Van Kelly

Republican | Missouri

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

Van Kelly


Party

Republican


Election Year

2020


Election

Primary


Race

State Senator, Dist. 33


Incumbent

No


Links

Van Kelly websitesVan Kelly phones Van Kelly emailFacebookX

EDUCATION

Norwood High School, Norwood, Missouri, Diploma

Drury University, Springfield, Missouri

Springfield Police Academy, Springfield, Missouri, Diploma, 1991

WORK & MILITARY

(Candidate did not provide)

AFFILIATIONS

Camp Joy Bible Youth Camp, Director, Liberty Faith Church

Music Director, Missouri Farm Bureau, Member

Right to Life Missouri State Chapter, Member, Right to Life National Chapter

Member, National Rifle Association, Lifetime Member

Missouri Firearms Coalition, Member

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Missouri House of Representatives; 144th District, 8

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)

Jason T. Smith (2014)

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2016)

Mike Huckabee (2008)

Newt Gingrich (2013)

Republican National Committee (2018)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE*

*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
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?

I believe in the sanctity of all life and do not support abortion period.


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?

Did not answer


NATIONAL SECURITY

The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.

Strongly Agree


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?

I believe there are many ways to improve healthcare access including supporting clinics, the availability of nurse practitioners and virtual physician visits.


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?

I would pay close attention to the Missouri Department of Transportation and make it more accountable. The citizens of Missouri are customers and we're not an open checkbook.


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?

Did not answer


EDUCATION

Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.

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?

None.


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?

Abolishing the state income tax and sales tax on used vehicles. Education reform and bringing better high-speed internet access to rural areas of the state. Increasing vocational training options, especially in rural schools. Government accountability and making sure Missouri's tax dollars are not spent frivolously.

Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?

Did not answer


JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY

I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.

Strongly Disagree


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 a registered Republican, a member of the state and national Right to Life organizations, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a member of the Missouri Firearms Coalition. During my tenure as Congressional Representative for Missouri's 144th Legislative District, my voting record demonstrates my commitment to conservative values.

What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?

After graduating from Norwood High School and attending Drury University, I graduated from the Springfield Police Academy and served in law enforcement for 16 years in Douglas County.

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?

If elected, I will work hard for everyone in the 33rd District. I'm a 100% pro-gun, pro-life, pro-family, fiscally conservative Republican, but I will listen to everyone from all sides of the aisle and work with them because we are all in this together.


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 conservative Christian and have attended Liberty Faith Church in Norwood, Missouri, with my family for many years. I also serve as Music Director and Director at Camp Joy Bible Youth Camp.

If you are not already receiving our emails, stay up to date with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.

I agree to receive text messages at the phone number provided.