O.C. "OJ" Oleka
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
O.C. "OJ" Oleka
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
Primary
Race
State Treasurer
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Bellarmine University, Louisville, Ph.D., 2020
Bellarmine University, Louisville, MBA, 2016
University of Louisville, Louisville, BS, 2010
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Office of Kentucky State Treasurer Allison Ball, Chief of Staff and Deputy Treasurer, Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities
President, Multiply Church, Host Team Leader and Small Group Leader
Sojourn Midtown Church, Connect Team, BSideU for Life Pregnancy Care Center
Donor, State Financial Officers Foundation, Board of Directors
Kentucky Nonprofit Network, Board of Directors, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Board Member, Bellarmine University, Adjunct Professor
Heiner-Crosbie for Kentucky, Campaign Opersations
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 (1)
*Kentucky Right to Life Association (KRTL)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Kentucky Right to Life
Kentucky Treasurer Allison Ball
State Representative Ken Fleming
State Representative Nancy Tate
State Representative Jim DuPlessis
OTHER INFORMATION
Interview of candidate.
Information on candidate.
More information on candidate.
More information on candidate.
More information on candidate.
More information on the candidate.
More information on the candidate.
More information on the candidate.
O.C. "OJ" Oleka participated in a KET debate for State Treasurer on 4/24/2023.*
*Debate occurred after the voter guide was published and was not considered in candidate evaluation.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am 100% pro-life and am proud to be endorsed by Kentucky Right to Life. For the last 15 years, I have been a passionate advocate for the pro-life movement in Kentucky. As State Treasurer, I will make sure life is valued and protected.
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?
Although the Kentucky State Treasurer has no explicit role in tax policy, I will be a voice for lower taxes for working families and for a tax code that helps make Kentucky a destination for new jobs and economic development. High taxes are bad for families and small businesses, and I think the Republican-led General Assembly has made great progress in this area since fully becoming the majority party.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Although the Kentucky State Treasurer isn’t part of the state budgeting process (that power is reserved for the General Assembly and Governor), it is incumbent on every public official to find the most efficient and effective uses of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. For example, I will promote spending efficiency in the State Treasurer’s office by eliminating as many paper checks as possible. Currently, it costs 64 cents to print, sign and send a check to someone in Kentucky. It costs only 3 cents to send that payment electronically.
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?
The free exercise of religion is a bedrock American principle protected by the First Amendment, and Governor Beshear’s unjust closing of churches was an egregious abuse of power. And, as it turns out, his entire policy of lockdowns and scolding his fellow Kentuckians was a complete failure.
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?
I do not believe in Covid vaccine mandates. Personal medical decisions should be made in conjunction with medical doctors, not government decrees.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
The United States is the greatest force for good the world has ever known, and we are all indebted to the members of the US Military who have fought against radical Islamic terrorists around the world. The United States should actively protect our national interests at home and abroad especially against the evils of radical Islamic terrorism. But we should be judicious in our world engagements and ensure the deployment of the US Military is truly in our national interest in each specific circumstance. If radical Islamic terrorists are threatening America and Americans, we have a responsibility to defeat them the way President Trump defeated the ISIS Caliphate during his administration.
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?
My parents legally immigrated to this country to pursue the American Dream. They went from poverty to prosperity in a single generation because of America’s greatness and Kentucky’s goodness, and I am running so every Kentucky family can have this same opportunity. While the Kentucky State Treasurer has no formal role in U.S. immigration policy, I support a measured and thoughtful approach that welcomes hardworking immigrants like my parents and rejects those who would do us harm. I do not believe in amnesty for people who enter the country illegally, and I believe those who wish to come here under our rules and laws for the purpose of working and building a better life for their family should be welcomed.
EDUCATION
Do you support a constitutional amendment that would allow Kentucky’s educational dollars to follow children to the school of their choice?
Yes
I was proud to attend a National School Choice Week rally at the State Capitol this year, as I have done every year since 2016, to show my support for Kentucky students.
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 and sexual orientation 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.
My Christian faith is at the center of my life and my family, and my wife and I are volunteer small group leaders at our church. These values guide my decisions, and I work every day to live them and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to my daughters so that they may one day know Him and call Him Lord and Savior.
Parental rights are a fundamental right. Stronger legal protections are needed to ensure that parents are empowered to protect their right to direct their children’s upbringing, education, and healthcare.
Strongly Agree
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
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
While the Kentucky State Treasurer has no formal role in election policy, I support practices that promote integrity and security in every Kentucky election. It should be easy to vote and hard to cheat.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
There is no place for racism in our country, and great Kentuckians like Abraham Lincoln valiantly fought to uphold the fundamental ideals of our great nation.
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.
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 purpose of government is to protect life and preserve liberty so that individuals and families can create voluntarily community and live out their God given purpose. The American system – republican government infused with free enterprise – has created the most prosperous, freest nation in the history of the world. It is why my parents immigrated here to achieve the American Dream. As State Treasurer, I will defend our American way of life and preserve that opportunity for all Kentuckians.
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).
a. Interview on my background and beliefs: https://www.facebook.com/OlekaforKY/videos/766820611470827 b. Endorsement from Kentucky Treasurer Allison Ball: https://fb.watch/jseW8RbRnV/ c. Endorsement from Kentucky Right to Life: https://fb.watch/jseX-xW6rI/ d. My website is: www.olekaforky.com
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?
After several months of prayer, my wife and I made this decision because we believe that Kentucky needs an experienced conservative leader as the next State Treasurer who can immediately step into the position and do the job on Day One. We also need a Treasurer who can promote the greatness of America and the goodness of Kentucky. The most important initiative I want to accomplish during my term is protecting taxpayer dollars from illegal, wasteful, and abusive spending. I would focus on stopping waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars, increase budget transparency and efficiency at the state and local level, and improve financial literacy for Kentuckians. I would also protect Kentucky pensions against political partisanship, by only allowing the state to work with financial institutions that would do business with the Kentucky energy industry. I would prevent environmental, social, governance (ESG) policies from singling Kentucky businesses and hurting our retired teachers, police officers, and public employees. Our financial institutions should be fair and honest and work to get the best return for our pensioners and their beneficiaries.
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?
We should reject any new restrictions on Kentuckians’ Second Amendment Rights. As State Treasurer, I will always protect Kentuckians’ fundamental and constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment. Only by preserving and defending the American Dream can we help every Kentuckian have the opportunity to achieve it.
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?
No
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
