Mike Kennedy

Republican | Utah

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

Mike Kennedy


Party

Republican


Election Year

2024


Election

General


Race

U.S. Rep., Dist. 3


Incumbent

No


Links

Mike Kennedy websites FacebookXYouTubeInstagram

EDUCATION

Brigham Young University, Provo, BS, 1994

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MD, 1998

Brigham Young University, Provo, JD, 2007

WORK & MILITARY

(Candidate did not provide)

AFFILIATIONS

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, volunteer, Volunteer Care Clinic

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Utah State House of Representatives, 6

Utah State Senate, 3

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

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 (7)

National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF

Mike Lee

National Association for Gun Rights

Stand For Health Freedom

Utah Conservatives

OTHER (6)

Scott Chew

Utah State Fraternal Order of Police

Oil & Gas Workers Association

Utah Republican Veterans' Caucus

Brady Brammer

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (7)

Utah Fraternal Order of Police

Utah Senate President, Stuart Adams

Utah Speaker of the House, Mike Schultz

Mom’s for America

Stand for Health Freedom

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)

Heidi Balderree (2024)

State Republican Party Organizations (2024)

WinRed (2024)

Daniel McCay (2023)

Kera Birkeland (2022)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (39)

Ann Millner (2024)

Carl Albrecht (2024)

Chris H Wilson (2024)

Constitutional Conservatives Fund (2024)

Dan Hemmert (2024)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

Democracy Engine (2024)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Democracy Engine (2024)

Office and Professional Employees International Union (2018)

OTHER INFORMATION

Mike Kennedy completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024.

Candidate responded to iVoterGuide's Questionnaire in 2018.

In March 2015, Kennedy was the only Republican in the Utah House of Representatives to vote No on SB 297, a bill that authorizes a government employee to refuse to perform marriage services based on his or her personal beliefs.

PoliticIt Podcast with Candidate: "Dr. Mike Kennedy Candidate for Utah Congressional District 3" (May 10, 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

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

I don’t believe these should be legal, but if they are, they should have high standards to meet.

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Rape, incest, and life of the mother.

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?

We should not allow Title X funds to be used to pay for abortions and we should reinstate President Trump’s Mexico City policy.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

The state doesn’t control the church and people are free to practice their own religion if they choose.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree


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.

The United States should only intervene when we have a compelling national security or economic interest.

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, they are one of our greatest allies.

What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?

Right now, one of the causes is the Biden Administration.


HEALTHCARE

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

I sponsored and passed legislation in Utah to ban vaccine passports.

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.

I will work to expand HSAs and similar programs for more pre-tax healthcare dollars, enhancing affordability and patient autonomy. Will increase cost transparency and competition to lower prices and improve care. Also championing telehealth expansion and enforcing strict patient privacy protections. Focus on reducing prescription drug costs through market competition and permitting international purchases when cost-effective.


ECONOMY

What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?

Focus on tackling inflation, reducing taxes, cutting unnecessary regulations, and promoting energy independence. I am committed to reducing bureaucracy, ensuring fair taxation, and supporting limited government policies that grow our economy.

Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.

Strongly Agree

Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?

No


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?

Good people who follow the legal process.


EDUCATION

I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.

Strongly Agree

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Agree

Our teachers and parents in Utah are fantastic.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

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?

I’m a firm supporter of the Second Amendment.


JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY

The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.

Strongly Disagree


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?

Conservative

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

The U.S. Constitution establishes the government's purpose: to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for common defense, promote general welfare, and secure liberty for current and future generations.

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.


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.

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

I sponsored and passed legislation in Utah to protect children from dangerous and irreversible transgender surgeries and puberty blockers.

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

The Electoral College should be abolished.

Strongly Disagree


EQUALITY

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


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Strongly Disagree

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Fossil Fuels.

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