Susan Witten
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Susan Witten
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 31
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Transylvania University, Lexington, Business Management, 1992
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
VIPS-Visually Impaired Preschool Services, VIPS Board Member, Down Syndrome of Louisville
Volunteer, Childhood Cancer Family Fund, Volunteer
My Dog Eats First, Volunteer, Louisville Metro Police Foundation
Volunteer, Veteran’s Club, Volunteer
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 (4)
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Kentucky Right to Life Association (KRLA)
*Freedoms Heritage Forum
Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC
OTHER (5)
*Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police
Kentucky Chamber PAC
Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville PAC
Kentucky Beer Wholesalers Association
Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Kentucky PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Bonnie Jung-Mayor of Douglass Hills
Bill Dieruf-Mayor of J-Town
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Kevin D. Bratcher (2022)
Thomas Huff (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
As a Christian, I believe strongly in the sanctity of all human life. Only in the rare situations where the mother’s life is at risk do I believe abortion should be an option.
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.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I would eliminate the income tax in Kentucky, and move our state to a consumption tax state.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
There are many places in the state budget that could use either sizable reduction or complete elimination. For example, state take home cars and gas cards paid for by the taxpayers. Another example is personal service contracts. These are highly political in nature and do not have the necessary oversight to protect the taxpayer.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
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?
Under no circumstances. I am committed to upholding the Constitution by defending the religious liberty of Kentuckians. The First Amendment protects religious beliefs from government interference, and I will fight for our Constitution to be upheld.
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.
Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Under no circumstances should a government, school or employer be allowed to require vaccinations for adults. I feel parents are, and should be, responsible for their own children. Parents should have the final input over their child’s health.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Secure our borders, incur tougher sentences for those found guilty of terrorism or has ties to terrorism, and stop sending money to countries that fund terrorism in any way
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?
Those who can support themselves, offer a positive contribution to our country, and have the desire to assimilate to the values of this country. They are to follow the legal path to citizenship.
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.
Strongly Agree
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.
As a Christian, I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, was perfect on Earth, and was crucified for our sins as the perfect sacrifice. On the third day he rose from the dead, ascending into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God. My belief in Jesus as my savior gives me the hope of life everlasting. My values are tied directly to the teachings of Jesus, most simply to love God and to love people. This was also instilled in me by my wonderful and Godly parents, to whom I owe everything. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God, but each person was specially made by God and has immeasurable value. While we can and should hate the sin in our lives and in others, we are called to love the person, as God loves them.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Strongly Agree
I believe that marriage is a God-ordained covenant, and while these are my beliefs it is not my job to hate, judge or condemn anyone that believes differently. As a Christian it is my job to love people well and offer grace and truth to everyone.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Eliminate all ballot harvesting, enforce the hard deadline of ballot submission, use paper ballots only, purge invalid voters from voter roles consistently
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. As much as it has been talked about by groups and politicians, there is no empirical evidence to point to that. There will always be evil in the world, but so much of the racial tensions today are brought about by those trying to divide us, to keep people angry. To quote the great Thomas Sowell, “Racism is not dead, but it is on life support -- kept alive by politicians, race hustlers and people who get a sense of superiority by denouncing others as 'racists'”. This is a country that, despite its flaws, is the greatest country on Earth and offers unprecedented freedom and the ability for all people to thrive.
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) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
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?
The first and most important duty of government is to protect its people, both in times of war as well as in protecting the individual liberty of people, specifically their inalienable rights. The government is not supposed to provide program after program. As Thomas Jefferson said, “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”
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).
I have never before been a politician or run for political office, so my “public record” is limited. But my values and beliefs are clear and concise, and anyone can know that by speaking to my friends, co-workers, church community and family as well as the way I live my life.
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?
The past few years have been a stark reminder of how important it is for our representatives in government to listen to, and fight for, the needs of their constituents.  We have seen private businesses suffer due to unnecessary mandates and regulations, individual liberties compromised by an overreaching government, and the safety of our neighborhoods put at risk. When I saw the opportunity to represent the neighborhoods that I have called home for most of my life, I could not help but to answer the call. I am running for Kentucky State Representative in District 31 because I have a passionate love for my community, the city of Louisville and the state of Kentucky. This isn’t just a place I live…this is my HOME, and has been my entire life. It’s the home of my family too…I have 9 family members that live in District 31, so every decision I make in Frankfort will be in the best interests of those I love the most. Protecting individual liberties, fighting to keep taxes low, eliminating unnecessary regulations and mandates, and providing a safe, healthy environment for our kids to learn and thrive are just a few of the important issues I will focus on in Frankfort.
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?
Our first amendment is only as good as our second amendment. We have a Constitutional right to defend ourselves, and this right belongs to all law-abiding citizens.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Do you support the expansion of gambling in Kentucky?
Yes
As someone who believes in personal liberty and individual responsibility, I am not conflicted in my support for sports gaming while also supporting horse racing in Kentucky.
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
