Terry Hatton
Republican | Kentucky
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Dayton High School, Dayton, KY, High School Diploma, 1974-1978
WORK & MILITARY
United States Army, Sergeant (E-5), 1978-1983
AFFILIATIONS
Bellevue Vets Club, President and Past President, 1998-2026
ASIS, Chapter Chair, 1985-2026
Knights of Columbus, Knight, 2019-2026
Divine Mercy Parish, 1995-2026
Campbell County Republican County, Member, 2022-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Bellevue City Council, 2004-2004
Bellevue City Council, 2018-2018
Bellevue City Council, 2022-2022
State Representative HD67, 2023-2024
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Freedoms Heritage Forum
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Terry Hatton (2026)
State Republican Party Organizations (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
John Schickel (2026)
Terry Hatton (2026)
Bluegrass Committee (2024)
Daniel Fister (2024)
David Hale (KY ) (2024)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
United Assoc of Journeymen & Apprentices - Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Industry (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In the case of rape, incest, or the mother's life is in danger.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Agree
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
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 market and the economy should determine wages, not government mandates. The appropriate minimum wage will also vary from state to state based on the cost of living.
I support using taxpayer funds to lobby the state legislature.
Strongly Disagree
This is a waste of tax payer dollars.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1. Continue to Audit State Spending & Cut Wasteful Bureaucracy 2. Prioritize Core Government Services 3. Protect Taxpayer Dollars and Ensure Fiscal Responsibility
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The separation of church and state means protecting religious liberty by preventing the government from establishing or controlling religion. Everyone is entitled to freedom of religion under the First Amendment to the Constitution. I am a practicing Catholic and Christian, and that is how I live my life and what goes into my decision making.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
The government shouldn't put mandates on private businesses and individuals. That is government overreach.
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.
Mostly B. I agree that healthcare costs are rising, and for many people it has become difficult to access affordable care, especially in rural parts of the state. Reforms need to be made, and fraud, waste, and abuse need to be identified and stopped. These solutions can help reduce healthcare costs and ease the financial burden on those with private insurance who often end up covering those expenses through higher premiums.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Disagree
I can see the pros and cons of this, and I understand the intentions behind it. However, I believe this would be government overreach and an invasion of privacy. What may start out with good intentions could eventually lead to government abuse and corruption. I don't believe the government should maintain a database of people's personal medical conditions.
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?
Yes. Israel is one of our strongest allies in the Middle East, and we must stand with Israel and continue to fight against antisemitism. However, when it comes to military involvement, I do not believe it is our responsibility to write blank checks or indefinitely fund the wars of any country, not just Israel. A strong alliance is important, and Israel is a valuable partner to the United States, but our foreign policy should also prioritize fiscal responsibility and America's national interests.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
I am against sanctuary cities. The moment someone enters the United States illegally, they have broken the law. We are a nation of laws, and those laws should be enforced consistently. I support legal immigration, but I do not support policies that protect individuals who are in the country illegally from law enforcement of our immigration laws.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Local control is better because it is closer to the people. Educational needs vary from state to state and even from school district to school district.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My faith is the foundation of my life. As a practicing Catholic, I believe every person is created in the image of God and should be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. I believe that Jesus is the son of God, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for everyones sins, and rose three days later.
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
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Strongly Agree
I worry about government overreach with this, but see the positives that come with it to bring tax revenue to the state.
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's upbringing, including their religious, health, and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Attempts to transition or encourage a child to transition to the opposite sex constitutes child abuse.
Strongly Agree
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
You can't fly, drive a car, purchase a home, or apply for social services without an ID, so why would you be allowed to vote in our elections without one? America deserves safe and secure elections. Myself and many others fought and died for the freedom to elect our leaders and that right shouldn't be abused.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Government policies should treat every American equally under the law, regardless of race. People should be chosen based on merit, not race alone.
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
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Coal and natural gas (resources)
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Neutral
The Earth has always gone through periods of warming and cooling. I think those natural cycles are an important part of the conversation. While people may have some impact on the climate, I don't believe every change is caused by humans. We should take care of the environment without hurting our economy and driving up energy costs.
ABOUT YOU
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?
Conservative
I would consider myself more conservative on most social and policy issues. However, I am running to represent the entire district, not just Republicans or Democrats. Cutting taxes, improving our education system, securing critical infrastructure, and supporting law enforcement, veterans, and small businesses shouldn't be partisan issues. They are common-sense priorities. I am focused on bringing people together, delivering results, and giving back to the community that has given so much to me.
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
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
To hold criminals accountable. I 100% support the men and women of law enforcement and will always have their backs.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
This is not part of our Constitution.
The government should use automated-enforcement cameras to track speeding and criminal activity.
Neutral
I see the pros and cons of this. I understand the concerns about the government invading people's privacy, but I also see how it could help improve public safety. The problem arises when the government abuses this authority, and that is when it becomes an issue. However, if used responsibly, it can be a valuable tool for solving crimes and protecting our communities.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Everyone has the right to bear arms. However, criminals, convicted felons, and those with serious mental health issues who intend to cause harm lose that right.
