Thomas Perkins
Republican | West Virginia
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Thomas Perkins
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
House of Delegates, Dist. 46
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Allegany County High School, High School Diploma
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Greenbrier County Republican Club, Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
West Virginia State Senate, 2022
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Abortion should be illegal in all cases, including rape and incest.
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.
Neutral
Abortion drugs should not be available to the general public and should only be available in extremely rare circumstances, such as before emergency surgery that could result in complications.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
The government should not be in the business of providing funds for abortion, nor should we provide tax subsidies to organizations that provide abortion access.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
In my opinion, medical assistance suicide should be available to burn victims and people with incurable health problems such as cancer who have already gone through the treatment process but are now in unbearable pain and suffering.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Drawing a clear line between corporate and private property is crucial. I vehemently oppose foreign governments purchasing US farmland, advocating for stronger protections for American landowners. Moreover, individuals shouldn't bear property taxes on private property, preserving ownership rights and reducing financial burdens on homeowners.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Implementing a nationwide minimum wage tied to the cost of living ensures fair compensation. Current rates in West Virginia are too low; I advocate for a $10 hourly minimum.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
Local tax revenue allocation should be determined by elected district officials. They are best positioned to understand community needs and allocate funds accordingly, ensuring resources are directed where they're most beneficial. This approach fosters accountability and responsiveness to local priorities, promoting effective governance and citizen engagement.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
The government should never have shut down churches during the pandemic. People have a constitutional right to worship.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
Individuals shouldn't be terminated for refusing tasks conflicting with religious beliefs. Publicly traded corporations must uphold fairness, but LLCs or family businesses should retain the right to refuse services.
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.
B) I believe that Medicare for all would lead to reckless spending in the long term. I think having a hybrid system where everybody has access to Medicaid for your average procedures should be acceptable, but specialty procedures such as plastic surgery or abortion should require private insurance.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Medical tyranny should not be acceptable in a free and open country. The state should never have the authority to force someone to be vaccinated or take medicine against their will. This decision should always be left up to the parents.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
I believe one of the greatest threats to the United States is China. I also believe it's only a matter of time before they try to attack and invade the United States.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Israel is an important strategic US ally in the Middle East. I support semi-military aid to Israel and stationing troops inside Israel, similar to that of South Korea. However, I don't think the United States needs to assist Israel on a military campaign to invade neighboring nations.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The United States should have a zero-tolerance illegal immigration policy and deport all illegal immigrants currently in the United States. Additionally, we should use all necessary means, including deadly force to secure our southern border.
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 believe parents have the right to homeschool their children. However, we should focus on fixing the public school system instead of investing funds into private schools. All children deserve a fair and quality education.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
We also must protect children from the overreach of government that forcibly removes children from their families and exposes them to abuse and corruption within the system. Just because a child may experience some abuse at home does not mean that the home is unfit for the child. As children are likely to experience more abuse in foster care or juvenile facilities than at home.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Agree
I believe parents should have a say in their child's well-being. However, sometimes parents overreact to things that could have a negative impact on a child's well-being.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Taxpayer money should never be used for unnecessary and dangerous medical procedures.
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
Marriage is between two legally consenting adults.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised as a Christian, but I identify as Agnostic. I am not an atheist by any means, as I do believe there are some things that cannot be explained.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I believe that photo IDs should be available to the public free of charge and that a photo ID should be required when voting. Each county should have a single precinct location that is open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM for seven days, with the votes reported daily to the public.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
The Founding Fathers established the Electoral College to balance state interests with national representation in presidential elections. It aimed to prevent dominance by populous states, ensuring smaller states had a voice.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I don't believe we have a problem with racism in our society. There are people who continuously promote racism in order to make a profit and to stay in public office. However, the vast majority of Americans are not racist by any means.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
As of now, we have serious problems with Critical Race Theory (CRT) in our public school systems, and we have outdated racist textbooks being replaced.
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
Men do not belong in the women's locker room!
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.
A and C) I believe that as we become more energy efficient, there will be less demand for energy. However, when it comes to energy production, we need to have a well-rounded approach such as solar for energy during the day and coal and natural gas for energy at night. I also believe that nuclear energy is one of the worst forms of energy as it creates nuclear waste and radioactive material.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Geothermal is one of the most cost-effective means for home heating and cooling, which can significantly reduce utility costs for consumers.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
Nope
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The purpose of government is to maintain records of documents, settle disputes when they arise, and prosecute individuals who commit crimes.
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?
Lean Conservative
I'm a former libertarian and registered republican who holds pro-life values, leans more towards individual rights and liberty, and opposes big government and an authoritarian agenda.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
I believe we need more community policing and less militarization of the police.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I support less gun regulations and also believe that felons who have completed their sentences should be allowed to own firearms. Additionally, I believe that individuals should be allowed to use deadly force to protect personal property.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
All law-abiding adults should be allowed to carry guns in public schools.
