Trey Wharton
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Trey Wharton
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 12
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, BBA - Finance, 1989
WORK & MILITARY
Wharton Insurance Network, full service, independent insurance agency offering all lines of insurance., Owner/Founder, 1991-present
AFFILIATIONS
Northside Baptist Church, Member, Huntsville Independent School District
Board of Trustees - various positions - Member, Secretary & President, Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer, Board Member (7 years) & Chairman (2019)
Huntsville Memorial Hospital Community Board, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Board of Trustees - Huntsville ISD, 8
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Greg Abbott
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Gov. Greg Abbott
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2021)
Ben Bius (2012)
Lois Kolkhorst (2008)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Byron & Charlene Sandel (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
None - life is precious and begins at conception
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Disagree
I do not agree with having chemical abortion drugs available.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
The government should not be allowed to close churches.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Individuals and businesses should be able to serve patrons that they want to serve. They should not be told who their customers have to be since they are the ones with who have taken on the exposure of owning a business and all the responsibilities that come with that. The patron can choose where to go, so the business owner should be able to choose their customers.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
This statement is becoming more of a reality each day.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
It is important, as Israel is basically the last democracy in that part of the world and they have been a long-time ally of the United States.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
The view that more closely matches my own view is C - 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?
I don't believe vaccinations should ever be "required". Information is available about each of vaccinations that parents/individuals are able to research and speak with their doctors about and make a decision that they feel is right for them.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are the backbone of what made this state and country great.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Minimum wage is not intended to be a permanent wage. It sets the starting point. Individuals earn wage increases by proving themselves worthy employees and doing well at their job.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
These issues should be part of the equation of where to invest public monies, but not the driving factor.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate notified iVoterGuide that the intended answer to this question should have been, "Absolutely not, this criteria should never, be used for any criteria in deciding where to invest public funds. ESG investing — a relatively subjective exercise — often represents the influence of illegitimate stakeholders, and therefore ends up being irresponsible, destructive, and counter to its stated goals." *This change was not considered during panel evaluations.”
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
This is more than obvious as our country is being invaded along the southern border. These are not families seeking refuge any longer. We are being invaded and trying to be taken over from the "inside" of our country.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Agree
Parents deserve the ability to choose the educational setting that they think is best for their child. Funding and accountability should follow the child wherever they attend school.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
We need to support law enforcement, not take funds away from them and then "hope for the best".
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The current registration laws when purchasing firearms are a good means of protecting the public safety.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Properly trained and licensed teachers should be able to carry guns. Several tragedies could have been minimized or avoided had there been staff members on the campuses that were able to carry.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The general purpose of government is to perform its core functions well and efficiently and then stay out of the rest. Government is not the solution to all of our problems.
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
As stated earlier, I was raised in a conservative Christian home and still hold those beliefs for myself and family.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised by a conservative Christian mother and still hold those values and beliefs to this day. My wife and I raised our children with this same belief system and values.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Without photo identification, we cannot be certain the actual registered voter is the one voting. We have to use our ID for every day items that are purchased, so why wouldn't we approve of using our ID for voting.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
If this was to be put into practice, none of the smaller states would make any determination as to who would win the Presidency. Only the large cities/states would make that determination. The Electoral College was devised long ago in order to prevent the popular vote making this determination and not giving smaller populated states a voice in the elections.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism can be a threat to domestic security. It can be portrayed in a manner that causes more divisiveness in the US and pit us against each other instead of working together for the common good.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
There are two genders - male and female. If males can compete in women's sports, then why do we have women's sports to begin with. As the father of a daughter, I am offended that a male could take away scholarship opportunities from females competing in college and then also expose himself to other females in the locker room/shelters/bathrooms, etc.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
The statement that is closest to my view is - Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. Legitimate business interests and private property use should not be obstructed or infringed upon by environmental laws.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Next generation nuclear power plants are the most reliable energy source going forward that can help with the growing demand for electricity.
