Alex Bar-Sela
Democrat | Texas
Candidate Profile
Liberal (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Alex Bar-Sela
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 4
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, Bachelor of Arts, 1990
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Kahal ha Masoret - Golden Acres, Chief Rabbi, Texas Classroom Teachers Association
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
President - East Montrose Civic Association, 1993-1994
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Terrell City Council District 5, 2016
Terrell School Board, 2018
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Kaufman County Democratic Party
Henderson County Democratic Party
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Blue Horizon Texas PAC (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Abortion is a personal matter to be decided upon by a woman in consultation with her medical care provider and her family should the circumstances demand it. It is not the place of a partisan legislature to dictate to a woman what is in her best interests, either medically or morally. Women should be able to decide for themselves. It is a matter of freedom. No one is pro-abortion. Being pro-choice is a different thing entirely. In cases of rape or incest, always. Late-term for health reasons.
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 am not opposed to a medical consultation, but I vehemently oppose the idea of building a data base which can be used for nefarious purposes. Forcing women to report their medical decisions to an as yet unnamed political body is the very definition of an infringement on one's privacy.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers offer more than just abortion services. They offer critical medical care for women in medical crises as well as basic health care and reproductive services. To deny them funds is to deny half our population their God given right to quality health care.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
I watched both my parents die slow and undignified deaths. I cannot say with absolute certainty that either one of them, both doctors, would not have chosen to go out on their own terms had they been given the choice. And I, being a dutiful son, would have respected their wishes.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
The government has abused its ability to confiscate private land to use for its own purposes. This should be unacceptable in a free society.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
The current minimum wage in Texas has not increased in decades. Meanwhile, the cost of everything else has soared in comparison. The minimum wage should have a built in cost of living increase that allows for more than just survival. Raise it.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
The current decision to not work with a particular company because of their stance on environmental issues and their desire to not invest in fossil fuels has cost the taxpayers millions in lost revenue and over spending. The State should not be the arbiters of what is or is not appropriate social activism.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Religious institutions that foment hate and bigotry should be investigated. Likewise, when unlawful activity is sanctioned or tolerated with in such an institution, they must suffer sanctions.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
It is a slippery slope to allow businesses to decide with whom they wish to do business based on perceived moral or religious beliefs. Where does one draw the line? It was not that long ago when the color of one's skin was enough to be denied service.
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. Private health care has become dominated by bad actors who put profit above mission. It cost me $1600 a month for a health family of three. I am a public school teacher, and often times the increase in my annual premiums outpaced my annual pay increase. In effect, for 2 years my paychecks got smaller because private insurance jacked up my rates. There should be quality public health care available to all citizens.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccines helped eradicate small pocks, measles, and polio thanks to mandated vaccinations of school children. There is nothing wrong with requiring vaccinations to protect the general public. The recent move against vaccinations is political theater.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
There is nothing to say other than to condemn any candidate who praises and admires the ruler of the CCP.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Unequivocally, yes. Israel is the only true partner the US has in the Middle East. As such, the US should everything in its power to insure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against their enemies. After all, Israel's enemies are historically the enemies of the US because they hate democracy and freedom.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Securing the border requires increased man power, not some glorified vanity project like a big, shiny wall.
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.
Strongly Agree
The government is responsible for funding public education. That is their mandate. Private school and home schooling is a matter of choice, and the burden of covering those costs should be carried by the parents and the parents alone. It is pure disinformation to present a voucher system as a matter of parental choice. It is nothing but a money grab by greedy home school corporate entities who have bought the elected officials pushing such drivel.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
Most of these crimes happen at home and/or at the hands of a family member or someone who is trusted by the parents. There is no mass movement to groom or manipulate the youth of today by a political party or any profession.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Neutral
Such decisions should be decided by the patient, their family, and their doctors. There is no great funneling of taxpayer dollars to such issues. This is a nonsensical argument.
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 Disagree
Marriage is historically a contract entered into by the two parties involved. The idea that offered in this question presupposes certain facts that do not align with history or tradition.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My beliefs are my own and as a government official it is not my place to impose them on my constituents should I be elected. The US constitution guarantees freedom of religion. It follows that freedom from religion is an equally protected right. It ain't nobody's business what I or anyone else believes.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
Presenting a photo ID is not an issue, nor is there any move to make ID-less voting a thing.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Neutral
I do not know what the NPVIC is, but the Electoral college has become obsolete, a relic of a time when instantaneous results of an election were impossible. The Presidential election should be decided by popular vote and not left to the machinations of cynical politicos committed to power and not representative government.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism undermines the safety of our citizens and as such poses a threat to national security.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
This definition of CRT is ridiculous and scurrilous and thus does not deserve legitimate discussion.
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.
Agree
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.
B & D
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Solar, until we master fission
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?
To protect the freedoms of it citizens from enemies both foreign and domestic
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
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Agree
If it means demilitarizing the police in order to develop community outreach programs that are proven to deter crime, then yes.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Background checks and raising the age limit to 21. If you cannot buy alcohol or tobacco, then you should not be able to buy a gun.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
