Ed Gallrein

Republican | Kentucky

Candidate Profile

Conservative (Conditional)

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Ed Gallrein


Party

Republican


Election Year

2024


Election

Primary


Race

State Senator, Dist. 7


Incumbent

No


Links

Ed Gallrein websites

EDUCATION

Murray State University, Murray, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, 1981

Murray State University, Murray, Master of Science in Agriculture/Economics

Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Master of Arts in National Security Affairs/Intelligence

Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Master of Science in Financial Management

USAF War College, Montgomery, Master of Science in Strategic Studies

U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College, Colorado Springs/El Paso, Graduate

U.S. Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Graduate

WORK & MILITARY

Certified Joint Service Officer, Fully Joint Professional Military Education Qualified

U.S. Navy, Navy SEAL Commodore and Captain (Senior Navy SEAL Officer)

U.S. Army, Army Ranger Qualified

Certified Agile Methodology Practitioner, Scrum Master and Scrum Product Owner

Certified Executive and Organizational Development Coach

Certified Post-Secondary Instructor (CPI/Adult Educator)

Certified Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt/Expert Level)

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

AFFILIATIONS

Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Member, Kentucky Soybean Growers

Member, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Member

NRA, Certified Rifle and Pistol Instructor, Underwater Demolition Team-SEAL Association’s Mid-South Chapter

President, SEAL Veterans Foundation, Ambassador

U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security, Senior Military Advisor

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Candidate did not provide

OTHER INFORMATION

Recommended by the Kentucky Right to Life organization.

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Only when the pregnancy threatens the immediate life of the mother.

I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Strongly Disagree

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree


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?

Never.


NATIONAL SECURITY

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

Yes. As a veteran who has served over in the Middle East, I know first hand why maintaining a relationship with a partner like Israel is important to stability in the region. Not only do we have a democratic society with western values in Israel, but we also have a friend who is holding the line in a dangerous part of the world. I proudly stand with Israel and the Jewish people.


HEALTHCARE

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

Bodily autonomy is vital for a free society. I trust individuals and families to make the right decisions for themselves and our communities.

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


ECONOMY

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

No

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I oppose government mandates to raise the minimum wage. Businesses and customers are already saddled with enough costs thanks to rising inflation and bureaucratic red tape. The best way to raise wages is free enterprise and competitive markets.

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

Strongly Agree


IMMIGRATION

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

Strongly Agree


EDUCATION

I support a constitutional amendment that would allow Kentucky’s General Assembly to set up a school choice program to allow dollars to follow children to the school of their choice.

Strongly Agree

Voters should have the option to decide whether they want our current system or if they want to give parents the chance to choose where their kids go to school.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Strongly Disagree

I fully Back the Blue.


2ND AMENDMENT

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

We need to enforce the laws on the books and make sure that Kentuckians who seek to protect themselves and their family, as well as provide food, are able to do so without interference from the government. I'm a lifelong member of the NRA and believe our rights should not be infringed upon.

Faculty who are licensed to carry and have had ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school in order to respond to an active shooter situation.

Strongly Agree


OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

Do you support the expansion of gambling in Kentucky?

No


ABOUT YOU

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

I am a Reagan Republican. I believe in smaller government, lower taxes, and safer communities. Any responsibility the government takes on, which should be limited, it should do well. From our infrastructure to protecting our communities, we should make sure our taxpayer dollars are well spent and that those who serve are honored and taken care of for their service.

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

No

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

No

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

I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.

Strongly Disagree

Parental rights are a fundamental right, and parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.

Strongly Agree

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

Strongly Agree

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a proud Christian Conservative Republican, ready to stand up for what is right. I'm a native Kentuckian and share the values of my community. I'm a husband, father of 4, grandfather of 4, 5th generation family farmer, Career active-duty Navy SEAL & Army Ranger combat Veteran w/3 Bronze Stars, and a Veteran’s non-profit leader. I returned home to Kentucky after 30 years of deployment and resumed the life I’m most passionate about: Family farming & community service. I am seeking to continue to serve as a State Senator for “We the People” of Senate District 7.

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


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

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

I support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Strongly Disagree

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

Strongly Disagree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

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

I believe in an all-of-the-above strategy. The Biden Administration has followed in the foot steps of President Obama and his War on Coal. We need to maximize our capabilities in everything from coal to natural gas to renewable resources.

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 and C

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