EL'ona Kearney
Democrat | Washington
Candidate Profile
Liberal (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
EL'ona Kearney
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Central Florida Community College
Renton Technical College
Evergreen State College
WORK & MILITARY
United States Army, Military Intelligence Officer
AFFILIATIONS
Founded a nonprofit organization focused on teaching youth about the legislative process
Interned with a State Representative, Licensed process server/ Licenced notary
HeadStart program trustee
Homeschool group educator, Forgiveness coach
Junior Vice Commander vfw 1263
Leadership roles in veterans' clubs and student government,, Lobbying for college funding and crafting bill proposals
Citrus County Community Alliance, Founder
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
ActBlue (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
EL'ona Kearney completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Survey in 2024.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Life threatening, rape, incest, sex trafficking, the safety of the child will be at risk.
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).
Choose not to answer
This tends to be a surface argument on sexual choices vs life threatening decisions. Due to the restrictions on women with Medicaid, we cannot get tubal ligations therefore preventing unwanted pregnancies.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
We did not have self-determination in regard to how we entered this world , at least give people some dignity on how they want to exit. I believe there should be parameters and a deeper awareness. There are people who are terminally ill and living in misery.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
The focus should be on creating a thriving economy with ample opportunities for employment and upward mobility, rather than relying on government-mandated wage controls. people
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
No, if the goal is to support small businesses and companies that do not necessarily meet the criteria for ESG incentives, this can potentially be disenfranchising in a way that negatively impacts both businesses and consumers.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
If it is a condemned building or infringes on the safety and rights of others.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I disagree. I cannot go into a Jewish/Muslim restaurant and demand they serve pork products. If you do not like what is on the menu there are other options, which is why as the spear tip of the free world, we lead the way in the rights of individuals as well as businesses.
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
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None, it is a person’s right to be well informed and make the choices as to what they want to put in their bodies. The moment we force something against someone's will, believe, or otherwise we are then no longer a free nation.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Having served in Military Intelligence, as governor, we will ensure we are implementing means to secure the privacy and safety of our citizens. We will continue to update those protocols to stay ahead of the constant upgrades that happen.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Our relationship with all countries is important. International relations promote cooperation, exchange and cultural development. With that said, we should never prioritize the needs and safety of others before the needs of American citizens.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
The U.S. should strengthen the physical security of the southern border. It is the government's responsibility to protect our borders, similar to other countries. Unfortunately, our border security is among the least restrictive, reflecting a failure in leadership and policy. As an American veteran, our vetting process needs more support to reduce contraband and human trafficking entering through our borders and airlines.
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
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child, giving parents the freedom to choose between public, private, or homeschool options. As a homeschooling parent, the 14th Amendment supports our right to equal educational opportunities for our children. Public funds should provide unbiased, equitable access to resources like libraries, schools, and parks.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
I agree. Children are growing, learning, and finding who they are and where they belong. Each home has its own set of values, and we do not have a right to impose our beliefs on others. When a child is 18, they have the right to take the path they choose.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
As much as someone might not like this, but parents have the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness extend to their family vision. When that child is 18 or older, or emancipated, then those rights become their own. We should provide mediation and parenting programs that can help with family relations.
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.
Choose not to answer
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe my relationship with God is personal and not defined by someone’s doctrine. There is a difference between condemnation and conviction. We all are accountable for our choices, and we also make ourselves accountable when we make choices for others.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I disagree. We need to have checks and balances to ensure that it is a fair and due process in our system.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Choose not to answer
As of now, the NPVIC has been adopted by 16 states and the District of Columbia, totaling 196 electoral votes. It will only take effect once enough states have joined to reach a combined total of 270 electoral votes, the majority needed to win the presidency. When I am governor, I will make a consensus based on the will of the people. Until then, we must work within the confines of the system we have.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Respectfully as a Black woman, this topic has not been one about healing or progress. It has been weaponized to be dismissive of the intergenerational trauma that needs to be addressed. Rather than pointing fingers of blame, we should be addressing issues.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Choose not to answer
As it pertains to Washington state law, E2SSB 5227 defines CRT for school age not for students but training that educators can optout of on how to understand the culture and customs of their students to better relate learning to them. In the medical field, Black women die at a higher rate giving birth, so it opens up studies to find solutions.
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.
There is a more common-sense approach than these options.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I do not believe one size fits all solutions. We are surrounded by water. We can use a combination of hydro, gas, and electricity. It is the way we are going about things that is more about getting rich rather than addressing climate impact.
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?
The general purpose of government is to create laws that overall keep a balance between people rights being infringed upon and managing a budget that creates basic fundamental abilities for everyone to have accessible structure or information to be able to live. At its core, the government is in service to the people. Otherwise, the people have a right and a duty to replace those in power.
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?
Choose not to answer
As a Conservative Democrat, when I consider my views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, I would describe myself overall as someone who values a balanced approach.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Choose not to answer
We need our law enforcement. Our government has funding for community programs, we need to assess if they are reaching the people they are meant to serve and if the accountability measures are being implemented.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
To protect public safety, we need reasonable restrictions on gun ownership not laws that disenfranchise law-abiding citizens and embolden criminals. As a veteran and NRA member, responsible gun owners are unfairly targeted. Instead of blaming each other, we should unite against those who disregard laws and safety. By bringing all parties together, we can find common ground to ensure safe communities.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Choose not to answer
I am about addressing all possibilities that ensure the safety of our children. It is a tough and complex issue that needs us to think carefully about safety, the proper training for teachers, legal concerns, and how it affects education. Many people feel that there are better ways to make schools safer that do not involve the potential dangers of having guns in the classroom.
