Gaylon Kent
Libertarian | Colorado
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Gaylon Kent
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 2
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Los Angeles Lutheran HS, Los Angeles CA, general, 1983
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy, E-3, 4
AFFILIATIONS
American Legion Post 44, Past Commander, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 89
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Colorado CD3, 2012
Colodaro US Senate, 2014
OTHER INFORMATION
Gaylon Kent completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
The government must butt out of the abortion debate. They must neither promote it nor restrict it.
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.
Disagree
The government must not get involved in it. A free market of pregnant women will decide what they do and not want to use.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Anytime a woman desires it. The moral aspects of abortion are an individual's lookout and no one else's.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
No, the federal government has no role to play regarding abortion. It must neither promote it nor restrict it. Humans have been terminating pregnancies for three thousand years. Nothing we do is going to stop it. People will find a way around it.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
I favor a flat tax of no more than 5% on incomes over $50,000 and eliminating inheritance & capital gain taxes. Corporate income taxes, too, because they are an expense passed on to us consumers, making them, in effect, a tax on us.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Agree
I agree. Pay your debts. Now, we could, perhaps, cap the interest, but the principal borrowed must be repaid.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Choose not to answer
I'll be honest, I do not know enough about this issue to give a cogent answer.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It means the government guarantees the right of citizens to worship - or, equally important, not worship - as they see fit. It means they do not favor one religion over another.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
Any private business has the right to refuse service to anyone.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccines should not mandated by public institutions. Private entities can require them or not as they see fit.
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.
C. It would not be fair to abolish MediCare or Medicaid to the people who have come to depend on it. Doctors and health insurers must otherwise be allowed unfettered access to the free market. It would not be fair to abolish MediCare or Medicaid to the people who have come to depend on it. Doctors and health insurers must otherwise be allowed unfettered access to the free market. Doctors and health insurers who are financially responsible to patients would lower prices and spur innovation.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
D. The US must only fight wars that have been declared by Congress, as mandated in the Constitution. No nation has survived perpetual war, and America will not be the first. We must give other nations the dignity of conducting their affairs without the benefit of US interference.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Neutral
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
It is important, but we must not assist them in their war with Hamas. Israel long ago gained the military and tactical advantage and their continued slaughter of civilians is genocide.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
We are in our seventh decade of TV being the focal point of American life. We are well-entertained and well-fed, and that includes our kids; fewer are interested in or qualified for military service.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Neutral
Considering our resources, we do what we can at the Mexican border.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I think current US immigration law is satisfactory.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Neutral
I support local school districts running their schools as they see fit.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
I could not agree more with this statement.
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Disagree
Government should support anyone marrying who they want. If marrying someone of the same gender isn't too your taste, don't do it. Just because something is legal, does not make it mandatory.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Neutral
The government must butt out of this. Parents should be able to raise their children without interference.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Disagree
Individuals looking to transition should pay for this themselves.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have no religious beliefs. I did have 13 years of Lutheran schooling and look back at it fondly, but my spiritual life now centers around maximizing the talents I was issued at birth and making my time serve me. I fully support everyone's right to believe as they see fit. Religious freedom is the fundamental tenet of this republic.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
I have never understood why we do not have a national voter ID card.
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Neutral
I have no idea. On the one hand, it is a unique and distinctive way to elect a president. On the other hand, the reasons for having it have probably passed.
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Neutral
America is still a racist country at heart. White males continue to make everyone different from them fight tooth and nail for every gain.
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.
Agree
I agree with this. Biological women must compete against others born female. Sport's jurisdictions and governing bodies would do well to consider having a third division for males who should've been born female.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Agree
We knew about climate change a generation ago and chose to do nothing about it. We are paying the price for it now.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Everything. Solar, wind, nuclear, coal, all must be utilized.
ABOUT YOU
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?
Moderate
I am very middle-of-the-road, right down Main Street, USA.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To ensure its citizens have 24 hours every day to make something good happen for themselves.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
Oh, goodness no.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No. My rap sheet only includes some traffic violations.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Disagree
No, nine seats is fine. The Supreme Court is merely reflecting the partisan society we now live in.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Considering the times the 2nd Amendment was written in and the English laws and customs that influenced it, I believe the 2nd Amendment protects our right to own arms citizens need on a daily basis. I believe this does not include weapons whose sole purpose is to kill large numbers of people, and that we can prohibit them without violating either the letter or the spirit of the 2nd Amendment.
