Ken Ivory
Republican | Utah
Candidate Profile*
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ken Ivory
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 39
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
BYU, Provo, BA Japanese, 1989
California Western School of Law, San Diego, JD, 1994
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Honorary Colonels Association
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Utah State Representative, 2010-2019, 2021-present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2022
|100%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2022
|38%
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (2)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
*Patriot Parents
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
“Ken Ivory has proven experience, relationships, and simply understands how government works. He listens to his neighbors and the delegates in our district. His devotion to our Constitution, inalienable rights, and separation of powers serves Utah well at this critical time for our great State. Ken has shown that he seeks out new ideas and different perspectives, weighs alternatives, considers possible outcomes and develops reasonable positions. In over ten years of knowing Ken, he has always been gracious with his time and listened to my positions. He is genuinely committed to serving well.” Nathan Brown, former Candidate for House 47
“Ken Ivory is a voice for freedom who articulates constitutional principles better than anyone else in the Utah legislature. He graciously tackles difficult problems, like trauma-informed justice and federal overreach, with reason and passion. He is well respected among his peers for his foresight, his knowledge of history and the Constitution, and his impeccably honorable conduct. Ken is undaunted in his pursuit of what is right. I cannot recommend him highly enough!” Cheryl Acton, Utah House of Representatives, District 38
“Today we need legislators who do more than just think the right way about how to protect and defend our families, freedom and future. We need legislators to do more than just vote the right way. We need legislators with COURAGE to speak out! We need legislators who can influence other elected officials to remember those values and principles and do the right thing, regardless of the pressures of lobbyists or special interests. Ken Ivory has a proven record of standing true to sound, constitutional principles. He raises the courage level of the Utah Legislature.” Kim Coleman, former State Representatives and candidate for U.S. Congress
“Ken Ivory is instrumental in bringing together legislators from both sides of the aisle to support a range of important issues, while remaining true to the fundamental constitutional principles that have built this nation. Ken represents his constituents well and is an effective voice for them on Utah’s Capitol Hill.” Mike Lee, U.S. Senator
“Ken Ivory is a true stateman, loyal to the West Side and is always available to constituents, including me. I enjoyed Ken’s commitment to constitutional principles as I got to know him serving as South Jordan’s mayor and now on the Salt Lake County Council. I highly recommend and endorse Ken Ivory!” Dave Alvord, Salt Lake County Council, District 2
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
State Republican Party Organizations (2015)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Rape, incest, life of the mother jeopardized.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I have a 100% rating by the Utah Taxpayers Association and was honored by this organization for being the only republican to vote against the last minute tax reform package rolled out in the last days of the 2019 Legislative Session. Process is as important as policy. It is vital that we give the people the opportunity to be heard on tax policy changes. I have stood firm for this principle my entire time in office. Additionally, we must compel the federal government to honor its promise to pay the fair taxable value for all federal controlled lands in Utah. With 65% federally controlled land in the state, we only have 20% taxable lands. This is the primary reason Utah is more than $2 Billion below average in per pupil funding for education. I led a unanimous, bipartisan effort to bring action against the federal government to require it to honor this promise to Utah children and communities. Finally, The best tax policy involves keeping the taxable base broad and lowering the overall rate.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Utah balances its budget. I have also led the national effort to convene the states to impose fiscal restraints against the federal government. Washington is not going to stop spending on its own (under either national political party). If we will avoid pushing off to our children and grandchildren a $31Trillion national debt and unfunded obligations in excess of $150 Trillion, the states must restrain federal runaway spending. I am working with David Walker, the former Comptroller General of the United States under Presidents Clinton and Bush to advance this critical effort. In Utah, I am working with Susan Speirs, President of the Utah Association of CPAs to continue a program we started called Financial Ready Utah. I passed legislation that requires all state agencies and all local governments to have contingency plans in place for the eventuality that federal funds are reduced to our state. During the last federal government shutdown, the credit rating agencies looked at the financial resiliency of the states in reviewing their credit ratings. Because of this legislation I passed, Utah's AAA credit rating was preserved as Utah was the only state in the nation actively preparing for federal funds diminishing. At the federal level, there are many things that can be reduced. There are billions of dollars in waste at the federal level. From federal funding to study the effects of excess alcohol on prostitutes in China or the mating habits of frogs in Panama, or Sesame Street programs in Pakistan or subsidizing mango farmer in foreign countries, teapot museums, shrimp treadmills, federal benefits to dead people... There are billions of dollars annually in waste that can and must be eliminated at the federal level.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
There are many paths to a successful career. College is not the answer for everyone. Technology and trade schools provide much needed services. Many succeed starting their own business. Education is a personal investment. Beyond the K-12 education, the individual options and choices for how to invest both time and money in career and personal education is a personal choice/responsibility. There many grants/scholarships underprivileged or disadvantaged people can apply for, if they choose.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, government should not interfere with the free exercise of religious observance, save only where a particular religious observance is determined to be dangerous to the community after affording notice and an opportunity for the religious observer(s) to be heard by a fair and impartial tribunal under the rule of law.
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. Government should provide for those unable to care for themselves. Government should facilitate a level playing for healthcare innovation to thrive. Government intervention, including with the so-called "Affordable Care Act" has only made healthcare more unaffordable.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I don't believe the government should require blanket mandates for vaccines. Personal health circumstances vary so greatly, a blanket mandate fails to take into account these personal health circumstances. While tested, proven vaccines may be a public good, mandating untested and unproven vaccines while granting blanket immunity for the consequences of such untested vaccines is wrong! Americans should not be compelled to be human guinea pigs or test subjects for untested, unproven vaccines, ever! In a public health emergency, accommodations can and should be made for those who choose for medical, religious or personal reasons to not receive a particular vaccine. A person's employment, for example, should never be conditioned on such mandates without appropriate accommodations.
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.
Choose not to answer
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?
Did not answer
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
See George Washington's Farewell Address on this subject. Virtue and morality are essential to self-government.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Did not answer
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
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Did not answer
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
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?
Did not answer
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Did not answer
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.
Did not answer
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Did not answer
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To secure the rights of the People.
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?
Did not answer
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?
Please see the results I have achieved for my constituents and for our state at voteivory.com
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Did not answer
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Did not answer
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
See Article I, Sec. 6 of the Utah Constitution.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Did not answer
