Jennifer Decker
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
Jennifer Decker
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 58
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, BA, 1978
Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, MA, 1980
University of Kentucky, Lexington, JD, 1982
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Centenary United Methodist Church, Chairman of the Board, Operation Care, Inc.
Executive Director, Shelby County Republican Party, Chairman
U.S. Senate, Field Representative, East Middle Site-Based Decision Making Council
Parent Representative, Southside Site-Based Decision Making Council, Parent Representative
Shelby County High School PTA, President, Shelby County High School Project Graduation
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 (5)
Commonwealth Policy Center
*Constitutional Kentucky
Kentucky Right to Life Association (KRLA)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Rand Paul
OTHER (1)
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
U.S. Senator Rand Paul & Congressman Thomas Massie
State Senators Paul Hornback & Jimmy Higdon
State Representatives Samara Heavrin & Jason Nemes
State Representatives Jerry Miller & Russell Weber
State Representatives James Tipton & S. Maddox
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Brett Guthrie (2010)
Paul Hornback (2010)
Rand Paul (2010)
State Republican Party Organizations (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
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?
Abortion should be legal only when the baby must be aborted to save the life of the mother and there is no possibility of saving both mother and child.
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?
Until I am able to examine the state budget in detail, I do not have an answer to this question.
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.
No Answer
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 is actually a paraphrase of an idea discussed in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to a church to express the same idea set forth in Section 5 of the Bill of Rights of the Kentucky Constitution: "No preference shall ever be given by law to any religious sect, society or denomination; etc." Jefferson's use of the phrase "separation of church and state" was meant to explain his belief that the First Amendment prohibited the federal establishment of a national denomination. The concept of "separation of church and state" allows citizens the freedom to practice any religion of their choice, but also prevents the government from officially recognizing or favoring any religion. This phrase is not in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, and it does not prohibit expressions of faith in public schools, governmental venues, or the public square.
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?
While the United States Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government has the power to regulate certain health care matters, states retain the power to enact laws that relate to public health and the provision of healthcare within their borders to the extent those laws do not interfere with the application of federal law or run contrary to it. Within that framework, I would work to require transparency in medical costs, and I would allow Association Health Plans.
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?
The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution invalidates state laws that interfere with or are contrary to federal law, and the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government has broad and exclusive power to regulate immigration. I would oppose any state legislation that sought to regulate who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
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 believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
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.
I am the daughter of a minister, and my faith has always been an important part of my life. I have been a member of Centenary United Methodist Church for the past 34 years, and I have lead a Sunday School class there for the past 20 years. I have also lead a community Bible study at Operation Care, Inc. in Shelbyville for the past 5 years.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am an attorney, and I practiced law for 20 years. I studied the United States Constitution in law school and have continued to study it throughout my life. I understand the concepts of federalism, states' rights, and separation of powers that every legislator should know. I worked for a United States Senator, and that experience helps me understand the legislative process better, the varying role of the state and federal governments, and how to best represent constituents. I have been a small business owner and a nonprofit director. I have set budgets and understand how government policies affect all types of business. I was a tax attorney for 18 years, and I understand how tax policies affect economic behavior.
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?
Since my first day of studying the United States Constitution in law school, I’ve had a profound interest in government and respect for the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Kentucky. I want to become a member of our state’s legislature where I’ll work hard to sponsor and support bills that promote and protect the liberties afforded to us by God and enshrined in those founding documents. I’ll fight to expand individual freedom and not the size of government. I’ve lived, worked, built a family, and formed countless friendships in Shelby County during the past 32 years. I love this place and the people who live here. The KY General Assembly deals with a multitude of serious issues that affect our Commonwealth and our county, and I want to help address those issues on behalf of my fellow citizens, using common sense and sound judgment.
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.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The 2nd Amendment right to bear arms must be protected and not infringed.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
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?
Did not answer
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism has existed in every nation throughout the course of human history, and it still exists today across the globe in varying degrees. The United States Constitution enshrines the notion that all people are created equal, and the United States has sought over the course of its history, to stamp out racism as a threat to individuals and to our national security. We must remain vigilant in this fight.
