
Robert Lee Karnes
Republican | West Virginia
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Robert Lee Karnes
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 11
Incumbent
Yes
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Civil Air Patrol
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Senator, 8
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2023
A+
2021
100%
2024
90%
2023
87%, 86% (cum.)†
2022
83%
2018
71%, 82% (cum.)†
2023
|A+
2021
|100%
2024
|90%
2023
|87%, 86% (cum.)†
2022
|83%
2018
|71%, 82% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2022
|0%
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
NRA A+ Rating
WVCDL A Rated
West Virginians For Life 100%
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
Daniel Webster (2010)
Debra Medina (2010)
Dino Rossi (2010)
Donna Campbell (2010)
Sean Bielat (2010)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
To save the life of the mother
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
To save the life of the mother
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I doubt it helps anybody, except a few young entry level workers.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I doubt it helps anybody, except a few young entry level workers.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
D but I can live with C for the poor with no further expansions.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
D but I can live with C for the poor with no further expansions.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Never
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Never
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. There are a variety of reasons why. 1st is the strategic value of having a strong ally in the region. 2nd is our shared Judeo-Christian Values, which are clearly under attack worldwide. The combination of Judeo-Christian Values and Common Law understanding of the rights of the individual are why we have the freedoms we have. I don't think history has any examples of sustained, large-scale liberty that doesn't include strong individual rights as an extension of God-given rights.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. There are a variety of reasons why. 1st is the strategic value of having a strong ally in the region. 2nd is our shared Judeo-Christian Values, which are clearly under attack worldwide. The combination of Judeo-Christian Values and Common Law understanding of the rights of the individual are why we have the freedoms we have. I don't think history has any examples of sustained, large-scale liberty that doesn't include strong individual rights as an extension of God-given rights.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
I am a homeschooling father of eight. I helped draft the Hope Scholarship in West Virginia and created the legislation that enabled Microschools in WV.
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
I am a homeschooling father of eight. I helped draft the Hope Scholarship in West Virginia and created the legislation that enabled Microschools in WV.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
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
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
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Baptist. I believe we live in a God created universe, our sin nature separates us from God and Christ's sacrifice on the cross offers a path of redemption and reconciliation.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Baptist. I believe we live in a God created universe, our sin nature separates us from God and Christ's sacrifice on the cross offers a path of redemption and reconciliation.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes, but only to the extent that the democrat party stokes racial tension for political gain.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes, but only to the extent that the democrat party stokes racial tension for political gain.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
A and C
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
A and C
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
1. Coal 2. Natural Gas
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
1. Coal 2. Natural Gas
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
1. To provide a national defense 2. Prosecute/Prevent violent crime by locking up perpetrators after a fair jury trial. 3. To enforce contracts and prevent fraud.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
1. To provide a national defense 2. Prosecute/Prevent violent crime by locking up perpetrators after a fair jury trial. 3. To enforce contracts and prevent fraud.
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
The issue with with this scoring system is a lack of consensus on what it means to be "Very Conservative." I am by most measures very conservative on social issues. I don't support a lot of foreign military adventures but do support having a strong and effective military.
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
The issue with with this scoring system is a lack of consensus on what it means to be "Very Conservative." I am by most measures very conservative on social issues. I don't support a lot of foreign military adventures but do support having a strong and effective military.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None for law abiding citizens.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None for law abiding citizens.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
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