Katie Howard
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Katie Howard
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 7
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Denison University, Granville, B.A., 1974
WORK & MILITARY
Telecommunications, Management, 26 years
Real Estate, Broker, 3 years
Real Estate, Marketing, 5 years
AFFILIATIONS
Lamp & Light Ministries, Board Member, Kentucky Federation of Republican Women
Board Member, Anderson County Republican Women, President
Open Hands Community Food Pantry, Volunteer Manager, Rotary Club of Lawrenceburg
Member, Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Member
Owen County Chamber of Commerce, Member, Gallatin County Chamber of Commerce
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*Kentucky Right to Life Association (KRLA)
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
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Under no circumstances is abortion ever tolerable. There are many unfortunate conditions under which children are born but this does not negate the sanctity of life. Children are a gift from God under all circumstances. Only He controls life and death and He needs no intervention from man.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure 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
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Reduce executive branch spending except for front-line workers that serve the community to reduce bureaucracy and push more accountability to the local level. Insist that every state program be measured and those that don't show taxpayer benefit be eliminated. Require that for every new regulation three old ones are cut. Every state transaction, contract and grant should be available online in real time. This transparency will help cut waste and encourage our citizens to be fiscal watchdogs.
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
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
This phrase, made popular by Thomas Jefferson though not explicit in the Constitution, calls for a state that neither supports a particular religion nor prohibits the free exercise of one's religion. Today the government is not often accused of advocating for state-sponsored religious practices. But there is overreach into religious beliefs and institutions by infringing on a citizen's right to practice their religion without limitation, or intimidation, by the government. This infringement is seen in numerous law suits and "fairness ordinances" that require citizens to go against their religious beliefs, all in the name of state-dictated protections for classes of people. In my view this violates the basic tenant of the Establishment Clause as the government steps beyond its purview of civil authority.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Allowing the free market to work, with innovation unleashed, and getting the government out of the way are the principles I stand on.The following priorities would address improved coverage: 1.) Health Savings Accounts with more patient control, combined with price transparency, would put the individual in charge of their care and help lower costs; 2.) Tele-medicine options and access to electronic communications with health care professionals would improve access and lower costs; 3.) Portable health insurance that travels with the individual from job to job rather than tied to a company plan would improve access and lessen the risk of loss of coverage; 4.) Access through insurance to the best treatment centers, especially for chronic diseases, cancer treatment and surgeries, would improve outcomes for patients and potentially lower costs; and 5.) Block grant funds to Kentucky to help us reform our health insurance markets to provide offerings that meet the needs of Kentuckians.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
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
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Both my sets of grandparents immigrated to the United States and were expected to care for themselves and their families. Likewise, I believe immigrants welcomed to the United States should learn English, should have skills or abilities (merit) that will be an asset to the nation-at-large and demonstrate their ability to be self-sufficient within a larger community. Those who enter illegally should be returned to their home country. Overstaying one's visa does not happen by accident and is equivalent to illegal entry. The virtues of the melting pot can be preserved only when common sense laws are enacted and enforcement is vigorous.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Bible-believing Christian who strives to live and practice my faith every moment of every day. I live in a strong community of believers, serving in settings to reach out with the message of Christ to others. I have participated in many international mission trips, taught Bible study for years and regularly seek to inspire and encourage others who seek to grow closer to the Lord through His word. I traveled to Israel in 2019 to walk in Christ's footsteps and better understand my God through His chosen people.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Both my website, KatieHowardforSenate.com, and my Facebook page, under the same name, provide insight into my stand on many issues in our conversation today. The campaign literature I distribute promotes my: "Pro-Life, Pro-Constitution, Pro-2nd Amendment and Pro-Freedom" agenda.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have the right business experience to hit the ground running in the Senate. With 35 years of proven leadership in both large corporations and my own business, I have led large teams with diverse agendas to solve complex problems. I know what it is to be held accountable for your performance, to deliver results on time and on budget and to be paid only if your customers are satisfied. That same mentality needs to be brought into government service. While I have the RIGHT experience I am RIGHT for the job because of my long history in community service. I don't just join, I do. I have served the poor and under resourced for 25 years, recently managing the local food pantry and advocating for the poor. I also am an advocate for the growth of the Republican Party, working many volunteer hours for candidates. In 2019 I founded Anderson County Republican Women, one of the fastest growing Republican organizations in the Commonwealth and currently serve as their President.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
The citizens of the district deserve a Senator who listens and will be their advocate in Frankfort. I have demonstrated throughout the campaign that I am interested in the views of all and no subject is off limits. I am not intimidated by tough problems because I have the business skills and community service experience I can draw upon. I am a doer, not a talker. I am not looking for a career in politics and I believe in firm term limits. Lifelong politicians limit innovative thinking and responsiveness to those they serve. Always worrying about the next election keeps legislators from tackling the really tough problems we have in the Commonwealth. In business there is no such thing as "kicking the can down the road." These problems only get larger and harder to solve. I look forward to being accountable to the people of District 7 as their next State Senator.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Our right to keep and bear arms is protected by the Constitution. Laws that restrict those rights infringe, by definition, on the Constitution. There currently are laws that protect the public from felons, and in situations of domestic violence, protection orders, terroristic threatening, and endangering the life of oneself or another. We have a thorough background check system in place. These laws need to be enforced not new ones added that will restrict and punish law-abiding citizens.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
#1-Realign responsibilities and eliminate overreach into the classroom (boards, councils, cabinet, superintendent) to ensure the most qualified people are making decisions; #2-Unleash innovation to encourage teaching and learning pilot programs to break the cycle of downward test scores; #3-Introduce criminal justice reforms to help reintegrate nonviolent offenders into society.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Violent racial extremism is a threat to our domestic security and was labeled so by the Department of Homeland Security in 2019. This comes after several racially motivated attacks perpetrated by white supremacists. The term "racism" has changed in meaning since it became commonly used to replace the concept of "prejudice" in the last century. Now the term includes an "evil" connotation as well. When evil motives propel one to commit violence against another based solely on their race we have moved beyond racism into the realm of domestic terrorism that harkens back to the KKK. On the other hand, I believe race relations have much improved in my lifetime. I have noticed my children, who are millennials, do not describe someone in terms of their race or national origin. This is the natural progression of the melting pot of America where races have mixed and we are becoming a more homogeneous population.
