Paul Hamilton
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile*
Moderate
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Paul Hamilton
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Senator
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Indiana University, Bloomington, PhD Economics, 2002
University of Kentucky, Lexington, BS Mech Engr, 1991
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Lexington Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Member, Midway University
Economics Professor, Asbury University, Economics Professor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
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
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.
Disagree
The end of life issues are often complex and highly emotional. I don't support "suicide or euthanasia" but do recognize that individuals and their loved ones have to make very difficult life ending choices such as DNR, taking someone off life support who will not regain function, etc.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Rape or incest. No other exceptions.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Agree
But less then we are doing now. The distribution of income and wealth is wider than the "distribution of talent and effort".
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
DOD needs to be leaned out. Bureaucracy and inefficiency needs to be streamlined in many gov't organizations and programs. Chief among them is health care including Medicare and Medicaid.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Move towards a flat tax at all levels including Federal and State Income taxes. Replace the corporate and capital taxes with a VAT -- based on blockchain technology (this doesn't mean bitcoin, it's a tracking method for VAT transactions)
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
Freedom of religion is critical -- God doesn't want a theocracy. The church should do charity, not the State. The church should recognize marriage, not the State.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
When there is 100% certainty that the vaccine works as intended (immunity) and with certainty there is no risky side effects.
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.
Either A or D. Either we have a free-market solution that is cheaper and better than any of the socialized medicines of the world or we go to National healthcare that matches or improves upon the national healthcare of any other country. The current hybrid system is the worst of both worlds -- very expense (double many advanced country's health spending per capita) and not that great of outcomes (longevity, infant mortality).
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
Answer B. My foreign policy views are nuanced. As Ecclesiates says, there is a time for war and a time for peace.
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
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
We should not allow China to hold a penny of our national debt.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Become energy independent. Engage with all societies in cultural and educational exchanges.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Disagree
I am more concerned about the barriers to legal immigration than the physical barriers to illegal immigration.
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Neutral
Need more info to answer.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Can they speak English or Spanish? Do they have a clean criminal record? Do they have a work history and skills?
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes 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
CRT is more than blaming US institutions for racism but on this measure, I discount CRT.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a conservative Christian which is a decision to give my life to Christ, to live a life in every way that honors Christ and to bring others to Christ as there is no other way.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Stop the gerrymandering. It's embarrassing and makes it hard for voters to know where the lines are drawn. It will ultimately have little effect if not backfire.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Forgiveness on all sides allows us to move forward. How would reparations even begin to work (e.g. identify how black someone is and what lineage damage was done)?
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is threat to both the racist and the group that is hated. The government cannot stop hate.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
The environment is very important. But not so important that it trumps becoming energy independent in the short run. In the longer run, fossil fuels will be replaced by the market mechanism and ingenuity.
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.
Both. We have some environmental laws that accomplish no good and create economic harm. While others or potential ones could have a positive cost/benefit ratio.
ABOUT YOU
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
Socially very conservative. Pro-life, Pro-family, etc. Economically conservative -- as a professional economist I side with the market mechanism while realizing that it is imperfect. Deficit hawk. Flat tax, VAT.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://www.jessaminejournal.com/2022/03/10/hamilton-running-for-u-s-senate-republican-grew-up-in-wilmore-was-inducted-into-jessamine-athletic-hall-of-fame/
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?
I am Paul Hamilton and I am running to be your next US Senator! To tell you a bit about myself – I grew up in Jessamine County winning the KY State 1600 way back in 1987. I went on to study engineering at UK, got married, went to IU for graduate school in Economics and had four kids along the way. My career up to this point has been as an Economics Professor currently teaching at Midway University. So why am I getting into politics? My campaign is about “next level Republican policies” Republicans have been dogged lately by that people know what we are against but what are Republicans for? On my campaign site, PaulVHamilton.com, I have detailed my specific vision for policies that accomplish the ideals of conservative economics and values. Really my campaign is about three core themes – truth, compassion and action. I am (what we use to call) an evangelical Christian. I’m a 100% pro-life! It looks likely that our Supreme court will overturn Roe Vs. Wade this year. But I challenge my fellow Republicans that our zeal for pro-life legislation be dwarfed by our compassion for women and children in crisis. Can we as private citizens guarantee 100% support for women and the unborn from prenatal to delivery to post-natal care? Can we as individuals guarantee that every child will have a home? It’s a high calling but one that must be met. My second point is about turning conservative ideas into action. A day of reckoning is coming. Once in a century storms seem to happen every few years. Our national debt, Social security and Medicare programs are on unsustainable paths. What cannot go on forever, will do just that – end some day. And that day is not far away without significant action. Big challenges require big changes in how the gov’t operates. Where do we cut 100’s Billions from the federal budget? I am providing specific policies that bring our tax and spending back onto a sustainable future. My third point is about civility, decency and honor. Some of the politicians I share the stage with today are calling #45 their president. May I suggest #16 – a lanky Republican born just a few miles from here who symbolizes leadership that was honorable, made the hard decisions to make America great once and for all and gave his life so that others may live. For those still thinking “Let’s Go Brandon” is funny, I offer the advice to not mistake vulgarity for wit. I am a true Republican in the spirit of Lincoln, Reagan, and Bush. I have real solutions described on PaulVHamilton.com and look forward to speaking with many of you tonight and in the weeks to come. I ask for your vote for US Senate on May 17.
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.
Disagree
I support redirecting funds from BUREACRATIC GOVT AGENCIES to mental health and community programs.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
If you are a threat to anyone including yourself, you can have a gun but not ammunition.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
