Russell A. Wilder
Republican | Georgia
Candidate Profile
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Russell A. Wilder
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 131
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Aiken Technical College, Aiken, SC, Associates, 1987
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Columbia County Republican Party, Executive Board Member, Columbia County Greenspace Advisory Board
Board Member, Columbia County Library Board, Chairman
Coalition for Quality Government, Secretary/Treasury, Vice Chair, Youth Leadership Columbia County Steering Committee
Member, Chairman, Columbia County Planning Commission, Planning Commissioner
St, Mark Methodist Church, Augusta (A Global Methodist Church) Staff Parish Relations Committee, Chairman
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Columbia County Commission District-3, I did not win the election.
Race
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
James "Trey" Elbert Allen, III (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In the extremely rare occasion that the mother's life is in grave danger.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In the extremely rare occasion that the mother's life is in grave danger.
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.
Disagree
In Georgia we have the heartbeat law. Abortion is not permitted if a fetal heartbeat is detected. I'm not completely sure when these drugs can be prescribed and used but I don't want these drugs to be a way to circumvent checking for a heartbeat.
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.
Disagree
In Georgia we have the heartbeat law. Abortion is not permitted if a fetal heartbeat is detected. I'm not completely sure when these drugs can be prescribed and used but I don't want these drugs to be a way to circumvent checking for a heartbeat.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
STAFF NOTE: After evaluations occurred, candidate notified iVoterGuide that the intended answer to this question should have been: STRONGLY AGREE.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
STAFF NOTE: After evaluations occurred, candidate notified iVoterGuide that the intended answer to this question should have been: STRONGLY AGREE.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I do not see the need, at the State level, we should ever consider a minimum wage. The Federal Government is already setting a minimum wage and that is enough meddling in the running of our businesses.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I do not see the need, at the State level, we should ever consider a minimum wage. The Federal Government is already setting a minimum wage and that is enough meddling in the running of our businesses.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
As a small business owner, I run lean operation and that weighs every investment I make in my company., I make decisions for my company solely based on a) will it make my customers happy and b) what is my return on investment. I have concerns with a corporation that does not look solely at enhancing their business and making money for their shareholders. I do not want to place the State's money in a company that is not focused the business of making money.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
As a small business owner, I run lean operation and that weighs every investment I make in my company., I make decisions for my company solely based on a) will it make my customers happy and b) what is my return on investment. I have concerns with a corporation that does not look solely at enhancing their business and making money for their shareholders. I do not want to place the State's money in a company that is not focused the business of making money.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None!
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None!
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I own a retail business and I don't turn people away unless they can't behave on my property. However, I don't think any government should have the power to tell a business to violate their morale and/or religious beliefs, especially when there are similar businesses in an area.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I own a retail business and I don't turn people away unless they can't behave on my property. However, I don't think any government should have the power to tell a business to violate their morale and/or religious beliefs, especially when there are similar businesses in an area.
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.
C.
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.
C.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
It is very important. Israel is the only reliable ally the US has in an important part of the world.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
It is very important. Israel is the only reliable ally the US has in an important part of the world.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
If you don't have a border, you don't have a country.
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
If you don't have a border, you don't have a 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.
Neutral
I can support using State tax dollars to give underprivileged children a chance to escape failing schools and attend private schools.
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.
Neutral
I can support using State tax dollars to give underprivileged children a chance to escape failing schools and attend private schools.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
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
As long that decision does not cause that child physical or mental harm.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
As long that decision does not cause that child physical or mental harm.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and I believe the Bible is God's word. I believe in heaven and hell. I believe that anyone that believes Jesus is God's son and takes him as their savior will have everlasting life.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and I believe the Bible is God's word. I believe in heaven and hell. I believe that anyone that believes Jesus is God's son and takes him as their savior will have everlasting life.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
Absolutely, positively NOT! See Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2. I will never approve anything unconstitutional.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
Absolutely, positively NOT! See Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2. I will never approve anything unconstitutional.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I don't see it as a threat to United States in this day and age. Does racism exist in our country? Of course, racism is a part of the human condition and will always exist.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I don't see it as a threat to United States in this day and age. Does racism exist in our country? Of course, racism is a part of the human condition and will always exist.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
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
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
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) Yes, B) NO, C) Yes, D) Yes and NO. The climate has been in a constant state of change since the planet has existed. The only policy I can support when it comes to climate change is ways to adapt to it.
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) Yes, B) NO, C) Yes, D) Yes and NO. The climate has been in a constant state of change since the planet has existed. The only policy I can support when it comes to climate change is ways to adapt to it.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear. Nuclear power plants produce 0.0 greenhouse gas. Except for refueling and maintenance a nuclear plant runs at 100% power, day and night, rain or shine, wind or no wind. Let me repeat, 0 greenhouse gas is produced by a nuclear power plant.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear. Nuclear power plants produce 0.0 greenhouse gas. Except for refueling and maintenance a nuclear plant runs at 100% power, day and night, rain or shine, wind or no wind. Let me repeat, 0 greenhouse gas is produced by a nuclear power plant.
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 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 our natural rights, protect our country and to protect our intellectual property at the Federal level.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
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?
Very Conservative
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect our natural rights, protect our country and to protect our intellectual property at the Federal level.
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?
Very Conservative
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. See US Constitution, Amendment II.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Teachers should be allowed to carry guns at school if, and only if they are required to go through the same training and qualifying as local law enforcement.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. See US Constitution, Amendment II.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Teachers should be allowed to carry guns at school if, and only if they are required to go through the same training and qualifying as local law enforcement.
