Ken Heath
Independent | Virginia
Candidate Profile
Insufficient Information
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ken Heath
Party
Independent
Election Year
2019
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 40
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Marion Senior High School, Marion, HS, 1980
Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, AAS, 1984
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City TN, BA, 1986
WORK & MILITARY
Town of Marion, Director of Community & Economic Development, 25
Marion Volunteer Fire Department, Firefighter, 8
Marion Police Department, Public Information Officer, 11
AFFILIATIONS
First United Methodist Church, Administrative Board Chair
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Marion Town Council, 2002-2006
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
No Answer
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am personally opposed to abortion, but as a man, will never face that decision. My wife and I tried to have children of our own, unsuccessfully, so I know how precious each life is. I am completely opposed to infanticide and would fight against that. However, I believe there are circumstances where I do not want the government having control over our lives, such as cases of incest, rape, or imminent threat to the life of the mother. I believe that decision should rest between the mother, her doctor, and God, without government intervention.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
Socialism provides a robust foundation for a stable economy.
Strongly Disagree
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Creating jobs and opportunity, increasing workforce training, redeveloping systems so that high school students understand there are additional pathways that include college, but also include community college and traditional trades through vocational education and training.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
The government should be a safety net to catch those who falter, a rope ladder to help each individual pull themselves up, but not a hammock in which to lay down. The best government follows Adam Smith's "Invisible Hand", providing less taxes and fewer regulations to help businesses grow.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or business owners because of their deeply held religious beliefs.
Agree
Governments should not penalize those who define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Neutral
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Neutral
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Providing oversight to hospital mergers, pharmaceutical companies, and government programs designed to help our citizens is the first step. A big part of that is to remove opportunities for those to influence legislation through campaign donations. Next, we must address the vanishing of primary emergency services in rural communities, as our population ages and health care becomes more remote. It’s a crisis no one is addressing.
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
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
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.
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.
Disagree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Disagree
Free speech is under attack on public university and college campuses.
Agree
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?
A strong division of powers provides the necessary checks and balances for a government “of the people, by the people, for the people”.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Methodist, raised in the Methodist church from my earliest years of being christened at Grace in my home church on Fairground Hill here in Marion. I thank God for my abundance of blessings, and pray each day that He strengthens me to be able to do His will, and quietens me enough to hear His voice, that He uses me as an instrument of His Peace, an ambassador of His Word, and a reflection of His Love in all I think, say and do.
ABOUT YOU
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I’m a Reagan/Teddy Roosevelt Conservative, with the belief that “a government governs best when it governs least”, allowing individuals the freedom for as much control over their own lives up until their choices begin to infringe on the rights of others.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I've been honored to twice be elected to local office, and for over 25 years, have worked to help communities large and small across Virginia to revitalize our downtowns, reinvigorate their small businesses, grow opportunities for our citizens to have good jobs so they can provide for their families, and so they can provide opportunities for their kids to stay in their hometowns to continue to make a difference. Our "Pop Up Boot Camp" entrepreneur training program has trained over 275 folks from Bluefield to Bristol, and here in my hometown of Marion, has sold 11 downtown buildings, filled an additional 22 storefronts, created 30 new businesses and 118 new jobs, dropping our storefront vacancies from nearly 18% to under 4% and spurring over $2 million in private reinvestment. Our program is now used as a model for Business Competitions across Virginia. Creative problem solving to tough issues - that's what I've made my career, and I want to bring that to Richmond to help SWVA grow.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
ken_heath@hotmail.com, (276) 759-1102
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I’m a passionate, dedicated problem solver who is readily accessible and open to discussions. I have over three decades assisting small businesses, creating real opportunities for our hometowns. While no two people will always agree on all issues, I believe my experience in “boots on the ground” Economic Development, community service, commitment to my hometown and my SWVA, my vow to never take PAC/Corporations/Union campaign contributions, and my willingness to “disagree without being disagreeable” while never having to answer to a political party, but to you the citizen, positions me uniquely to be a true, unfiltered, passionate voice for our region and all of rural Virginia that’s far too often left out.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Strongly 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
