
Richard Heath
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Richard Heath
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
Primary
Race
Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent
No
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
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2021-2022
100%
2023
81%
2021
77%, 74% (cum.)â€
2015
29%, 58% (cum.)â€
2021-2022
|100%
2023
|81%
2021
|77%, 74% (cum.)â€
2015
|29%, 58% (cum.)â€
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
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
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