Stephen L. Knipper
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Stephen L. Knipper
Party
Republican
Election Year
2019
Election
Primary
Race
Sec. of State
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, B.A., 1995
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
City Gospel Missions, Contributor, Love without Boundaries
Member, Fairhaven Rescue Mission, Contributor
Lakeside Christian Church, Member, Lt. Governor Military/Veterans Council
Member, Project Management Institute, Member
Frankfort Capital Planning Board, Member, Kenton County Board of Adjustments
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Erlanger City, 2010-2012
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative, 2008
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Freedoms Heritage Forum State/Federal PAC
Take Back Kentucky
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton
Maj Bill Heise (Ret) Sec Of Defense Telecom Ctr
Take Back Kentucky (TBK) Statewide
Mayor Angelo Penque, Cold Springs KY
Andrew Scott, Mayor Coal Run, Big Sandy Dev Chair
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Diane St. Onge
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations
Protect Seniors Now
Republican Women's Organizations
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
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
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Life is the ultimate gift. My wife and I have unfortunately been in the position to decide whether to abort our first child in order to save her life. We chose not to abort despite medical advice. Our son was born 10 weeks early. He was 2 lbs and 14 oz. I was told both my son and my wife would die; however, I didn't regret the decision not to abort. I chose to believe what my Christian faith tells me and things turned around. Today, my wife is healthy and our son is 16. He has skipped two grades in school and will graduate from high school in May!
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure 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
The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Neutral
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Make the environment for companies and entrepreneurs business friendly. A community of lower taxes, strong families who have children that want to stay in the surrounding area after they graduate from college. Promote growth and progress by reinvesting in the community which creates more opportunity and wealth.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
I served as Lt. Governor Hampton's Chief of staff and ran the office with the belief that small government works best. However, the government does play a role in boosting the economy. The government can create a favorable environment for businesses by lowering taxes and fighting corruption. Ultimately government can help the economy by defending individual rights and staying out of the way.
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
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Get Government out of the Healthcare industry. Private sector is better equipped to meet the needs and prices that people are looking for. Why not make it like car insurance where the market dictates (beyond one statewide pool) the need and the price. To meet the needs of those who can't afford insurance, we need to allow tax cuts for corporations and individuals who donate to funds set aside specifically for that.
NATIONAL SECURITY
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
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Strongly Disagree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Man is fallen, full of selfishness and sin. The purpose of Government is to protect the freedoms God gave us and to serve others. If power is consolidated under one individual, history has proven time and time again that man will focus on self-interest and fight against freedom. So dividing power with equal checks and balances keeps man's fallen nature in check.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe that we were created by and in the image of God. As a race with free will, we chose to follow our own wants and separated ourselves from God. Christ paid the price for all sins. He bridges the gap between God and man if we chose to accept him. I made the choice to accept him in 1991 and lived my life to reflect it. The Bible calls Christians to care for orphans. Thus, as a direct result of our beliefs, my wonderful wife and I adopted 5 special needs children from China. Giving our children the opportunity to live in freedom and know Christ has been the greatest of all gifts.
ABOUT YOU
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary
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 won an Erlanger city council race on one pledge, NO NEW TAXES. When it came time to vote on the tax increase the Mayor placed major pressure on me to break my pledge. I held tight knowing we had a spending problem and was willing to lose the vote 11-1. Instead, it was unanimously voted down 12-0.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Out of the 4 running for Secretary of State (Republican) I am the only one who has been elected to public office and served in Senior Management of state government. I.T. and business skills are needed to clean up the mess created by Alison Grimes. I am the only candidate with I.T. and Cybersecurity experience. I worked in I.T. and Cybersecurity for 15 years with great success. Those are the very skills that are needed to fix the damaged SOS office. We need someone who can begin working day one. We have NO TIME for on the job training. Unlike the past several Secretaries of State, I am NOT an attorney. Attornies have a skill set that is much different from innovative I.T. solutions. We do NOT need another attorney who believes the only solution is to modify existing laws which requires 100% reliance on a possible opposing Legislative body and Governor.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
knipper@2019sos.com (859)412-1658
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I ran against Alison Grimes in 2015 because it bothered me that KY had 18 counties with more registered voters than citizens. Every other potential candidate was afraid to challenge Grimes, but preserving free and fair elections in Kentucky was worth the "personal political risk" to me, so I ran with virtually no help. Grimes had $841,000. I only had $41,000. However, my message and determination paid off with a 51%-49% surprise outcome. If I can come that close to beating her with such a small budget, I can definitely beat whoever the Democrats throw at us in the Fall. All 3 of my competitors have used my talking points and risk as their own platforms. I alone campaigned for VOTER ID and clean rolls in 2015. Now it's popped up on every platform. Let's make I.T. right in 2019- Vote the original problem solver from 2015 vote STEPHEN KNIPPER
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
