ever be allowed to require COVID-19 vaccinations.


NATIONAL SECURITY

What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?

1. Secure our southern border by finishing the wall! 2. Empower law enforcement in Tennessee by increasing their funding.

What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?

1. Secure our southern border by finishing the wall! 2. Empower law enforcement in Tennessee by increasing their funding.

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

I am a very strong supporter of Israel.

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

I am a very strong supporter of Israel.


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Strongly Agree

Build the wall!

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Strongly Agree

Build the wall!

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

We are a nation of immigrants and we are a nation of laws. Illegal immigration must be stopped!

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

We are a nation of immigrants and we are a nation of laws. Illegal immigration must be stopped!


EDUCATION

I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.

Strongly Agree

Parents know what is best for their children, not the government.

I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.

Strongly Agree

Parents know what is best for their children, not the government.


VALUES

Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.

Strongly Agree

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

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

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 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 am a Christian who believes in the truth of the Bible and who trusts in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a Christian who believes in the truth of the Bible and who trusts in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

Photo identification when voting is essential to election integrity.

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

Photo identification when voting is essential to election integrity.

What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?

Prohibit the use of drop boxes for ballots and require photo identification in all circumstances.

What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?

Prohibit the use of drop boxes for ballots and require photo identification in all circumstances.


EQUALITY

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

No. Our country was built on our shared values - no matter what color your skin is. We need to get back to teaching our children about the greatness of American and the American dream. The media significantly contributes to the divisions in our country.

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

No. Our country was built on our shared values - no matter what color your skin is. We need to get back to teaching our children about the greatness of American and the American dream. The media significantly contributes to the divisions in our country.

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree

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.

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

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?

The smaller the government the better! The government should exist to secure the rights and freedoms of citizens. Nothing more, nothing less.

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

The smaller the government the better! The government should exist to secure the rights and freedoms of citizens. Nothing more, nothing less.

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

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).

I am 100% pro-life, a strong supporter of the second amendment, and a lifelong conservative who believes that limited government is the best type of government.

Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).

I am 100% pro-life, a strong supporter of the second amendment, and a lifelong conservative who believes that limited government is the best type of government.

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.

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?

I am 100% pro-life, a strong supporter of the second amendment, and a lifelong conservative who believes that limited government is the best type of government.

What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?

I am 100% pro-life, a strong supporter of the second amendment, and a lifelong conservative who believes that limited government is the best type of government.


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

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 stand with law enforcement and support increasing their pay!

I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.

Strongly Disagree

I stand with law enforcement and support increasing their pay!


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

The second amendment is clear: our right to bear arms shall not be infringed.

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

The second amendment is clear: our right to bear arms shall not be infringed.

Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.

Strongly Disagree

Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.

Strongly Disagree

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