Stephen Vercellino
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Stephen Vercellino
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Senate, District 59
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Bachelor of Science in Accounting, 2009-2012
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Master in Accountancy Audit and Accounting Information Systems, 2012-2013
WORK & MILITARY
Aisin Electronics Illinois LLC., Cost Accountant, 2014-2018
Jamestown Management Corporation, Staff Accountant-Financial Statement Analyst, 2013-2014
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Fixed Assets Graduate Assistant, 2012-2013
AFFILIATIONS
Franklin County Illinois Republican Precinct Committeeman Denning 4, Elected, 2017-2025
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Franklin County Illinois Treasurer, 2018-2025
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2023)
Patrick Windhorst (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I strongly disagree with elective abortions. Terminating pregnancy only for: Immediate threat life of the mother, rape or incest(crime must be formally reported), or risk of severe fetal deformity or birth defect. Allowed, not preferred. Just because a crime was committed something beautiful can shine thru. There's nuance on what severe and birth defect mean, there are those with very special needs who bring so much joy to this world, and technology of today accommodates all walks of life.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Agree
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Neutral
If abortion is to be done, it should be under direct doctor supervision not a mail at home option. However, in modern practice this act his been used in regards to child pornography cases. I have concern on the mechanism to even use this 1873 law for this purpose. Hopefully, another case will come before the Supreme Court to provide an answer on this controversial issue.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
“..., the real minimum wage is always zero, ...Making it illegal to pay less than a given amount does not make a worker’s productivity worth that amount—and, if it is not, that worker is unlikely to be employed."-Thomas Sowell
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1)Reduce areas government needs involvement. 2) Increase transparency on how the government spends your money. 3)Term Limits on elected officials.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It's actually not in the constitution and is often misconstrued and used in the context of trying to remove religion entirely from government. To me, it's the opposite in that government should be inclusive of religions, whether it's mine or not. To remove religion from government is not the right path.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
See 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis and Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.
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
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
We should move Heaven and Earth to treat people from cradle to grave regardless of their ability to pay or the likelihood of a positive outcome.
NATIONAL SECURITY
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?
Yes. There's biblical grounds on this, but also geopolitically having allies in an area that does not align well with the values of the United States is very important for the safety of the United States.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
I do not support sanctuary city policies, as I believe consistent enforcement of the law is important for public safety and public trust. At the same time, I believe enforcement should be carried out with fairness and respect for human dignity. Because peace officers exercise significant legal authority, I believe those roles should be reserved for citizens, ensuring accountability, allegiance to the law, and public confidence in those entrusted with enforcing it.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
The U.S. Department of Education is actually a fairly new concept in timeline of our country, and our students have not faired better as a result of its existence.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly 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.
Strongly Agree
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My spiritual beliefs and value are grounded in faith in God combined with a hard work ethic passed down thru my grandfather and father. I lead thru service, understanding everyone has their internal battles and I'm called to build each other up. To be compassionate to those around me. To respect everyone as a child of God, regardless of their actions towards me. To do what's fair and right regardless of the outcome or perceived status of the individual.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Numerous other areas of life require it and at times require an even higher level of identification. Basic photo identification should be the bare minimum for a process that has such a profound impact on society.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
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
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Short term Natural gas with the help of coal when economically feasible. Long term Nuclear power, which would take several years to build out new facilities and reopen/ramp up current facilities.
ABOUT YOU
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
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
I have not.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
I have not.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
Crime has consequences and mental health has treatment. We cannot tolerate poor behavior but also understand that unless we address the inadequate mental skillset that played a role in the poor behavior we're setting society up in a continuous and generational cycle of people making poor choices.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
FOID card should be unconstitutional. I support the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms. At the same time, I believe there are reasonable limits, including restricting specific military weapons from general public purchase and allowing narrowly defined, temporary removal of firearms in situations involving clear, immediate risk—such as mental health crises, domestic disputes, or officer safety concerns—while ensuring due process and prompt restoration of rights once risk has passed.
