Mark Downer
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Downer
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
State Senator, Dist. 26
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Kentucky, Lexington, BA, 1982
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Cabbage Patch Settlement House, Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Rape, Incest or health of the mother, with restrictions to allowing only within first 8 weeks gestation
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Do you support the proposed Yes for Life amendment to the Kentucky Constitution, which makes clear that there is no state constitutional right to abortion?
Yes
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Choose not to answer
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Support exploring consumption tax alternatives to replacing the state income.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Not enough knowledge on current Budget to answer
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
K-12 only, with potential options for limited Vocational Education
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?
None. I can't think of any circumstances.
HEALTHCARE
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I can't think of any circumstances to force vaccinations on anyone.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Did not answer
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Only those individuals applying for residency under our current laws with supporting documentation and fees
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child instead of the bureaucracy, through a program which allows parents the freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Did not answer
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Episcopalian, with a very strong faith in the tenets of Christianity.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Did not answer
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Enforce Voter ID Requirement and Verification of Signature, and make Ballot Harvesting Illegal
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. There is no systemic racism in this country, and does not pose a national security threat. Racist attitudes and behaviors have been declining for decades, but there is a progressive led false narrative that America is a racist society being utilized for purely political and ideological gain.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government should responsible for enforcing our Constitution in a limited fashion with fiscal responsibility. Ensuring our individual liberties and freedoms, enforcing our laws, protecting and defending our citizens and country and allowing for free market capitalist society
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Principled, Commonsense, Conservative Leader ground in the governing values of Ronald Reagan.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Enforce the current laws on the books
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Did not answer
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Do you support the expansion of gambling in Kentucky?
Yes
The LGBTQ+ agenda’s advocacy for puberty blockers, biological males competing on girls’ sports teams, and allowing biological males into girls’ restrooms, locker rooms, and showers threatens the wellbeing of our children.
Strongly Agree
