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

2022


Election

Primary


Race

State Rep., Dist. 52


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Ken Upchurch websitesKen Upchurch phones Ken Upchurch emailFacebookX

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


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

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*

*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

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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