Doug Kern
Republican | Minnesota
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
Doug Kern
Party
Republican
Election Year
2025
Election
Special Primary SD6
Race
State Senate, Dist. 6
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Wadena High School, Wadena, Graduate, 1981
WORK & MILITARY
Wadena Technical, 2 Year Degree, 1981-3
AFFILIATIONS
Living Word North, Sunday School Teacher-35+ years
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Republican Chair Crow WIng County, 14+
Crow Wing Township Supervisor, 7+
Crow Wing Association of Townships Organization (CWATO), 6+
Region 5, 4+
Greater Lakes Association of Realtors Government Affairs Board (GLAR), 8+
Crow Wing Republican Executive Board, 4+
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
Previous Races
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
The Omnibus Podcast - Interview with Doug Kern REP State Senate Candidate.
Brainerd Dispatch: Opinion Letter by Doug Kern November 05, 2022, "No to progressives."
2025 Lakes Area Voting Guide: Candidate Doug Kern.
Doug Kern's responses to iVG 2022 Questionnaire.
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
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
We are talking 2 lives-never. I am #7 out of 14 Children. My Dad & Mom had to decide in 1972 who to save, The premature Baby or Mom. They told the doctor to either loose them both or save them both. They did almost loose both, but they saved both & I have a 50+ year old Brother to prove it. For anyone to say technology has not improved since 1972, we can see the Babies heartbeat with ultrasound. And if it beats-it is alive. You stop my heart-I die, you stop a Babies they die.
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 Disagree
Again you are stopping a Beating Heart by burning the Baby Alive, this should not be.
iVoterGuide Notes:
After
the voter guide was published, the candidate notified iVoterGuide that they
intended to answer this question as ‘Strongly Agree'.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
As a Christian Man, I should not be forced to pay for this anywhere, anytime, in any stage of a Pregnancy. My website MnRecall.com touches Born Alive Babies. I am a firm believer Christians do not realize they are funding this in Minnesota. recently asked our Church if they believe Abortion is "Reproductive Healthcare"-Resounding "NO". Then I asked if they knew they are paying for all abortions--for anyone, anytime, any age. Let them know there is no record keeping or parental right either.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Agree
From Conception to natural death, life is precious. Society is to care for the elderly not kill them.
iVoterGuide Notes:
After the voter guide was published, the candidate notified iVoterGuide that they intended to answer this question as ‘Strongly Disagree’.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Owning 3 Businesses, we are American Privileged. Anyone in America can achieve the "American Dream"- if you work.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Entry level jobs were never intended to support Families, that is why they are entry level. As seen in Minneapolis a few years ago- a person who went to college and worked hard to get to $15+ hr. is now competing with entry level jobs same $.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
NEVER. It is the fundamental reason the Pilgrims went searching for a New World called America. To be free to worship. "Separation of Church & State" is designed to keep the State from telling the Church what to do.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
If I owned a cleaning Business & Planned Parenthood called for service, I would decline. We have a right to determine where we work & how.
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.
B-C is the closest-Competition is good when not mandated.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
NEVER
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
After the voter guide was published, the candidate notified iVoterGuide that they intended to answer this question as ‘Strongly Agree’.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
As Israel goes-so will we. Only actual ally we have in that region
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Disagree
Good fences make good neighbors
iVoterGuide Notes:
After the voter guide was published, the candidate notified iVoterGuide that they intended to answer this question as ‘Strongly Agree’.
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
Competition raises the standard for excellence
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
DEI/CRT have to be replaced with American Exceptionalism being taught
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Parents are called Adults, Children are called minors
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.
Strongly Disagree
God's Idea: One Adam for One Eve. If God had made it Adam & Steve-the Good Book would have been a one pager-they lived & then they died. And you wouldn't be here.
iVoterGuide Notes:
After the voter guide was published, the candidate notified iVoterGuide that they intended to answer this question as ‘Strongly Agree’.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Strong. If God's Word the BIBLE says it-Believe it
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
If this happened we would be ruled by New York & Los Angeles
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Absolutely not, Stupidity is. As Americans, anyone can achieve the highest office in the land-Like Obama did. It was a proud day in American history when he became President: It showed how we are not a "Racist" Nation. I disagreed with him on just about every level, but that day was still a proud day in my American History.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
See above, American Exceptionalism is what we need to go back to
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 Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
After the voter guide was published, the candidate notified iVoterGuide that they intended to answer this question as ‘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.
A-anything with a noose around it is not free
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Coal
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 Serve & Protect-Mainly to protect
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
When Freedom is presented properly, on all levels-we win. If we aren't winning maybe our messaging needs to change-BUT NEVER the message
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I Support our Local Police-I will never "Re-Imagine" the honorable duties the perform while serving us.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Guns do not kill, people kill people. Red Flag laws are anti American
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
