

Ken Upchurch
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ken Upchurch
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 52
Incumbent
Yes
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
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2019-2020
100%
2021-2022
92%
2021
77%, 74% (cum.)†
2015
63%, 71% (cum.)†
2019-2020
|100%
2021-2022
|92%
2021
|77%, 74% (cum.)†
2015
|63%, 71% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (3)
*Freedoms Heritage Forum
*Kentucky Right to Life Association (KRLA)
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
KY Right to Life, NRA, NFIB
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (11)
Allison Ball (2019)
Brad Montell (2006)
James Comer Jr. (2011)
Jim DeCesare (2006)
Jonathan Shell (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (11)
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 (2)
Kentucky Justice Association (2018)
National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2014)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Not under any circumstances.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Do you support the proposed Yes for Life amendment to the Kentucky Constitution, which makes clear that there is no state constitutional right to abortion?
Yes
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?
The General Assembly just passed legislation that will eliminate the income tax. It will come down 1/2 percent in January 2023. Every year after that as long as revenue projections are met the income tax will reduce 1/2 percent until it is eliminated.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Unnecessary personnel should be eliminated.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
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?
Never!
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) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
No vaccine should be required.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Close the border with Mexico.
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.
Strongly Disagree
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?
Any person who is legally qualified and follows immigration laws should be permitted.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child instead of the bureaucracy, through a program which allows parents the freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
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 as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
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 am a Christian and believe in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
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?
The legislature has passed some of the strongest elections laws in the nation. It is easy to vote and hard to cheat.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No.
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) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To provide safety to citizens and then stay out of the way.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Endorsements by KY Right to Life Voting Record: lrc.ky.gov
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 am a conservative, pro-business Republican. I am endorsed by Kentucky Right Life and the NRA.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The 2nd Amendment is very clear.
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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