Richard Heath

Republican | Kentucky

Candidate Profile*

Conservative

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Richard Heath


Party

Republican


Election Year

2023


Election

Primary


Race

Commissioner of Agriculture


Incumbent

No


Links

Richard Heath websites FacebookX

EDUCATION

Murray State University, Murray KY, Masters, 89

Murray State University, Murray KY, BS, 84

WORK & MILITARY

Heath Buildings Material, Business Owner, 2000

Graves County CO-OP, Manager, 1987

Farming, Owner, 1974

AFFILIATIONS

NRA, Member, Hope for Life

Contributor, Rotary Club, Member

Trace Creek Baptist Church, Member, National Frame Builders Assoc.

Member, Home Builders Assoc., Member

BBB, Member, NFIB

Member, Graves County Republican Party, Chairman

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

State Rep District 2, 2023

State Rep District 2, 2012

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Commissioner of Agriculture, 2015

Race

Previous Races

SCORECARDS

CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS


LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (3)

*Kentucky Right to Life Association (KRTL)

*Freedoms Heritage Forum

*KY Forum PAC

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)

KY Right to Life

Northern KY Right to Life

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (18)

Chris Freeland (2020)

Daniel A. Fister (2020)

Felicia Rabourn (2020)

James Comer Jr. (2011)

John Sidney McCain (2008)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (24)

Bart Rowland (2016)

Bluegrass Committee (2022)

Chris Freeland (2017)

Citizens for Affordable Healthcare (2012)

Creating Opportunities, Markets and Enthusiam in Rural Kentucky (2018)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

Jim Gooch, Jr. (2022)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)

OTHER INFORMATION

Richard Heath participated in a KET debate for State Treasurer on 4/24/2023. Commissioner of Agriculture candidate debate starts at 43:10. Note that his opponent, Jonathan Shell, did not appear.*

*Debate occurred after the voter guide was published and was not considered in candidate evaluation.

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

To save a mothers life

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive 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


ECONOMY

What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?

I support Kentuckys efforts to elimate state income tax.

What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?

Kentucky has a balanced budget

Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.

Disagree

College students need to pay for some for their education. No free rides


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree

Under what circumstances can government close churches?

NONE


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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.

C

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

Kentucky passed Legislation to push that decision down to the local level


NATIONAL SECURITY

What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?

Not sure

I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.

Neutral


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Strongly Agree

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

Only those individulas who go through the proper and legal channels.


EDUCATION

Do you support a constitutional amendment that would allow Kentucky’s educational dollars to follow children to the school of their choice?

Yes


VALUES

Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.

Strongly Agree

I support adding gender identity and sexual orientation as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.

Neutral

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I belive that Jesus Christ is the son of God. He was crucified and arose on the third day. He is my savior.

Parental rights are a fundamental right. Stronger legal protections are needed to ensure that parents are empowered to protect their right to direct their children’s upbringing, education, and healthcare.

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


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?

I like Kentuckys current laws.


EQUALITY

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

I don't think its as bad as the news media makes it out to be.

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.

A

I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.

Agree


ABOUT YOU

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

Protect our borders, provide saftey for our citizens.and provide for a free and vibrant enconomy

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

Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).

I don't have any additional sources.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.

NO

What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?

I introduced HB 500 in the 2023 Kentucky General Asembly to prohibit Countries that are unfriendly to the United States from purchasing Kentucky farm land.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.

Agree

I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.

Disagree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

The ones that are already on the books in Kentucky. No futher gun restrictions are needed.

Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.

Strongly Disagree


OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

Do you support the expansion of gambling in Kentucky?

No

The LGBTQ+ agenda’s advocacy for puberty blockers, biological males competing on girls’ sports teams, and allowing biological males into girls’ restrooms, locker rooms, and showers threatens the wellbeing of our children.

Strongly Agree

If you are not already receiving our emails, stay up to date with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.

I agree to receive text messages at the phone number provided.