Jay Kilmartin

Republican | South Carolina

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

Jay Kilmartin


Party

Republican


Election Year

2024


Election

Republican Primary


Race

State Rep., Dist. 85


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Jay Kilmartin websites
Jay Kilmartin phones Jay Kilmartin emailFacebookXYouTubeInstagramLinkedIn

EDUCATION

University of South Florida, Tampa, Public Communications, 1996

Edison Community College, Ft. Myers, AA, 1991

WORK & MILITARY

Candidate did not provide

AFFILIATIONS

Habitat for Humanity, Board Member, Mom and Pop Alliance

Board Member, Grace Point Church, Deacon

SOAR Christian Athletic League, Board Member, Grace Point Presbyterian

Worship Band, Riverbend Community Church, Worship Band

Dutch Fork Church, Worship Band

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

3RD Vice Chair Lexington County Republican Party, <1

Executive Committeeman, 2022

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Candidate did not provide

SCORECARDS

CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS


LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (6)

*Donald Trump

Veterans For America First

Stand For Health Freedom

Conservative Political Action Coalition CPAC

*South Carolina Conservative Future

OTHER (1)

Professional Fire Fighters Association of South Carolina

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Congressman Ralph Norman

SC Firefighters Association

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (6)

State Republican Party Organizations (2024)

Kelly Cooper (2023)

Lee Bright (2018)

Sheri Few (2017)

Ted Cruz (2016)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)

OTHER INFORMATION

The candidate responded to Freedom Voter Guide's questionnaire. 

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

And abortion should be allowed when the mothers life is in danger.

Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

Strongly Agree

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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.

Neutral


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Under what circumstances can government close churches?

None

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree

Again, the business should be able to do what it wants, and let the chips fall if they are a terrible employer. If their customers disagree with their decisions, the customers should stop patronizing them.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

I think the US relationship with Israel is extremely important. I hope the federal government continues to be an ally of theirs for decades to come.


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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

C

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

None.


ECONOMY

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

The state should not pick and choose winners in the private sector. They give tax breaks to private companies but they do not stop spending so someone else has to pay them.

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I believe the free market should take care of itself. If you are a good employer, you will keep your employees. You will effectively compete with the lower wage employers.

Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?

No

I don’t think we should invest state funds in globalist political movements that try to socially engineer society.


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Strongly Agree

Make no mistake, this is a well planned and organized invasion.


EDUCATION

The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.

Strongly Agree

100% agree. We passed some good ESA legislation this year, but there is more work to be done. PACE should be a top priority.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Strongly Disagree

I support the opposite.


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

No convicted felons of violent crimes should be allowed own firearms.

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?

Yes


ABOUT YOU

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

To protect us from foreign and domestic enemies.

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


VALUES

Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.

Strongly Agree

Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.

Choose not to answer

I believe parents have the right to make all decisions for their minor children unless it does physical harm to the child.

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Strongly Disagree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Agree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a Christ follower and I seek him daily for wisdom and intervention in my decisions.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.

Strongly Disagree


EQUALITY

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

The race baiters who are trying to divide us are a threat. There is a cottage industry that thrives on our division.

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Strongly Disagree

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.

C

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Short term we need to use natural gas. Longer term nuclear is the answer.

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