Thomas M. Salkovick

Republican | West Virginia

Candidate Profile

Leans Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Thomas M. Salkovick


Party

Republican


Election Year

2024


Election

General


Race

House of Delegates, Dist. 5


Incumbent

No


Links

Thomas M. Salkovick websites FacebookX

EDUCATION

Candidate did not provide

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

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (1)

West Virginia Citizens Defense League

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Personal opinion never, but situational factors such as where pregnancy results from situations such as rape or incest, or when the individual’s life circumstances make parenting unfeasible.

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.

Agree

Chemical abortion drugs should require an in-person consultation with a medical doctor to ensure safety and proper guidance. Additionally, implementing a reporting system for reactions and outcomes is essential for monitoring efficacy and improving safety standards.

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

Agree

Taxpayer money should not go to abortions, but funding should be kept in place for broader healthcare services like contraception and cancer screenings because cutting them could limit access to essential reproductive care.

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

Disagree

I do not support 'aid in dying' laws that legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia, as I have concerns about the ethical implications and potential for abuse. However, I understand that these laws are important to many people who seek control over their end-of-life decisions and wish to address suffering in a compassionate way.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Under what circumstances can government close churches?

None, unless a specific church is found guilty in a court of law of being a criminal enterprise. Such as a scam or racket so to speak. Unfortunately, some con artists hide behind the mask of religion.

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

Strongly Disagree

I totally disagree that individuals and businesses should be required to provide services that violate their moral or religious beliefs. Forcing them to do so infringes on their freedom of conscience and religious liberty.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

Yes, I totally agree that the Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States. The challenges presented by their actions and policies warrant significant attention and strategic responses to safeguard national security and economic interests.

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

I totally agree that the United States' relationship with Israel is important. This partnership is crucial for strategic stability in the Middle East, fosters strong economic and military cooperation, and aligns with shared democratic values and security interests. Additionally, many believe that supporting Israel aligns with divine will and moral imperatives.


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.

I feel there has to be a better way than these options. A blend of answers B and C could work, where government-funded healthcare insurance is available for those who need it, while maintaining Medicaid and Medicare, but with a focus on minimizing additional taxpayer funding. We need a solution that balances accessibility and affordability for both the public and healthcare providers, incorporating minimal government funding while allowing for both public and private options.

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

I am against allowing a government, school, or employer to require vaccinations. I believe that personal autonomy and individual choice should be respected, and any vaccination decisions should be made voluntarily rather than mandated.


ECONOMY

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

I agree that free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system. Free enterprise fosters innovation and competition, while private property rights incentivize investment and efficient resource use, driving economic growth and prosperity.

What is your position on the minimum wage?

The minimum wage should be set at a level that ensures workers can cover their basic needs while reducing poverty, and it should be adjusted gradually to maintain economic viability for businesses. Regional flexibility is also essential.

Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?

No

ESG ratings, should not be primary criteria for investing public monies. Investment decisions should focus on financial returns and economic efficiency rather than incorporating potentially biased or ideological factors.


IMMIGRATION

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

Strongly Agree

I totally agree that the U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border. Enhancing border security is crucial for addressing illegal immigration, combating terrorism threats, and preventing illegal drug crossings, all of which are vital for improving safety and effective border management.


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

I agree that the state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child, which supports parents' freedom to choose their child's school—whether public, private, or homeschool. However, this should be done with limits to ensure that all schools receiving funding meet essential educational standards and that the program does not disproportionately disadvantage public schools or undermine their resources.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Strongly Disagree

I strongly disagree with redirecting funds from police departments to community programs. I believe that maintaining adequate funding for police is crucial for ensuring public safety and effective law enforcement, and that addressing community needs should not come at the expense of essential police services.


2ND AMENDMENT

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

Ensure that existing gun laws are properly enforced, such as background checks for individuals with felony convictions or restraining orders, is crucial. Additionally, supporting targeted mental health screening can address potential risks to gun safety without imposing broad restrictions on law-abiding citizens. Promote responsible gun storage practices helps prevent unauthorized access, especially by children, while respecting individual rights. Also, increased penalties for gun crimes.

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?

Yes

Yes, teachers should be allowed to carry guns at school if they undergo rigorous training and meet strict safety requirements. Schools should not be soft targets.


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 maintain order, protect individual freedoms, and ensure security while operating with limited intervention. It should act in the best interests of its citizens by supporting economic growth, upholding the rule of law, and respecting individuals' rights.

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

When considering my views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, I would describe myself as conservative. I tend to support limited government intervention, free market principles, traditional values, and a strong national defense.


VALUES

Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree that children, as the most vulnerable members of society, must be protected from abuse, including inappropriate influences related to gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation. Safeguarding their well-being and ensuring their protection from harm is essential for their healthy development and safety.

Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.

Agree

I agree that parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children, but this right should be exercised within limits, particularly regarding issues that involve significant, irreversible changes such as gender transition among others.

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Strongly Agree

I strongly disagree that taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services. I believe that such services should be funded through private means or specialized programs, rather than relying on public resources, to ensure that taxpayer money is allocated according to broader public priorities and concerns.

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Neutral

I am neutral on the statement that marriage is a God-ordained, sacred, and legal union of one man and one woman and that no government has the authority to alter this definition. While some may view marriage through a religious or traditional lens, others believe that the definition of marriage should be flexible to reflect evolving social and legal norms.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I believe in God and adhere to Roman Catholic values, which emphasize the importance of faith, tradition, and the teachings of the Church. My spiritual beliefs include a commitment to the sacraments, the moral teachings of the Church, and the guidance of Scripture and Church doctrine, all of which shape my approach to living a life of compassion, integrity, and devotion.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

I strongly disagree that people should be able to vote without photo identification. Requiring photo ID helps ensure the integrity and security of the voting process by verifying the identity of voters and preventing fraud.

States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.

Strongly Disagree

I strongly disagree that states should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would make the Electoral College irrelevant. The Electoral College is a foundational element of the U.S. electoral system, designed to balance the interests of both populous and less populous states, and altering it could undermine this balance and the federal structure of elections.


EQUALITY

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

Yes, racism is a threat to domestic security in the United States. It fuels division, undermines social cohesion, and can lead to violence and extremism. Racist ideologies and actions contribute to domestic terrorism, hate crimes, and systemic inequalities, all of which destabilize communities and pose significant challenges to national security and social stability. Addressing racism is essential for fostering a secure and just society.

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Strongly Disagree

I strongly disagree with Critical Race Theory (CRT), which asserts that institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist. I believe that while acknowledging and addressing systemic issues is important, the claim that institutions are inherently racist may oversimplify complex societal dynamics and hinder constructive dialogue.

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

I strongly agree that biological males should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports or occupy spaces designated for biological women, such as bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women’s shelters, or prisons. I believe that maintaining these spaces for biological females is important for ensuring fairness in sports and safeguarding privacy and safety.


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.

I agree with A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy, and C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. I believe that while environmental protection is important, the economic impact and energy implications need to be carefully balanced.

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

A mix of energy sources is crucial: renewables and nuclear for sustainability, and coal for stable, reliable power, especially during the transition to cleaner options.

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