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Tom Tarter

Tom Tarter

US Senate Candidate

Republican Party

Questions & Answers

Answers printed as provided by the candidate, Tom Tarter.

1.) What is the importance of the US Senate to residents of Champaign County?

[Note from VoteChampaign: we apologize, there was a technical error with this question & the answer didn't come through correctly on our end. We are working with the candidate to get their text for this. All other answers are accurate.]

2.) Why are you qualified to be a US Senator?

There is no Republican candidate for United State Senate in Illinois who has more experience, and who is more knowledgeable on U.S. healthcare policy than me. This is one of the most important issues to everyday Illinoisans. In addition to the usual campaign engagements, I do my homework, and I work very hard to understand the issues from the economy, to illegal immigration, to veteran’s issues, to energy policy, etc. I don’t hear anything in depth on the issues that affect the citizens of Illinois from my opponents. They throw out a lot of red meat, which may serve them politically, but I believe that the voters will know who they can trust to thoughtfully represent them in the Senate, the greatest deliberative body on earth. I am also working harder than my opponents and running a better campaign: I have raised the most money, spent the least, and hired a professional political team. I anticipate earning the Republican nomination for United State Senator in Illinois.

3.) If elected, what is something you want to accomplish as a US Senator, and how long will it take?

My highest priority is addressing illegal immigration. I will support legislation to secure our border. I will support legislation to deal with illegal border crossings and asylum claims. I will support legislation to transition from the family-based legal immigration to a merit-based system that serves our country’s future needs.

Another crucial issue is helping President Trump continue to grow our economy. Despite opposition from Dick Durbin, the 2017 tax cuts and regulatory relief on business has stimulated our economy. The unemployment rate is at a historic low among all racial groups, women, and individuals without a high school diploma. The U.S. leads the world in wage and salary growth, and hundreds of billions in profits have been repatriated from overseas. I support continuing to lower taxes, cut spending to reduce the national debt, reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses, and balance our budget.

My third highest priority is healthcare. I’ve been a doctor in Illinois for 23 years. I will ensure Americans continue to have access to the best medical care in the world while instituting commonsense policies that make health care and insurance more affordable. This includes price and outcome transparency, expanded use and amount of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), regulatory relief on providers and hospitals, malpractice tort reform, small business insurance pools, low cost short-term insurance plans, and primary care membership plans.

4.) Is there anything else you would like to say to an undecided voter?

Dick Durbin is a career politician; I am a recently retired surgeon with a unique insight into healthcare and in business. If you think Washington is doing a great job, Dick Durbin may be your best vote, but if you are like the vast majority of Americans that would like the Senator who will represent their values and not those from the lobbyists and elites, then I am your candidate.


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