Tom Bassett
Republican | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Tom Bassett
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Senate, Dist. 22
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Clarks Summit University, Clarks Summit, Bachelor of Music Ed, 2015
Kutztown University, Kutztown, Master of Music Ed, 2019
Kutztown University, Kutztown, ESL Certificate Program, 2021
Liberty University, Lynchburg, Doctor of Music Ed, In progress
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Northern Tier Symphony Orchestra, Principal Clarinet, Conductor, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, District 9
Member and Vice President, High Point Baptist Church, Music Leader, youth group teacher, certified Biblical counselor
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Volunteer Big
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (3)
Firearms Owners Against Crime
Pennsylvania Pro-life Federation PAC
Gun Owners of America Pennsylvania
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Build PA PAC (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
Thomas Bassett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
In extreme, life-threatening circumstances, the family/mother must be the decision makers as to how to proceed.
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?
Taxes must be reduced for citizens. I would like to remove the property tax funding of schools and replace with a sales tax or ad valorem tax system. This would result in less tax per individual and more individuals paying the tax. I would like to explore a phase-out system for senior citizens where they are exempt from most taxes.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Create expiration dates on spending bills to ensure they are regularly revisited and evaluated. Enact incentive-based raises for government jobs. Link legislators pay to the budget, if there is a deficit, there are no raises. Create objective evaluation metrics for government programs and if they are not achieving their goal, they can be cut or modified. Enact term limits on elected officials so there is no need for a pension, it will no longer be a career.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
I believe aid should continue to be offered and perhaps expanded in some circumstances, but the burden to pay for college should not fall on the taxpayers.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
The Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees the right to sincerely held beliefs. Article I Section 3: "All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship or to maintain any ministry against his consent; no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience..."
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
The government cannot 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.
C. Healthcare should be available to all those eligible in need. I have seen the system both work and be abused, but I believe it is necessary for the people who truly need it. We should continue to fight waste, fraud, and abuse as much as possible, but we must also take care of those in need.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
There are no circumstances in which the government can require vaccines. I believe an employer or school could require them, but not absolutely. They must accept any and all exemptions that individuals submit. Schools and employers have a responsibility for safety so they must be able to make requirements. On the other hand, parents or individuals are ultimately responsible for their own health. An exemption would acknowledge the entity took steps to try and create the best environment possible, according to what they thought was right, yet would retain medical freedom and responsibility with the individual.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Did not answer
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.
Choose not to answer
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Choose not to answer
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Did not answer
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
I support school choice, but this must be done carefully. Even if there was a choice, some families will never have a choice, and so we cannot crumble the public education system.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Neutral
Gender is already a protected class under the law.
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
Churches cannot be compelled to perform services that are not part of their sincerely held beliefs as protected by the Pennsylvania Constitution.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
I have read numerous primary sources on this topic. There are some valid points. There are ways in which we should be more inclusive in practices and honest about the past. Unfortunately, there are people who are racist. I do not believe, however, that our institutions are designed to be racist. Critical Race Theory came from Critical Theory, which is Marxist. In their own literature, they admit they choose to make race the reason for every problem. I do not agree with that.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and am involved at my church. I double majored in Music Education and Bible for my undergraduate degree. I also am a certified Biblical counselor. The Bible is very important to me as I believe it is the Word of God. I value objective truth and religious freedom. Everyone has a worldview, and mine is shaped by the Bible. I do believe in the separation of church and state. I do not believe in legislating any religion nor forcing others to adhere to my beliefs.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
We should show ID, but ID should be free to citizens so as not to create a secret voting tax or exclude those who cannot afford one.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Campaign finance reform is needed. We need to work together to create common sense laws that the public has confidence in. Our elections must be easy, accessible, above accusation, fair, and efficient. I do not believe our current system is meeting all of those standards. We must work together towards integrity.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
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.
A. I support having a cleaner environment, but this can be done through technological advancements in the private sector. In Pennsylvania, we are seeing this unfold firsthand. RGGI was placed upon us and now our energy bills have gone up twice. I know multiple people, including myself, who used less energy and had a higher bill. Regulations such as these end up being unfunded mandates and are ultimately passed on to the people to fund.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
I would be willing to explore regulations on where fracking can occur.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I believe the general purpose of government is to restrain evil and to protect in times of war.
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
My views reflect a range from moderate to very conservative, depending on the issue.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
The ActiVote App places candidates in a 10x10 quadrant. The left and right each have 5 squares from the middle. I was placed touching the line between squares 2 and 3 from the middle.
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 want people to know that I am a regular person. I grew up poor with a single mother who is also a cancer survivor. I worked hard to become a music teacher and currently own a home in downtown Pittston. My story is like so many others around me. Electing regular people to represent us and enacting term limits is one of the best ways to have a government of the people. I am not seeking a career change, and I have promised to serve no more than 2 terms if elected.
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
We should strive to have both well-funded police departments and community programs.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Proven law-abiding citizens should not have restrictions. The Pennsylvania Constitution states in Article I, Section 21, "The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned."
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
