Ken Upchurch

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

Ken Upchurch


Party

Republican


Election Year

2020


Election

Primary


Race

State Rep., Dist. 52


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Ken Upchurch websitesKen Upchurch phones Ken Upchurch emailFacebook

EDUCATION

Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, BA, 1991

Wayne County High School, Monticello, 1987

WORK & MILITARY

(Candidate did not provide)

AFFILIATIONS

Mill Springs Battlefield Association, Board Member, Monticello Kiwanis Club

Member, Monticello Chamber Of Commerce, Member

Elk Spring Valley Baptist Church, Member, Immanuel Christian Academy

Vice-Chair

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

State Representative, 1999-2010

State Representative, 2013-Present

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

State Treasurer, 2007

County Judge, 2010

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)

Freedoms Heritage Forum

*Kentucky Right to Life Association (KRLA)

*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (8)

Allison Ball (2019)

Brad Montell (2006)

James R. Comer Jr. (2011)

Jim DeCesare (2006)

Mike Harmon (2019)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)

Bluegrass Committee (2018)

Bob DeWeese (2013)

Chris Girdler (2010)

David W. Floyd (2010)

David W. Osborne (2018)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)

National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2014)

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE*

*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE

Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.

Strongly Agree

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.

Strongly Agree

I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.

Strongly Agree

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

Abortion should only be permitted in the rare instance where the life of the mother is in immediate danger. It should never be used as a form of birth control.


ECONOMY

It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.

Strongly Disagree

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

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

Kentucky is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.

Strongly Agree

Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.

Strongly Agree

Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.

Strongly Agree

I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.

Yes

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

There is no constitutional provision requiring a separation. The government has no right to establish a religion.


HEALTHCARE

It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.

Strongly Disagree

How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?

Healthcare coverage should be available in the free market with free market designed coverages.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.

Strongly Agree


IMMIGRATION

I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.

Strongly Agree

State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.

Strongly Agree

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

The only immigration that should be allowed are those who can be productive and not dependent on any government assistance. They must also be actively working on citizenship.


EDUCATION

Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.

Strongly Disagree


VALUES

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

Strongly Agree

I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a Christian and believe my service in government should be guided by Christian values.


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?

Very Conservative

Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.

I have a consistent conservative voting record in the Kentucky General Assembly on not only social but also fiscal matters.

What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?

I have a BA in political science from Eastern Kentucky University. I have worked in the free market not only as an employee but also as an employer. I have a 20 year conservative voting record in the Kentucky General Assembly.

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

NO!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

I am a strong pro-life, pro 2nd Amendment conservative legislator. I am proud to be the only candidate in this race who has never contributed financially to the campaign of a Pro Choice Democrat candidate for State Representative.


JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY

I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.

Strongly Disagree


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?

Yes

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

The Second Amendment is the only restriction required.


OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Agree

I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Strongly Disagree

The Electoral College should be abolished.

Strongly Disagree

In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?

I believe the fewer laws passed in a legislative session the more successful the session. I have always been a supporter of pro-life measures and legislation the strengthens our 2nd Amendment rights. Legislation that limits the power of government is very important. I sponsored HB-4 during the 2019 session that limits the power of the administration to implement regulations and strengthens legislative powers on that process.

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

No. Liberal governance is a threat to domestic security.

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