Thonja M. Nicholson
Democrat | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Liberal (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Thonja M. Nicholson
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 36
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Anderson University, Anderson, Bachelor of Science, Organizational Leadership, 2004
Highland High School, Anderson, 1985
The International Center, Leadership Across Cultures, 2016
Leadership Academy of Madison County, 2018
Hoosier Women Forward, 2018
National Council for Behavioral Health, Youth Mental Health First Aid USA, 2019
WORK & MILITARY
St. John’s Hospital
The Villages of Indiana and Flagship Enterprise Center
CBRE, Inc., a worldwide property management company, Facility Manager
Many not-for-profit organizations
AFFILIATIONS
Northview Church of God, Volunteer, Rotary Club of Anderson
Vice President, Taxpayers for Anderson Schools, Chairperson
CASA, Inc., Board Member, Friendship Bible Service/Differently Abled
Leader - Volunteer, Leadership Academy of Madison County, Student
Hoosier Women Forward, Student
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (1)
Madvoters Verified Politician
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Better Indiana PAC, Our Choice Coalition PAC, M.A.D. Voters, AFT Indiana, Indiana AFL-CIO
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Christina Hale (2020)
ActBlue (2017)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe the choice to have an elective abortion should be up to the woman. Circumstances can change and be moved to restrict women from being able to get an elective abortion. The woman, in consultation with her physician, should make the decision. Choosing to have an elective abortion weighs heavily on women and they do not make this decision lightly.
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
If the Federal Drug Administration approves the chemical abortion drug for women, then it should follow their regulations on administration of the drug. We do not report information on other drugs people take, why should it be done for this drug. Privacy of your healthcare is of the utmost importance.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Disagree
If the service provided is provided and legal, then they should receive taxpayer funds. We use taxpayer funds for so many things that people may or may not approve of, why should this be different. Some religious organizations do not approve of contraceptives but that doesn't mean we all have to agree with their beliefs.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
If a person has been well informed about their health conditions and they chose to not continue living they should be allowed to end their life. This is not a decision that can be made quickly and needs the input of their physician. It should be better the patient and the physician.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
The "church" would have to be detriment to their followers. Something closer to a cult environment. Taking advantage of people and not following their own guidelines and statements of faith. It would have to be a very serious infraction for the government to intervene and close a "church."
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Agree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, it is as important as all other countries are to 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.
B) healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccinations keep us safe from diseases and the transmission of illnesses. Vaccinations should be required for school and in a pandemic as Covid-19, vaccinations saved many lives.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Workers need to be paid a "living" wage. A wage that offers them enough money to live, pay rent, food, utilities, education, childcare, vehicle and insurance. Many people have to work two or three jobs just to be able to afford "living."
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
If an environment does not have the ability to support the businesses that want to build on that ground, then it should be a factor. Needing water to support a business center or housing division is necessary and needs to be investigated before beginning a project. Planning and preparation should be done to find issues prior to monies being invested.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Neutral
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.
Disagree
Since the "private or homeschool" does not have to follow the guidelines set by the state then they should not be allowed to receive the funds. Private schools get to pick and choose who they allow to attend their school. Public schools take everyone. When a private school dismisses a student because they are getting low grades or are getting into trouble the public school takes the student. Private schools cannot offer the assistance and additional training a public school can offer.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
There needs to be funding for both. The police department and community programs need to work together. Community programs will assist people in knowing the policies and rules and functioning appropriately. Helping the community should be the main goal of both these.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe in the right to own a gun, but I also believe that gun safety needs to be a part of gun ownership. Licensing is needed as well. If you have a gun you should have a safe way to store it so innocent people are not injured or killed if it falls into the wrong hands. We do not let people just hop into a car and drive. Start with a permit, driving with an experienced driver. You take a test to know the rules of the road and if you pass you are allowed to drive. Same is needed for guns.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
I feel teachers having guns on school property would pose a greater risk to everyone. Keeping guns away from people that may do harm is what is needed.
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?
Government is needed to keep the rules and laws of the people. There is fine line between laws and rules and overall control by the government. To protect all of the people.
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 Liberal
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
Protecting our children from abuse of any kind should be a priority.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Neutral
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Neutral
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a child of God and always will be. I attend church regularly and volunteer. I believe that Jesus rose from the grave and that one day I will join Him in heaven. I also believe I am not to judge others but to love them. Jesus met with sinners, and we are all sinners. We cannot profess to be a Christian and then not show love and respect to all.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Neutral
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a threat to the security of the United States. People take things to the extreme, racism being one of them. We need to look at each other and see an equal human being. Not a different color, race or religion.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
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.
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 and D. Indiana has some of the worst water in the nation. Protecting our natural resources will be a priority of mine. Too little is being done. Climate change is real, as evidenced by the temperatures that are higher and higher year after year.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Solar and Wind.
