Matt Lockett
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matt Lockett
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 39
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Master of Divinity, 1998
Murray State University, Murray, Bachelor of Science, 1996
WORK & MILITARY
Thrivent Financial, Financial Advisor
Edward Jones, Financial Advisor
KY Department of Insurance, Director
Family Wealth Group, Financial Advisor, 2021-present
AFFILIATIONS
Immanuel Baptist Church, Member / Small Group Leader, National Alzheimer's Association
Ambassador, Americans for Prosperity, Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 2021-present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative, 2012
U.S. Representative, 2010
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (4)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Kentucky Right to Life Association (KRTL)
Freedoms Heritage Forum
Commonwealth Policy Center
OTHER (2)
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (19)
Republican Women's Organizations (2024)
Tom ODell Smith (2024)
John Blanton (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2022)
Making a Sensible Shift in Elections (MASSIE PAC) (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Kentucky Justice Association (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
Kentucky Family Foundation Scorecard
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
None, except to save the life of the mother
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I'm opposed to any mandatory increase in the minimum wage. Free enterprise can react to the economy and provide increases in minimum pay. That is exactly what we are seeing now in our economy.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Absolutely None.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccinations are a private choice and should not be mandated by the government. Yes, they can certainly provide needed protections for the individual and society. However, mandating vaccinations encroaches on personal freedom.
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. No other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. I am not in favor of expanded government provided healthcare coverage. The Affordable Care Act decimated the insurance industry and caused premiums to rise and the cost of healthcare to skyrocket. The state exchange should be dismantled and abolished.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Absolutely! We should always remain close allies with Israel. They are God's chosen people and God says in His Word, that he will bless those that bless Israel. Beyond that, they are an important ally in that part of the world.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Our Southern border needs to be closed. Only those coming across legally should be allowed to enter. We need to build the wall, ensure strong border protection and deport those that come across illegally.
EDUCATION
I support a constitutional amendment that would allow Kentucky’s General Assembly to set up a school choice program to allow dollars to follow children to the school of their choice.
Strongly Agree
I have co-sponsored this exact legislation.
VALUES
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Parental rights are a fundamental right, and parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Agree
I agree with this statement. However, If the parent is making decisions that physically harm the child (such as allowing the minor to have gender transition surgery), the state must protect that child.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from harm, including from gender ideology and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am believer in Jesus and a follower of Him. I hold traditional Christian beliefs about the family, society, role of families, etc.
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
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Photo Identification must be required to vote.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
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
I support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Strongly Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe that coal is still the most reliable energy source. I also believe that nuclear energy can play a key role in our growing demand for electricity.
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
C. We've seen this very thing play out in national policies, from shutting down oil pipelines to the stopping of drilling for oil on our own land. These were done all in the name of being environment friendly. That forces the U.S. to purchase oil from overseas, mainly from countries that are not our allies. This drives up costs and does nothing to protect the environment.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Protect the citizens and provide for items such as roads, protection (police and fire). Government has ballooned into something I believe our founders never envisioned. We must always be looking for ways to reduce the size of government.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
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
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?
None. Gun ownership restrictions have not proven to protect public safety. In fact, I believe we have seen the opposite to be true.
Faculty who are licensed to carry and have had ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school in order to respond to an active shooter situation.
Strongly Agree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Do you support the expansion of gambling in Kentucky?
No
