Thomas Keith Dismukes
Republican | South Carolina
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Thomas Keith Dismukes
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
U.S. Senator
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Clemson University, Clemson, MS, 1997-1999
Clemson University, Clemson, BS, 1994-1997
Spartanburg Technical College, Spartanburg, Assoc., 1992-1994
WORK & MILITARY
30 plus years and 48 countries. Author of “A Leader’s FOCUS”, Motivational Storyteller: Humorist and Adventurer, 1994-2026
Unaka Ave Baptist Church, Youth Pastor, 2000-2004
AFFILIATIONS
First Baptist Church of Clover, SC, Children/ Youth Director, interim and volunteer, 2017-2026
ITEC- USA, FARM Trainer: Develop, Train and Equip indigenous people. Peru, Brazil, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Thailand, 2021-2026
Compass Prep, Chemistry Teacher, 2024-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Not a career politician. Never planned to be. I’m a citizen who’s tired of watching the same problems get worse—and ready to do something about it., 2026-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
I’m not chasing a title or a career in politics. I want to do the job, do it well, and return to the life I love., 2026-2026
OTHER INFORMATION
Thomas Dismukes completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Life isn’t something government gives—it’s something it must protect. From the very first moment of conception to natural death, every life has inherent value, dignity, and the right to be defended.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Agree
Once we start justifying the destruction of human life based on circumstances, we’ve lost the principle that every life has value.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I don’t support elective abortion. I do believe we have a responsibility to care for both mother and child—through support, resources, and real alternatives. Difficult situations are real, but the answer shouldn’t be to end a human life.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
We should invest in healthcare, support for mothers, and adoption services—without funding abortion providers.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Agree
I agree. The Comstock Act reflects longstanding limits on distributing abortion-inducing drugs, and enforcing it is part of upholding both the law and the protection of life.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
I agree. Ownership and freedom go hand in hand. When people have the right to what they earn and build, they’re empowered to create value for themselves and others.
People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families.
Disagree
I don’t agree. We don’t fix problems by taking more—we fix them by growing more, spending wisely, and giving people the freedom to succeed. The goal should be to lift everyone up, not penalize success.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
I agree. Every family has to live within a budget—government should too.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1. Zero-based (or hybrid) budgeting Stop automatic increases. Every dollar should be justified each year—no more “last year plus more.” 2. Eliminate duplicative and outdated programs If two agencies are doing the same job, consolidate or cut. If a program no longer works, end it. 3. End earmarks and backdoor spending Every project should stand on its own and be transparent. 4. Full transparency and real-time accountability We don’t have a revenue problem—we have a discipline/ spending problem.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
In a free country, the government shouldn’t force individuals or businesses to choose between their livelihood and their convictions.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It was never meant to remove faith from public life. It was meant to prevent the government from controlling it, while protecting the freedom to live according to one's beliefs. It doesn’t mean people of faith have to check their beliefs at the door of public life.
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. Keep Medicaid and Medicare for those who need it—but the answer isn’t more government programs. The answer is lowering costs, increasing competition, and giving people real control over their healthcare.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
Understanding costs is important but we don’t need more government tracking—we need better solutions. Protect privacy, use anonymous data, and focus on lowering costs.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
B. We should lead with strength and wisdom—not jump into every fight. Support our allies, stand for freedom, but stay focused on America’s security and interests first.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
This isn’t theoretical—it’s happening now. We need to be clear-eyed, protect American interests, and stop being dependent on a strategic adversary.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Israel is one of our strongest and most reliable allies in a volatile region, and that partnership strengthens our national security.
Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security.
Strongly Agree
Terrorism rooted in extremist ideology poses a danger, and we must respond with strength, clarity, and a commitment to both security and constitutional principles.
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We should welcome those who follow the law, contribute to our country, and respect our values. Immigration should be legal, orderly, and based on merit, skills, and a willingness to become part of the American story. If not, the system doesn’t work.
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
You can’t have a system where some places choose which laws to follow and which to ignore.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
The closer education is to parents and communities, the better it works. Washington shouldn’t be running our classrooms.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Agree
We shouldn’t allow foreign governments to shape what’s taught in our classrooms. Education should reflect American values and priorities.
VALUES
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
We should not allow irreversible or life-altering interventions for minors. The focus should be on care, support, and time—not permanent decisions.
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
My personal conviction is that marriage is a sacred, God-ordained union between one man and one woman, while understanding the role of government in defining legal status.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
1. The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the final authority for faith and life. 2. There is one God who exists eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity). 3. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man—born of a virgin, lived without sin, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. 4. Salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone—not by works. A person must personally repent and believe. 5. The church is made up of believers who have trusted Christ. Baptism is by immersion and is a public declaration of faith. 6. Believers are called to share the gospel and make disciples. 7. Every person has the freedom to believe and worship without government interference.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Secure elections matter, and confirming who is voting is a reasonable, common-sense step. We require ID for everyday activities—voting should be no different.
EQUALITY
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
We need clear, consistent policies that preserve fair competition and protect the integrity of women’s spaces. Protecting women’s sports and spaces is common sense—fairness and safety matter.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
If you want reliability, it’s nuclear—backed by natural gas. We need energy that shows up every day, not just when the sun shines or the wind blows.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
Absolutely NO.
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?
Conservative
I’m a constitutional conservative who believes in limited government, personal responsibility, strong national defense, and protecting individual freedoms.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Protecting children isn’t optional—it’s a responsibility. We need strong enforcement and real consequences.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The problem isn’t law-abiding citizens—it’s criminals. Enforce the laws we have, hold offenders accountable, and protect the rights of responsible Americans.
